The Washington herald., 1908-05-31

been prominent in Nicaragua and is one
OF the wealthiest Of the aristocracy. Ten
years OF his life he spent In travel and
study in Europe and this country. II
was during this period that he worked
out his Presidential plans and began
dreaming Of a United States Of Central
America. When he returned 10 his ma
tive land he at once set about to mater
ialize his schemes, and not long there
after he had dramatically seized the Pres
idency, as already described.
Though the statement is mot in keep
ing with the revolutionary and autocratic
careers of some of them, II is neverthe-
less true that all OF the presidents to the
south of us-with possibly two excep-
tions-have conferred benefits on their
respective countries through realization
OF their presidential ambitions. A GER
tain exception is Nord Alexis, voodoo
worshiper and former page of the notori-
Gus Emperor Chrlstophe, Of Hayti, whose
career was one Of almost unbelievable
atrocities from beginning 10 end. Alexis
has proved himself an apt pupil Of his
old master.
Lived I'm New York City.
There is Alfaro Of Ecuador. Follow
Ing the failure OF one OF his revolutions,
he journeyed to New York City and got
acquainted with Yankee enterprise.
When he became President he decided
that what Ecuador really needed was a
railroad through the mountains which IA
nous European engineers had pronounc-
ed impenetrable even by modern engi-
neering methods AlfarO got New York
capital interested and imported a Virginia
engineer, and in time the wonderful Quay
aquil and Quito Railroad resulted, an en-
terprise which has been Of great value
to the commerce OF the country. Alfaro,
too, put his country on a gold basis.
paid of the national debt, and separated
church and state. all prior to the close
OF HIS first term, thus proving himself
a statesman Of no mean caliber. as well
as revolutionist Of great bravery.
Pardo has awakened throughout Peru
great interest in education. which he has
put under national control He has i'm
ported a number of German professors
and at his solicitation Peruvian students
now go IN large numbers 70 the universi-
ties Of this country and Europe. At the
| present time about 10 Peruvians are
studying here and Ike number in Eu-
rope. Under Pardo the country's rail-
way system has also been enlarged.
Seeks Best Men Available.
Montes has estonAhed the Bolivians
by going outside Of his party in order
20 MI appointive Offices with the best msn
available. Under Reyes Colombia has
( experienced its quietest period in years.
and in Chile Months administration has
been marked by unbroken national prog
ress. Both as President and holder OF
minor offices Alcorta, Of Argentina, has
done much TO promote the agricultural
and commercial prosperity OF that coun-
/ try. Following the revolution Of 1880 he
was one Of the men who restored the f.
] nancial solidty OF the republic Castro
well, II is not the fashion 10 say any
! thing good OF him IN this country, and
/ he probably deserves to be classed with
/ Alexis as a president whose tenure In
Office has resulted in no material good
! for the people.
Alcorta. like. Penna. IS a former uni
versity professor. He taught in the Uni
versity OF San Carlos. an institution
much older than Harvard. Alcorta too
IS a former editor. and as chief Of r
/ Interior welded a large influence before
he took 70 Office holding For years be-
/ fore he became head OF Panama, AmadOl
was one Of the famous physicians OF
! iStlln AIutIlCa. ne Is a speclallst IN yeL
] low fever and nations have consulted
\ him regarding the best methods OF fight
/ ing that dread disease Montt OF Chile
/ has been an ofice-holder the better par
OF his active career; he comes Of one OF
/ Chile's office-holdlng families. Lawyers
! professional revolutionists. emperor:
page. explorer. doctors. professors. adven.
/ turers-such were some or the PRESIDENT
20 the south OF US before they were giveI
or seized their high Offices. Bat only on,
was cattle thief. and that one was
| CiprianO Castro.
lCopynght. los. By the Associated Llterr-v Prs