The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1914-04-16
BARS RULING CLASS
Revolutions Not Fashionable in
Little Costa RIGA.
Statement That Proud Central Amer
lean Country Is Owned by Big
Fruit Company Branded as
Unfair-Elections.

New York-Almost on the very day
that the American newspapers an
nounced again that President Wilson
intended to establish a protectorate
over all Central America the little re-
public of Costa RIGA was peacefully
holding her presidential election.
There were three candidates-votes
are cast and counted in Costa RIGA
and of the three, M. Fernandez re-
ceived some $4,000; Doctor Duran, IT,
500, and Senior Iglesias about $4,000
votes. The campaign had been going
on for months, with a Spanish-Ameri-
can equivalent of the speeches and pro-
more fiction than could be worked Off
in the sonorous and satisfying tongue
of Cervantes. Yet none had a ma
joritJ;, Arthur Ruhl writes in Golfers,
and as revolutions are not fashionable
in Costa RIGA and haven't been for
many years, there is nothing to do but
wait peacefully until congress decides
the matter next May.
Meanwhile Doctor Duran and Senior
Iglesias have agreed on a fusion OF
their forces for the purpose of elect
ing deputies to the one-chamber legis-
lature, and just what will happen to
the popular choice, the more radical
Fernandez, remains to be seen.
The Costa Rican constitution for
bids president to hold Office for two
consecutive terms, and this command
is respected. In short, allowing for
the necessary differences, Costa Rica
is a republic in somewhat the sense
that North Americans understand the
word. When the first rumor Of Cen
trail American protectorate was cabled
southwark last summer the San Jose
newspapers called a meeting for that
evening at which all patriots should
rally to the defense of the imperiled
fatherland. President Jiminez's reply
to the queries of an American newspa-
per as to whether Costa RIGA would
welcome such an arrangement as was
then suggested for Nicaragua was that
Costa RIGA could have the friendliest
relation with the United States with
eighty
The "Ticos,' as the Costa Ricans are
Familiarity called, have no use for Ze
layas or Estrada Cabreras. Nor can
one speak of ruling class as that
term is used in Mexico and Guatemala
because the land is mostly divided
into small holdings and the best land
is owned by comparatively poor peo
pie.
Although these two republics adjoin
each other, the United States is closer
for most practical purposes, than Mica
ragua There is almost no communica
ton by way of the Atlantic coast OF
overland, and once the steamer has
left the roadstead at Punta Arenas, on
the Pacific side, it is likely to mean a
fortnight before another letter can &c
from San Jose to the capital of Mica
ragua. But it is only four days to
New Orleans, and big white "fruiter'
bound thither, or to New York, or else
where, is almost always waiting 1t is
sometimes said that the United Fruit
company owns" Costa RIGA. This is
unfair, for notwithstanding the steady
ing effect which such a powerful or
ganization exerts, the banana business
of the coast lowlands is world by it.
self, and does not explain the thrift
and beauty of the main highland val
ley, where every hillside is checker
board of fields.