The Elbert County tribune., 1914-04-03
BARS RULING CLASS
Revolutions Not Fashionable in
Little Costa Rica.
Statement That Proud Central Amer.
lean Country Is Owned by Big
Fruit Company Branded as
Unfalr-EIections-

New York--A1most 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 Rica was peacefully
holding her presidential election
There we're three candidates--votes
are cast and counted In Costa Rica-
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 Spanish-Ameri-
can equivalent of the speeches and pro-
cessions we have at home, and no
more fiction than could be worked OF
In the sonorous and satisfying tongue
OF Cervantes. Yet none had a ma
5ority. Arthur Ruhl writes in Collier g.
and as revolutions are not fashionable
In Costa Rica 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
lglesias have agreed on 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 republic in somewhat the sense
that North Americans understand the
word. When the first rumor of a Cen
tral American protectorate was cabled
southward last summer the San Jose
newspapers called meeting for that
evening at which all patriots should
rally to the defense of the imperiIed
fatherland. President Jiminez's reply
to the queries of an American newspa-
per as to whether Costa Rica would
welcome such an arrangement as was
then suggested for Nicaragua was that
Costa Rica could have the friendliest
relation with the United States with
out surrendering any OF her sover-
eighty
The "Ticos." as the Costa Ricans are
familiarly 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
tion By way of the Atlantic coast OF
overland. and once the steamer has
left the roadstead at Punta Arenas. on
the Pacific side. 1t is likely to mean a
fortnight before another letter can 20
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 Rica. This is
unfair for Notwithstanding the steady.
ing effect which such a powerful or.
ganization exerts. the banana business
of the coast lowlands is a world by 1t.
self. and does net explain the thrift
and beauty of the main highland val
ley. where every hillside is a checker
board of fields.