The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1914-04-04
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 we're three candidates-votes
are cast and counted in Costa Rica-
and of the three, NJ. Fernandez re-
ceived some $4,000; Doctor Duran, H.
900, and Senior Iglesias about 15,OOO
votes. The campaign had been going
on for months, with a Spanish-Ameri-
can equivalent of the speeches and pro
cessions we have at home, and no
more fiction than could be worked on
in the sonorous and satisfying tongue
Of Cervantes. Yet none had ma
jority, 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
lglesias have agreed on fusion or
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 a 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 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 tina,
Costa RIGA could have the friendliest
relation with the United States with
out surrendering any of her sover
eighty.
The "Ticos," as the Costa Ricans are
Familiarity called, have no use for Re
layas or Estrada Cabreras. Nor car
one speak Of a ruling class as thai
term is used In Mexico and Guatemala
because the land Is mostly divided
into small holdings and the best lane
is owned by comparatively poor peo
pie.
Although these two republics adjoil
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 o.
overland. and once the steamer hal
left the roadstead at Punta Arenas, OF
the Pacific side. It Is likely to mean {
fortnight before another letter can g
from San Jose to the capital Of Mica
ragua. But 1t is only four days t
New Orleans, and big white "fruiter
bound thither, or to New York, or else
where, is almost always waiting. 1t 1
sometimes said that the United Frui
company owns" Costa RIGA. This l
unfair, for notwithstanding the steady
ing effect which such a powerful OF
ganization exerts, the banana bushes
of the coast lowlands is a world by II
self, and does not explain the Thrift
and beauty of the main highland va
ley. where every hillside is checker
board of fields.