The Sun and the New York herald., 1920-09-12
New Presidents Rec.
ord Indicates He Is
Well Qualified to
Eradicate ' Evils Of
Old Regime and
Develop Country's
Resources
By W. A. DEvERALL-

TNHE news OF Don Carlos HerorAt
election an Constitutional President q,
Guatemala is heard with satisfaction
by Americans conversAnt with actual cond.
tionS in Central America. Herrera has held
Office as Provisional President under Pres.
dent Wilson's recognition since he wa,
named on April 8 an such by the Guate
mnIan National Assembly. when tina, body
voted 10 depose the Infamous dictator Man.
ueI Estrada Cabrera. having FIRST declared
him mentally unit longer to preside over
his country's destinies. Estrada Cabrera /,
still guarded In prison In the capital city
and the notorious la Palma" his suburban
residence and the place wherein he devised
the novel and iniquitous schemes OF oppres
sion and tyranny for experimentation upon
his fellow countrymen. remains unoccupled
Its grim walls no longer give forth echoes
Of the cries OF unhappy. tortured victims Of
his wrath.
The recent elections returned Herrera vie.
tor1ous by an overwhelming vote. For the
first time In over two decades the Guae.
mAlan people had complete right Of suffragr
at the polls, for during Estrada Cabrera's
dreary term OF office the elections held every
six years were purely farcicai and the
0uatemalans were given the choice 10 vote
for him-the only cAndidAte--or not at all.
Recent news items dealing generally with
the Central American situation hint at In.
ternal unrest in each Of the five fingers
which make up the Central American hand
Rumbllng and grumbiing in Guatemala is
reported, and II these reports are true II is
to be hoped that the unrest win be stnled
now that Herreras administration has been
constitutionaliy seated.
Sharp Contrast in Conditions.
When despOtlsm is cast down and the
reins OF government assumed by progressive
and worthy hands and a people Is given
true liberty Mt last. the scaies soar upward
as the sinister weight Of oppression and
barbarity is lifted from the balance and the
long restrained press and politicians ap
given full sway TO harangue the people.
The radicals and extremists take advan-
tage Of their new freedom in giving vent 10
opinions. They are the peoples safety.
valve. and their utterances and printed
articles their surplus steam. The scales un.
doubtedly win balance as soon as those Of
tho liberty flushed Guatemalans who profess
&c oppose him calm down and realize In har-
mony with the majority Of their countrymA
that Carlos Herrera is qualified and capable
to start them on the way TO national pros
perity and content by giving them an honest
fearless administration. Men conversant
with affairs In Guatemala are optimistic
concerning that country's reversion to the
normal
When factional differences are arranged
the Guatemalans as a unit viii realize the
splendid opportunities they enjoy. Herreras
business acumen and integrity may be taken
as a guarantee to his people Of an intelligent
understanding and efficient hpndling Of the
perplexing problems in the nations financial
rehabilitation.
National rehabilitation" High-soundnE
Eorts. indeed, used in every Presidential
MESSAGE from Central American President
to his Congress-, as well "a by every Central
American Congressman to his constituents
These words having been dramatically
uttered. the orator has run true to form In
making obeisanee to the popular will--hs
duty has been characteristically performed
.aFg.