Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-01-28
PERSH|NC LEAVES,
URGING FAIR VOTE
Pleads for Sportsmanlike
/ Conduct of PIebisCite.
Hopes to Return Soon.
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
AFRICA, Chile, January 2S.-
Gen. John j. Pershing, president OF
the Tacna africa plebiscitary commits
sion. sailed yesterday afternoon on the
United States cruiser Denver tol
Hhome. There was Il large crowd al
the pier to bid him farewell. Previ
,ously he had been deluged by fare
fwen calls.
s. Gen. Pershing refused to make any
further statement regarding the pie
hiscitary situation than was contained
an his proclamation
( 1t is understood that Gen. PerShins
believes the state of his health Is such
as to permit of a cure within a rela'
lively short time, when he Will be able
to return to complete his mission
Issues Statement.
Gen. Pershing, prior TO his sailing,
Issued a proclamation Ito the people
of the plebiSCitary area" which says:
"Ip addressing a word to the
electorate OF the province prior to my
departure for a period of temporary
absence it pleases me to say that my
already deep interest in Il just out
come of the plebsCite is increased
with my personal experience among
piness have become my SinCerest wish.
Indeed primarily, the Importance of
the plebiscite is largely based on the
measure of contentment it will bring
the people.
"As president of the commission
my sole thought has been to insure
to all the electors in the plebiscite the
right unmolested to express their will
at the polls, and thus peaceably de-
termine the eventual sovereignty over
the territory. which holds so much
that Is for them worth while.
just Rules Adopted.
After most careful consideration
just rules and regulations under the
award have been adopted by the COM
mission TO fix qualifications and safe
guard the rights of the voters on both
sides of the contest. Strict applica-
ton of these rules will provide an op-
portunity for all the electors freely to
register their names and cast their
votes. In any fair and honest plebiscite
the people are expected to mingle in
a spirit Of friendly federation on both
sides. Any act during the period that
might interfere with the freedom and
independence of the people would di-
rectly violate the obligation that every
participant owes his neighbor.
If justice Is to prevail, as it must
we Shall see the contestants foster
ana encourage amicable relations with
each other and maintain toward each
lother an attitude of difference and
consideration. Every worthy patriot
ief either party will frankly acknowl.
gedge and respect the patriotic senti-
ments of his opponents. Every one
who violates this spirit thus declares
himself unpatriotic and an enemy to
his country'S cause.
1T IS not weakness to be tolerant
nor sacrifice to be fair. Both are de-
imanded by patriotism. Intolerance by
the over Jealous is inconsistent with
the maintenance of law and order.
without Which there can be neither a
just nor a peaceful solution of the
problem.
Urges Sportsmanship.
:. 1T is Of little value to proclaim
that each elector has the right to vote
according to the dictates of his own
sconscience unless both contestants
adopt and honestly adhere to a sports
,1nan's ideas Of square deal.
That men should adhere to their
heritage of patriotism Is worthy; they
should command respect instead of
luminosity. Without harmony and
igood feeling neither peace nor happi-
mess is possible, but where there is
tolerance and friendly cooperation,
bitterness and hatred must disappear.
Between all peoples there is an
obligation that rests upon the edu-
.cated and refined to teach the less
fortunate moderation and forbearance,
and it ought to be the aim of recog-
nized leadership to promote and en-
courage mutual understanding and
Z fair dealing
I'VE are not only engaged in a con-
Z test for. title to this historic province,
Ebut we are here to carry out legally a
.solemn agreement made between two
great peoples to open the door of last
ing peace between them. Response
Sbility falls to the leaders. and electo.
srate ofsboth sides to adopt generous
tolerance toward their political oppo-
Rents.
T! ."With keen interest in the welfare
,of this territory, l wish in conclusion
Ito address myself earnestly to each
! and every Individual, either of high or
low estate, whether Chilean or Peru
lvian, and urge that you do unto 9TH
.ers as you would have others do unto
tyou, and on this firm foundation build
securely an edif1ce of permanent
ipeace."