Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-02-01
Revolution as a Right.

The aptness Of discussions at Havana
over the policy of recognizing de facto
or revolutionary governments as against
recognizing constitutionally elected gov
ernments is emphasized by the re-
minder that 1t was only through revo-
luton that any government represented
at the Pan-American Conference came
into being: that had it been possible to
outlaw" revolution effectively CEN
fury and half ago. the twenty-five in
dependent American nations would be
colonies or dominions owing allegiance
TO Great Britain, Spain and Portugal,
while George Washington. Thomas Mar
shall. Thomas Jefferson. Simon Bolivar,
San Martin. Bernardo O'Higgins and a
host Of others would have lived in his
tory not as great patriots and liberia
tors, but as bandit leaders righteously
suppressed. AS picturesque as such
thoughts may be. however. their value
to the discussion at Havana is wholly
artificial. The policy Of refusing to
recognize revolutionary governments
grew from an abuse. not the rightful
use. of the power of revolution. Revolt
is often justified. But the mere fact
that it is revolt does not justify 1t.
Between 1886 and 1915 there were
twelve Presidents of Haiti. None of
them served his full term Of seven
years. -Four Of them were assassinated
and six were forced to fee from Office.
In 1918 President Guillaume was killed
and two foreign legations in Haiti were
mobbed. The country was reduced to
political and financial disruption. All
Of this resulted from series of 'revo-
lutions," but to extol any Of them as
expressions of the inviolable rights Of
man becomes difiicult indeed. And so
it has been with most Of the other
revolutions which for a century have
retarded the progress and development
Of the countries of Central America and
the Caribbean Some of them may have
been necessary. But nothing Of lasting
good came of any Of them. Revolutions
became expedients for personal ag-
grandizement of a few individuals. The
oppressed became oppressors. and the
oppressors became the oppressed in q
never-ending cycle.
In an effort TO correct such condi-
ton q conference under the leadership Of
Mexico and the United States, original
ing In a proposal from the foreign min
lister of Ecuador. was held In Washing
ton in 1907 and attended by representa-
tives of the Central American govern
ments. It resulted In convention be-
tween these republics not TO recognize
governments coming into power through
revolution or coup d'etat. The conven-
ton was strengthened by q later treaty
entered into by the Central American
governments here In 1923. which made
even more stringent the bans against
revolution. While not a party TO this
treaty. the United States has subscribed
to its principles as they concern Latin
America.
The policy Is not altogether success
full. II refuses TO recognize de facto
government. though that government
may be the best. It does not take into
consideration the impossibility. In some
sections. OF eHecting changes in govern.
nent by constitutional procedure. The
government in power controls the cleo
tons and the ballot boxes. II Is always
victorious. And by denying the oppo-
sition the right OF revolt, relationships
are strengthened. protected and ex-
tended The real issue. however. Is not
the ssnctity OF revolution as a weapon
Of last resort IN the hands Of the OPP
pressed. The issue Is 10 substitute for
armed revolt and bloodshed those or
DERBY processes which peacefully accom-
plish the same end. The United States
is trying 10 do this in Nicaragua. II
would like 70 get out Of Nicaragua II
the Havana conference can suggest q
policy which viii recognize revolution
as right, but prevent anarchy and de-
structive civil war: which will assure
the rights OF the people and not the
rights OF the politicians. and which will
stabilize youthful governments until
, they are themselves stabilized by age
and experience. the United States viii
support II heartily and the Marines Will
be Withdrawn from Nicaragua post
haste In the meantime an academic
discussion Of the theory OF revolution Is
beside the mark and buffers nobocy's
| psrsnips.