The Bismarck tribune., 1929-02-21
Dictators Have as Fertile a
Field in South America
as in Europe
PERUVIAN BEST EXAMPLE
one-Man Leaders Firmly En-.
trenched Because Of Revo.
luton Difficulties

Present-day dlctatorshlps may com.
monty be regarded as a European
phenomenon, but Latin America Is
full of them.
The histories of nearly all the
American republics show that they
have often been governed by iron
rulers, frequently military men who
seized power by force Of arms. Sew.
cral countries can easily blame their
lack of progress upon selfish dicta.
tors who rule in their own interests
or those of small proprietary class
and all too often bartered national
resources to foreign interests.
Whatever one may think OF the
system and no matter how much
more one might prefer democratic
government throughout the hemis.
phere, it is usually acknowledged
that Latin-American dictators OF to.
day are a different and better breed,
in most cases, than their predeces.
sors.
Are Firmly Entrenched
In the first place, South Ameri-
can dictators whom the Hoover par
ty met appear to be firmly en-.
trenched. This is partly because rev.
olutions are more difficult to or.
ranize and easier to put down.
The most important point is that
the dictators invariably appear to be
inspired with ideals OF patriotism
and progress with which it is diff
cult to quarrel. They all differ. They
all confront different situations.
Some have seemed unnecessarily
ruthless in maintaining their posi-
tions and others appear to be pay
ing inadequate attention to the up.
lift of poverty-stricken masses. But
ali Law some claim to achievement OF
internal improvements. There may
be a Mussolini or two among them,
but none has demonstrated such bel
ligcrencc.
President Augusta Leguia Of Peru
is probably the best example Of the
modern Latin-American dictator.
Autocratic, but burning with effi-
cheney and patriotism, Leguia Is popu-
lar with his people. For 10 years he
has ruled the roost alone.
Ten years ago he was actually
elected president by large major.
ity, but the existing government
tried to falsifv the returns. Leguis
promptly grabbed the office and .
few years later changed the consti.
tuition to permit his reelection
Once he summarilv deported organi'
zcrs Of 4 coup d'etat against hin
and no. serious opposition to the gov
crnment is permitted today. Leguis
probably will die in office.
With terrific energy despite hi
advanced age, he has hurled himsel!
into a great program Of education
highway construction and agricul
tural and industrial development
the big needs Of most Latin-Ameri
can countries.
In Central America
Central American republics hav'
been accustomed to dictators and q
in many countries Of the south hav'
had long periods Of elections which
\ il not corrupt. invariably returned
the party in power. Election fraud.
coupled with the Latin American.
passionate urge for political control
' have caused most Of the revolts an
!. encouraged relationships.
In the Caribbean tho Unite'
States smiles benevolently on wha
appear to be self-perpetrating dicta
torships in Cuba and Haiti.
Hoover seemed favorably i'm
pressed with each of the dictator
encountered on his tour. There wa
only one side of the picture on dis
play, Of course, and much longe
stay would have been required to en-
able any correspondent really Z
study the dictatorship system.
The first dictator encountered wa
the seemingly benevolent DR.. 1sidr
Ayora, president Of Ecuador. Ayor
1Awas an eminent medical man sum
moned by . military civil junta t
take control after . coup d'etat. II
faced pressing economic and socis
problems. Financial reforms hav
been accomplished with America
aid and political reforms are prom
ised. Literates are permitted t
vote in Ecuador and it is general
believed that an approaching ire
election will return Ayora.
Bolivia has had SO presidents
mostly dictators, in 10 years. He
sovereignty is limited by control 2
American banking and financial Il
terests. The government in power
\ ways wins elections, school childre
= have been shot down in demonstrs
ton parades and occasional India
rebellions are suppressed with sa'