Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-01-27
BY CASTOR NERvAL,

"HOSE who believe that the po-
litical disturbances which from
time immemorial have been agi-
Il tating the Central American re-
publics have come to an end, or
that the present. state of peace and
order now prevailing Is enduring. are
indeed, mistaken. And those who take
for granted that the internal unrest
of those republics has forever given
way to tranquility, will very soon be
disappointed.
The reason for this unfortunate state
OF affairs may be explained as follows
They are still in the infancy of their
independent life, for a century is a
short period within which to expect a
nation to reach its most advanced
stage of civiliZation-they are at the
beginning of their political experiences
and the foundation for good things
Is always arduous and cumbersome.
Another factor, and not the least, is the
Limited development of their national
industries and their commerce. and
independent activities have made of
politics a means of livelihood some
what Of pecuniary source for the
majority OF the inhabitants. who find
themselves necessarily bound to follow
its peculiar course.
~ tllcSC Observation-Disclosures lIle4-
perience, psychological heritage and
material eceSSities-should be attrib-
uted the fact that the internal politics
of the Latin republics of the Western
Hemisphere and particularly Central
America are somewhat distinct to
that in practice in this country, of
Anglo-SaXon origin and so absorbed in
the field Of industry.
Question of Presidents.
Several days ago a we'll known Amer
lean writer asked in The Sunday Star,
the following question: What shall we
do with our former Presidents?" and
pointed out that their vast knowledge
and experience were indispensable and
that they should be given high Gov
ernmental posts so that they could con-
tinue to collaborate with the Govern
ment after the expiration of their term
OF office. However. in Central America
and also in several Southern American
republics, things hold quite different A
retiring President is an infallible candi-
date for exile. Practically all of them.
upon the expiration of their terms of
ONCE, must abandon their country to
escape the consequences of personal
hatredS and vengeance which their ad-
ministrative acts may have Sown. Few
are they who leave their presidential
ONCE enjoying the same popularity and
fellowship which were theirs prior to
taking Office. 1t is because of this un-
usual state Of affairs that today we see
quite number of former Latin Amer
lean Presidents drowning their disap-
pointments on European shores while
political hatreds in their native lands
diminish or are totally forgotten. It
would seem, therefore, quite ridiculous
for any one to ask in those countries
the same question propounded by the
American writer, or to even mention or
indicate the appointment of former
Presidents to high government offices
so that they could. with their knowledge
ano experience, aid In the public func-
lions. And this because rarely does a
former President preserve his prestige
intact after four years in office-more
than sufficient time for his countrymen
TO become disappointed with him: to
deny the virtues before attributed to
him and to hold him responsible for the
nations misfortunes and universities.
We refer here only to those who COM
plete their term, for many are they who
even have not that fortune.
Political Life Has Changed.
1t Is true that the political life of
during the past years, that these re-
puDlics no longer are undergoing that
same degree of internal unrest. that
coup detats" are not so frequent, that
revolutions in the majority of them
have passed and that in general
things have followed a more tolerable
course, but nevertheless the internal
tranquility and political education of
tnose countries are not yet what could
De desired. There still remains a GER
tam Ill current Of that anarchical tradi-
ton which for many years has been a
barrier TO the progress, especially of the
Central American republics. There still
prevails among their people quite an
ardent, rebellious and ambitious tenn
permanent Tor politics. And as yet there
exist political groups who instead of
having specific platform or ideals to
follow, they prefer to be guided bv the
ambitious designs of their leaders. The
government party as rule is composed
OF personal friends of the leaders in
power. The opposing party generally is
lnCegrateo by those who failed to obtain
nlgn government posts and by the en-
Vlous politicians, who attribute to the
men in power all imaginable habits and
malpracticeS. Hence that the internal
ulSSenslonS and quarrels are everlasting
and without quarter.
AS long as this condition of affairs
continues to exist and the political ac-
INVITES constitute 80 per cent of their
national life, which in fact is the case.
~ would be unreasonable to hope that
the instability of their government
would cease to be the main character
1stics OF those nations.
Sources Of Trouble.
The cable has brought to us during
recent days startling news of serious in
ternal complications in three Central
American republics. In Guatemala
peace no longer reigns. At this writing
the rebels and the Federal troops are
engaged In an incessant warfare on the
Pacific Coast, and the political leaders
are once more on the Warpath In
honduras and Nicaragua the internal
SITUATION becomes more complex dav bv
DAY, and serious disturbances are ex-
pected at any moment that will bring
cnaos and confusion and perhaps new
uprisings.
AT this time the republic facing the
most serious situation is Guatemala
Both factions are openly engaged In
war and the political fate of the repub-
Tic rests upon the outcome of the armed
connagration. The case is one involving
military movement of the customary
characteristicS-two or three high
ranked army officers who find them
selves dissatisfied because their ambi-
tons were not fully realized and who
accuse the legally constituted govern
ment of having betrayed the trust
placed upon it by the people, now pro-
pose to substitute it, giving back to the
nation il lost liberties" thereby sat
swing In the meantime altho,oh tbov