Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-11-02
In LATIN AMERICA
By CASTOR NERVAL.

ing factor In the domestic politics OF
the country. Thus the ColombianS are
giving a new example Of democratic
maturity Early this year they had
also surprised the observers Of Latin
American politics in general by holding
most impartial elections, which resulted
in the peaceful and legal victory OF the
opposition candidate, Senior Olaya
Herrera now the chief executive Of that
southern country. The overwhelming
majority by which popular sentiment
elected Senior Olaya and the deferential
manner in which the government party
acknowledged defeat and helped him
in establishing the new administration
attracted wide attention in o continent
where force and violence have been
and still seem to be the most fashionable
way to get control of power. Later
developments In Bolivia, Peru, Argen-
tina and Brazil have confirmed this,
again and again.
Although the militaristic movements
In at least three of these four Latin
American countries have differed from
the typical southern 'pronunciamento,"
in that they had their origin in liberal
and democratic ideals, and were direct
ed against dictatorial and personalistic
regimes, the Intervention of the army
been condemned From the point of
view Of political philosophy, the attitude
OF the Colombian Army in giving up the
right Of suffrage and eschewing politics
Is more appropriate than that of the
Argentine or the Peruvian Army In
undertaking the restoration of public
liberties In their respective countries by
the overthrow of unpopular regimes.
or course, Gen. Uriburu, President Of
the Argentine junta, and Gen. Sanchez
Cerro, head OF the Peruvian junta, may
have different opinion on the subject.
COMMON CHARACTERISTICS.
Before the memory of the recent
revolutionary unrest in South America
Is banished from the readers mind by
the unceasing, endless chain of world
upheavalS which carries it like shuttle
from one corner of the earth to another,
1t seems interesting to point out some
peculiar characteristics that the mill
tary revolts in Bolivia, Peru and Argen-
tina had in common.
have explained some time ago In
this same column the circumstances
preceding these revolutions, their similar
origin, like development, and the COM
mon ideals they sought do not intend
to describe again this fundamental like
ness in spirit Of the three movements,
which undoubtedly will be the subject
Of a score of books In Latin America,
but merely want to point out certain
similarities and condolences which
might be of interest to the student OF
present-day politics and history.
The popular uprising began IN La
Paz, the Bolivian capital, when stu
dent was shot and killed by government
police agents in public demonstration.
Peruvian student killed in the same
manner was the cause OF the first local
unrest in Lima, the capital OF Peru. And
also the death of an Argentine student
at the hands of the Buenos Aires police
started the popular outbreak against
the Irigoyen regime.
The military movement began In
Bolivia with the rebellion of the army
division stationed at Oruro. which soon
had the support of the whole army. and
resulted in the success of the revolution.
In a very similar way. tho Peruvian
movement started with the 'pronuncia-
miento" of the Arequipa garrison, be-
fore which the administration found
itself defenseless. In Argentina the
movement was led by the Buenos Aires
garrison and found as little difficulty IN
gaining the enthusiastic support OF the
populace.
The cadets of the military schools OF
La Paz, Lima and Buenos Aires played
a like predominating part In these
pronunciamientos.
Previous to the outbreak of the armed
revolt, the President Of Bolivia resigned
'nominally" and appointed a provi-
sional governmental junta in order to
calm the opposition's attacks. When
the Peruvian revolt started in Arequipa,
President Leguia appointed a military
junta, composed Of selected members OF
his aides, and handed to it his resigna-
ton. President Irigoyen of Argentina
tried a similar maneuver, resigntng IN
favor of his Vice President and close
friend, Senior Martinez. In all three