Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-07-13
LATIN AMERICAN AFFAIRS
By CASTOR NervaI.

the rest Of the politicians. And today
not only does he detest personal pub
licity and public homage to his qualities
and attainments, but he renounces with
equal finality any material recompense
for his official services. The checks for
his salary are sent directly to the 80
ciedad de Benencencia," the greatest
charity organization Of Argentine wom-
en-. older than the republic itself. Pres
1dent 1rigoyen collects not one cent for
his salary or off1cial expenses, although
the Argentine budget carries appropria-
tons for him almost as large as those
drawn here by President Hoover.
In an article appearing not long ago
In Worlds Work the noted Latin writer
T. r. Ybarra, speaking of Irigoyen, said
that he Is the least known statesman of
South America because Of the seclusion
in which he lives, the silence which he
maintains, the mystery with which he
surrounds himself" And added: so
aloof is Irigoyen in his habits, 30 con-
temptuous Of the ordinary avenues to
celebrity, that he has become the center
Of legend in which fact and friction
mingle." Such is the man. Is there
ANYTHING strange in the fact that a
man OF this temperament should pro-
hiblt the exposition Of his pictures In
public places or in public offices?
This same psychological characteristic
OF Senior 1rigoyen was responsible not
long ago for an incident which verged
on disturbing good American Argen-
tine relations. He refused to take part
In the Inauguration of the first RADIO
telephone service between North and
south America, during which the Chief
executives OF the United States, Chile
and Uruguay exchanged cordial greet
lngs and expressions of good will Pres
ldent 1rigoyen alleged o sudden illness
TO excuse his absence and this was in
terpreted by some American newspapers
as q lack OF courtesy and friendliness
on the part of the Argentine executive
toward Uncle Sam. Those who know
MIN well, however, understood that
Senior Irigoyen'S attitude was but the
result OF his disinclination to take part
IN Droadcasting program advertised
throughout the world and which would
resound in every quarter of the globe
That they were right was shown soon
after when President Irigoyen in O few
days called President Hoover on the
phone and held o private conversation
with MN which abounded In courteous
phrases and diplomatic gsllantry.
For the Sake Of Aviation.
Mexico will benefit more from the
ability and courage Of her living pilots. ("
says President Ortiz Rubio, than from
the posthumous honors accorded those
who lose their lives in audacious and
perilous undertakings" And with this
the Mexican President issued O decree
prohibiting Mexican army and navy
aviators from undertaking attempts at
long distance or record-breaking flights.
Following suggestions Of the Mexican
press and campaign made by various
outstanding institutions, the Mexican
Executive decided last week that under
no circumstances will the government
allow In the future any flights in which
tne ilves OF Mexican pilots are at stake,
unless such attempts have special
purpose and real significance for the
progress OF aviation and the interests
Of the country"
The lives Of the Mexican aces are too
precious to be lost, added the Presi-
oents decree, even though Mexico be
Obliged to forego the glory Of their &C
The Mexican Presidents decision
one which had already been suggested
In this country and In France-has un-
doubtedly been caused by the unfortu-
nate and repeated losses which Next
can aviation has suffered In the last -
months. Last year Mexico's foremost
aviator, Capt. Emilio Carranza, after
successfully completing his non stop
night from Mexico City to the United
states, was the victim Of q fatal catas-
trophe on his return trip. when his
plane was caught in the midst of a
furious Summer storm before reaching
the Mexican border, and this wear.
about TWO months ago, Col. Pablo Sidar'
the ace OF Mexican aviation. met The
same dramatic fate when his plane roll
lapSed near the Costa Rican coast
Col. Sidar had just completed a long
distance tour of the Latin American
countries, which had given him CONT
mental fame. ''
Carranza and Sidar having uerished
there remains but one Of the great aces
OF Mexican aviation, Col. Roberto Fierro.
VINO last month made the New York
Mexico City nonstop flight, lowering
the Lindbergh record by four hours. Col.
Flerro was then preparing to make a
long distance flight from Mexico CITY
70 the South American capitals. whence
ne planned to cross the Atlantic md
visit both Africa and Europe.
The prohibition Of the Mexican 9ov.
eminent Is understood to be especiallv
directed against Fierro's project. The
authorities want to save Fierro frorn the
possibility Of sharing the sad fate of MS
comrades. And with Fierros life they
aim to protect those Of many other
young and courageous Mexican aviators
VINO are always ready to defy death and
guest OF personal glory. Now in vain
nave they IN their veins that daring,
ardent Mexican blood which has oiled