Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-10-19
DYNAMITE AND CANNON.
MERICAN newspaper men

A MEXICAN newspaper men had
~ been wondering why the latest
"A revolutions in Latin America
4 "A had 30 much departed from the
cruel and bloody civil warfare
which for decades had been character
istic Of the Latin countries. They were
rather missing those spectacular scenes
Of bloodshed street fighting, brutal
rioting, red-hot dynaIniting and whole
their minds we're associated with o
typical Latin American revolt.
One Of them, well known humorist,
commenting upon the smoothness of
the recent coup d'etats in South
America, spoke of "the olden times,
when the Latin American revolutionists
used guns and cannon" and pictured,
very wittily, 1880 Latin president be-
ing handed courteous Invitation to
resign and later on giving up the gov
eminent with a happy smile on his
lips, before the first shot had been fired.
Most American editorialists pointed
out with surprise the quiet and gentle
way in which three Southern executives
had been ousted from ONCE during the
last four months, after only a few
casualties had been reported in peaceful
student demonstrations. The orderly
and almost bloodless manner in which
the recent military coups succeeded in
Bolivia, Peru and Argentina astounded
American newspapers. They were not
used to It.
Well, here we have again the colorful
and violent, the fiery revolution they
were looking for. While these lines are
being written stormy civil strife Is
sweeping over the vast territory Of
Brazil, the largest South American
country. Bloody rioting has taken
place In various Brazilian cities, federal
and rebel forces have exchanged well
aimed shots and the whole country Is
o bonfire Of political rivalry and pas
sionate turmoil.
This time, however, we are in the
presence Of q rather different phenom-
enon. It Is not only in the extent
of armed warfare or in the number Of
casualties that the Brazilian revolution
differs from those in Bolivia, Peru and
Argentina. It Is also different in prin-
ciples, and this difference may explain
the other. Although at such an enor-
nous distance it is difficult to appreci-
ate the situation and grasp the real
motives underlying the facts reported
by the press, the Brazilian revolt does
not seem animated by the same ideals
that made possible the almost peace
full and bloodlegs changes Of govern
u1ent In the three Southern republics
mentioned. This one partakes more Of
the rivalistic character that the others
lacked.
QUITE ANOTHER THING.
Conditions in Brazil were different
from those prevailing in Bolivia, Peru
and Argentina when the civil strife
broke out. Public liberties had not
been suspended, the constitution had
not been violated, individual rights
were not at stake, the country was not
suffering the rule of q dictatorial gov
eminent. Hence, personalistic rivalry
and selfish ambitions are suspected as
being the real force behind the rebel
armies In Brazil.
Only one aspect does the Brazilian
situation have in common with that in
the three other Latin countries, the
economic crisis afflicting the national
finances and general wellbeing of the
population. While this factor may have
precipitated events in Bolivia, Peru and
Argentina, it could not justify Of itself
the Brazilian uprising, where political
principles and democratic ideals do not
seem to be the major issues at stake.
The one fact that the defeated candi-
date In the last presidential elections
Is leading the present revolution against
the established government in power
throws suspicion over the idealistic or