Evening star., 1930-11-30

Continued from Th1rd Page)
country. I think it Is the consensus Of
opinion among responsible men that
Leguia, while always despotic, was per-
sonally honest, but in his old days he
became surrounded by some very dis
honest ministers and secretaries. He
has reaped the fruits of his despotism
and his unfortunate associates. This
revolution was inevitable, and the man
now holding provisional rule merits the
support and help of all business men,"
Refuses Money Reward.
AS a striking example to the country
of his disintereSted intentions, Sanchez
Cerro announced at once that he would
accept no extra pay as head OF the pro-
visional government, but would con-
tinue to draw only the pay Of his rank
in the army, which is comparatively
little. Also the other members of the
junta were to receive only their regu-
lar salaries. He made another unprec-
edented ruling regarding favors to Of
ficialS. Prominent business men and
politicians began rendering banquets
and dinners to the new President and
his ministers. 1t was promptly made
known that in a time when the gov
ernment was conducting soup kitchens
and bread lines for the poor and unem-
ployed, no official should be the recip-
lent of expensive banQuetS; and, besides,
these special attentions could hardly
be wholly unselflsh.
But, despite the honesty, sincerity and
good intentions Of the brave little col
onel, he faces a tremendous task, the
gravest difficulties and perils.
Depression Hits Nation.
Peru has suffered not because of its
own economic problems alone, but be-
cause Of the world economic depres-
sion as well. 1t exports such prod
uctS as copper, sugar and cotton
hardest jolts in these times. Her pub
lie debt Is already enormous, yet she
sorely needs credit from abroad. Leguia
instituted ambitious public works
highways, steamship docks and 1rrtga
ton projectS-none OF which had been
carried to conclusion, and some Of
which were the objects of unprecedented
graft. The economic task is herculean.
There also is the confusion Of the
public that follows any revolution, but
doubly serious is the case of Peru,
where three-fourths Of the population
are illiterate and two-thirds of them
are flll-blooded Indians or half breeds
having next to no knowledge of public
affairs. Adding to the confusion are
the activities of politicians who had
been Silenced-many Of them forced to
live outside the country-for decade
and who now wish to profit by the
new order.
Extremists, enemies Of Leguia's rule.
especially those who had felt the iron
hand Of the former dictator-some of
them unusually big men, too-are de-
manding an eye for an eye and a tooth
for a tooth. To satisfy them Is to
prejudice the public opinion of the
world Not to accede to their demands
is to risk losing their support.
Aristocrats Show Aversion.
Also the old aristocratic families, who
feel it their divine right to rule and who
received scant recognition from Leguia,
now see O chance to recoup their lost
power and prestige. They are already
active. Having the financial advan-
tage, their bid for rule will not be easily
put aside.
Besides, Sanchez Cerro is not Of the
elite socially and traditionally. Little
Spanish blood flows in his veins. He
is a Cholo, mestiZo. In fact, he is
more Indian than Cholo. He looks it
His skin is too dark" say some of the
white bloods. I'VE can't have Cholo
to rule u.s." was the remark of a
naughty naval officer. The navy Is
white, be It known" suggested another
man. The question Of race u not absent
m p@Nb even though many e the