Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-03-01

came the most productive department
in Guatemala.
These services, and his uprightness
of spirit, made him q prominent figure
in Guatemalan politics He was elected
to Congress; in 1920 he was sent to
study military conditions In the United
States; In 1921 he became the military
chief Of the city of Guatemala. and
later on was made secretary Of war
under the government Of President ].
NJ. Orellana.
In 1922 he was Q candidate for the
presidency, but resigned the nomina-
ton to prevent q split In the Liberal
party. At the death Of President Orel-
lana he was again nominated for the
presidency, but was defeated at the
polls by Gen. Lazaro Chacon. The lat
ter recently resigned on account Of Ill
health. thus giving rise to government
disturbances which finally led to the
last presidential elections. In this, the
third time, Gen. Ubico had the support
Of both the rival parties and was, Of
course, unanimously elected for the
highest position in his native land.
MEN AND THE GOVERNMENTS.
Like ST. Olaya Herrera, the present
President Of Colombia, who was eight
years Colombian Minister In Washing
ton; like Sr. Alfaro, President OF
Panama, who for q similar period Of
time was the Panaman representa-
tive to the United States; like President
TrujillO, Of the Dominican Republic, q
former "blue jacket" in the Marine
Corps Of the United States; like Sr.
Araujo, the newly elected President OF
Salvador, who holds q degree from an
American university, Gen. Ubico seems
to be in an especially favored position to
conduct successfully the friendly rela-
tons existing between his country and
the United States.
The son Of former diplomatic repre-
sentative Of Guatemala in the United
States, the late DR.. Arturo Ubico, q dis
tinguished Guatemalan who signed the
constitution Of 1879, Gen. Ubico has
spent o considerable part Of his life
in this country and has had an oppor-
tunity TO know Americans at first hand
and understand them. This under
standing Is the best guaranty of his
ability TO improve Guatemalan-Ame
can relations and thus contribute to the
strengthening Of interamerican friend
ships.
It Is hard to realize In all It's impOr-
lance the influence of particular indi-
viduals upon the course Of international
relations The action Of q single man;
his understanding and his good dispo-
siti0n may diSsipate the fears and sus-
picions and the resentments OF q whole
community.
The cases Of Mexico and Colombia, in
contemporary history, afford ample
proof Of this. From o position Of ex-
tTeme aloofness toward the United
States, Mexico and Colombia, through
the influence of open-minded executives
who knew and understood this country,
have become, in a fortnight, the best
fri ~ TIroa RavNn fV1 7 0ff VN ANNnn
NEW EXECUTIVES.
Two other Latin American countries
will have presidential inauguTations dur
ing the next few days. Genial elections
were recently held In Bolivia and In FL
Salvador, and the men chosen to be
rulers of these republics for the next
four years are ready to take over the
reins Of government.
The choice of the Bolivian citizenry
was DR.. Daniel Salamanca, q man Of
unusual attainments and even more un-
usual record for political honesty He
was the joint candidate of all parties,
and was, therefore, unanimously elect
ed to the presidential chair. His was
the most orderly election that Bolivia
had experienced in q long while. The
Bolivian Military Junta now in control
Of the administration has announced
that before the 10th of March 1t will
hand over the government to the newly
elected chief executive.
DIR. Salamanca has for many years
been the outstanding figure In his coun-
try's political life. Several times before
he was mentioned for the highest posi-
ton in the land, and on one occasion
was actually nominated for that post
by one Of the large parties, but govern
ment opposition made his election Inn
possible, in spite of popular support.
Always casting aside personal ambition,
and following the straight and narrow
path in his political activities, Sr. Sala-
manca had become almost q symbol In
Bolivian life. All political leaders came
to him, seeking advice and paying re-
spect to his word. Whenever q serious
national problem embarrassed the men
In power they, too, sought Salamanca's
counsel. The entire populace looked
upon him as the personification OF
right
1t is not strange, therefore, that when
the old Siles regime was overthrown last
year the whole country turned TO Sr.
Salamanca. The heads Of the three
most important political parties, gath
cred together after the success o. the