Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-05-15
LATIN AMERICAN !.
|. REvOLTS FORECAST
Serious Trouble Expected In
Cuba, Argentina, Peru,
Chile and Brazil.
BIZ CONSTANTINE BROWN.


Ofacisl quarters are considerably dis-
turbed over the situation In Cubs and
IN South America. 1t seems that the
revolutionary outbreaks which began
last year, in even the most stable Latin
American republics, are not ended and
serious trouble is expected in Cuba, Ar
gentina, Peru. Chile and Brazil.
The situation IN Cuba, while officially
described as quiet, has reached a criti-
cal point. Although President Gerardos
Machado Is ruling the country with an
iron hand, the population is said to be
on the verge Of an explosion against
his assertedly ruthless methods.
President Machado. 1t is said, Is con-
tinuing, IN spite of the advice Of many
Americans. a personal and oppressive
rule. Not only Is he imprisoning and
prosecuting his political opponents, but
he Is alleged to be exploiting the coun-
try to his own advantage
The following trivial but significant
incident Is told by a foreign diplomat
who recently visited Cuba. It appears
that President Machado owns, among
other things, large field where straw
berries are cultivated. Next to hts es-
tate there are other fields belonging to
private Cuban citizens.
Orders Cavalry Maneuvers.
This year the strawberry crop was
very promising, with the result that the
prices would have been low. President
Machado. in order to sell his crop at
q good price, is said to have ordered,
when the fruit was almost ripe, two
SQuadronS of cavalry to naane0yer on
his neighbors' fields for q few hours.
The result was extremely satisfactory
for the President. The neighboring
strawberry fields were destroyed and the
President was able TO sell his crop at o
good price.
This incident illustrates what is hap
pening in Cuba and Is said to have
caused an outburst of indignation from
the already much-tried Cuban popula-
ton. The same private reports indicate
that the President is able to q great
extent to maintain his position because Of
the favorable attitude of the American
Ambassador to that country. Harry r.
his countrynlen through his trusted
agents that he is Endorsed by the Amer
lean Government and rebellion against
hts administration would bring about
American intervention.
Rank and File Scared.
President Machado's political oppo-
nents know that this is not the case,
but the rank and file Of the nation, not
conversant with the intricacies OF the
Pfatt amendment, are scared. especially
when they are told that American troOps
would come to Cuba to support thu
President
Ambassador Guggenheims support OF
Machado Is not due TO any personal rea-
k.a.k a. l.
believe that there Is another strong man
in the island to take Senior Machado,s
place and that the downfall Of the
President would be followed by serious
disturbances which might compel this
country to intervene. But In spite Of
Senior Machados apparently strong posi-
ton, the latest reports from Cuba indi-
cate that serious trouble may be ex-
pected shortly If he cannot be induced
to change his present methods.
Argentina Situation Precarious
The situation in Argentina Is de-
scribed as extremely precarfous. Presi-
dent Jose Francisco Uriburu, who sue
ceeded Hipolito Irigoyen last year. has
not made good his promises to thu
country, and the economic depression
and political prosecutions have enbit-
tered the population. Former President
1rigoyen Is still under arrest, but his
followers are agitating, and 1t seems
probable that within the next few
weeks there viii be another change OF
administration.
In Peru, where q strict censorship has
been established since last Monday, the
situation Is critical Street fights have
occurred In the last % hours, and ft
appears improbable that the adminis-
tration viii be able to remain in ONCE
for long.
Similar disquieting reports are re-
ceiyed from Chile, although no serious
outbreaks have occurred there vet.
The whole situation in Latin America
is regarded here with much apprehen-
sion because Of our financial commit
mentS. American investors have placed
in Argentina $611, 000, 600, In Cuba a..
526. 900 900, in Brazil $476. 0O0, 900. in
Chile $500. 0o0, 900 and in Peru $l62,-
100000. These figures represent the
known Official investments in govern
ment loans. A much larger amount is
invested In municipal loans and In pri-
vate enterprises.
(Copyright, 1917