Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-08-30
Corruption Cause of Chilean Revolt
Common in Latin American Uprisings

Continued From Third PaeeD
regimes in Bolivia. Peru, Argentina and
ether countries.
The arousing Of a keen sense Of
responsibility has been precisely one Of
the directly outstanding characteristics
Of the recent political movement IN
Latin Amzrica and che which makes
Il 50 different from the profitless snd
purely personslistic upheavals that for
4 whole century had been filling the
history Of the neigboTfng republics.
Therefore, a so-called popular revolt
in Latin American country resulted
in but the substitution of a certain
group Of men for another. with no
signs of improvement in administrative
methods or in the abandonment Of
immoral practices in the exercise OF
power
In general, the faults and misdeeds
Of the deposed authorities whose lack
OF scruples in financial matters had
started the revolutions. were looked
upon with indifference after these re-
volts had succeeded. The guilty ones
usually walked out elegantly TO enjoy
in some distant country the fortunes
piled up under cover Of government
positions. their successors being more
concerned With the thought Of getting
rid Of them than with their punis-
n1ent.
Leguia Fortune PFobed.
Iris time. however. the ousted ex-
ecutives found themselves in a different
stu stion. A tribunal OF National Sane
ton was created in Peru the day after
the successful terminal ton Of the revo-
luton 10 Investigate the personal for
tune Of deposed President Leguts. his
sans and his political comrades. After
careful inquiry. which lasted several
months. this tribunal convicted the
L.guiss OF enbezzlement of public funds
and condemned them TO refund to the
national treasury the sum OF 2S,00o,oo0
"soles"
In Argentina, ex-President Irig yen
and come of his closest political friends
are being tried for niisnna nagem-nt OF
the nationai income and Illegal profit
ins through means OF government
funds. In Brazil, former President Luiz
IVES held prisoner for some time undCr
similar charges. although later released
and exiled 10 Europe In Poiivis, An
accusation aesinst ousted Preside. t
SHE'S Is still pending before Congress.
In PSnama charges against the recently
oYerthrown regime of Ssnor Aroeemena
are in progress.
Whether justified or not-whether
Legally accurate or merely the result of
political passions and revenge-thess
accusations have accompanied the over
throw OF every ousteo Latin American
executive during the last epidemic OF
revolution.
It was probably with thess examples
in mind that President Ubico of Guste-
mais, not long ago had enacted his
startling law OF probity" IN original
document in administrative matters.
Law Attracts Attention.
This Law preventing the Illegal sc-
QUESTION cf wealth by high officials o.
employees Of the administration during
theiT terms OF Office. sttrscted wide
spread attention in political circles, for
Il closely followed the conviction IF
ex-President Lcguia Of Peru and the
trials OF a number Of former govern
ment personagss in other Latin reDub-
lies. Besides, 1t was the first time that
a formal attempt he'd been made To
make oficial graft and government
corruption no longer possible in al
least one country in the world.
Tn. GustemaIan lev Of prokity-
which discussed at length some
months sEc-nakes IL mandatory for
ali employees Of the government receiv-
ing In excess of $500 monthly. or
dayit setting forth sll their worldly
possessions at the tina they take cfics.
Real estate. securities, industrial inter-
ests and bank accounts, Of any applt-
cant for public once, must be declared,
and a record of such declarations kept
by the national treasury.
Another article OF the law provides
that neither the individuals affected by
It. their relatives nor intimate friends,
may contract with the state for work or
suppli.s when the provisions Of the
contract ere TO be enforced by the In
dividuals in question.
And still another provision declares
that II a person is the owner CT, or
stockhol6er in, q mercantile or indus
trial enterprise which produces goods
for government consumption, he must
take cath IT the time Of entering the
government service that the enterprise
will not supply the government during
the term OF his employment.
Graft DifRcuh.
The original causes thus having
been remo~td, it becomes nov very
complicated and difAcilt task to profit