Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-08-16
Revolts in Latin American Countries
Seen as First Step Toward Democracy

ucts which form the greater part Of the
exports and the republics principal
sources Of income. Drastic reductions
IN administration expendltures, in an
effort 10 balance the budget, resulted In
bitter campaign OF the opposition ele-
ments. which charged the sdninistra-
tioR with failure IN handling the eco
monte problems OF the country and with
hnisnnanaeement Of funds secured
through foreign leans.
Public Sentiment Aroused.
Despite every effort, the government
was finally forced 20 announce what
amounted 70 virtual suspension Of
payments Of interest and amortization
on Chiie's foreign ohlieations. Failure
Of the I,ucerTle conference between syn
thetic and Chilean nitrate producers
added to the financial problems Of the
administration, 10 point where politi-
cal opposition found IL easy 10 arouse
public sentiment against IT,
Not only In the circumstances pre-
cedife Il and in the main causes un-
DERIVING it Is the Chilean revolution
similar 70 those which have succeeded
in other Latin American republics in
the last IL months, The way in which
10 was carried cut also resembles the
movement previously taking place in
Bolivia, Peru. Argentina and elsewhere
In Santiago. the Chilean capital, -
In La PaS, Lima and BuenoS Aires, tn
students we're the first to show open
resistance 10 the established order Of
things. Student strikes and mutinies
in the university gave the first indica-
lions Of trouble. Just as 1t had happened
4 few months before in the other South
efn capitals. Once more IN the Chilean
revolt the young intellectual elements
proved the traditional spirit of rebellion
Characteristic OF the Spanish race and
came to the rescue OF Democratic ideals.
They must be given much Of the credit
for Kidding Chile Of the man who once
said publicly that he enjoyed divine
guidance in ruling as he thought reces-
sary.'
Army Plays Part.
As in Bolivia. Peru. Argentina and
other countries. IL was The Anal attitude
Of the armed forces of the nation which
really decided the outcome OF the
Chilean erias As long as they counted
upon the army, the old governments In
those countries appeared stubbornly de-
terF1ined to resist ana fight TO the end
But as soon as the high ofIicers Of the
army objected TO shooting down their
own cofnpatriots In the face OF an over
whelmtng public opinion all the strength
OF the once believed iron handed" re-
gifE1es vanished and their supporters
were rendered powefless This has hap
pened again in Chile. The troops. be-
cause they put the constitution above
loyalty TO political parsonage. have
been hailed as heroes. A cable dispatch
reports that In the days following the
success OF the movement the appearance
OF a soldier was signal for fresh out
burst OF cheering.
Finally the recent Chilean revolution
has been national In cfaracter--a pop
zeal parties ana the sympatliies OF nearly
the entire population. And this also
places it beside the earlier changes in
the I1eighboring Latin republics. where
al sectors OF public opinion joined in
celebrating the return OF those countries
to a more liberal and democratic form
Of government.
toopsrikht 1871