Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-08-16

| NA0AAh $500 = $50
as argued. truly continental phenom-
| enai and, second. that was right when
claiming that Il should not be inter-
! preted IS the mere repetition OF mean
| ingless, passionate, eapriciotis. domestic
qusrrels which were supposed TO Be
Characteristic OF the Latin tempera-
ment
Instead Of considering recent political
disturbances in Latin Americp the mere
continuance OF a long series Of internal
uPheavals. having no other motives than
personal ambitions or the erAttfication
OF restless spirit OF civil disobediefice
/ advanced at that time the argument
that they were part Of a widespread
| movement for more democratic rule, in
which three fundamental elements had
INTERVIEWED. These three elements, al
OF which are also present In the latest
Chilean revolution. were political, psg-
Geological and economic.
Feeling Against DietatOFs.
The political factor may be described
as the awakening OF feeling in Latin
America against dictatorial regimes, the
reaction Of public sentiment against the
"stfonE-Tnan" policy which had Grown
so rapidly in the Southern continent
since European leaders set the example
in the Old World. The success Of
MnSsolini in italy and the apparently
successful imitation By Primo De Rivera
in Spain awoke the Ambitions Of sew
eral Latin American executives who.
believing themselves to be the chosen
of Providence. decided, whether sin.
cerely or not, TO help their countries By
STAYING. Indefinitely In power.
At first public opinion seemed TO
favor this dictatorial trend, which was
giving splendid results in the two lead
ing European nations Of Latin origin.
Later on. however, the Latin Americans
found out that the Fascist methods
were an exclusively Italian phenouie-
non, and that there we're many reasons
to doubt the real success OF the dieta-
torship in the mother country-Spain.
The consequences Of such change OF
opinion. intensified BY mistakes and
abuses on the part of the iron handed''
regimes in Latin America, can be OBJ
served in this general reaction against
autocratie forms OF government, which
is now producing results.
Step T6ward Democracy.
Politically speaking. then, this reac-
ton may be characterized as the de-
tlunciatiof1 of dictatorial power by Latin
America-perhaps as her FIRST step to-
war5 true democratic maturity.
There also IL psychological element
in the situation. As with individuals,
the masses are extremely susceptible to
intellectual influence. Just As 4 suicide
is never an isolated case In community
but Is always followed BY two or three
other self-murders, so Il happens that
any political trend In 4 Latin American
country Is almost invariably followed BY
similar phenomena in the Yikikhborink
nations. This Is even more easily un-
derstood when one considers that those
are countries which have their origin,
traditions and political background IN
common.
Last, but not least, the economic fac.
tor has played a most important part.
1t has given concrete form to the politi.
cal ideal, and really determined the
time Of action. 1t has precipitated
events. Until economic crises appeared
on the horisons, revolutionary ideas
did not go beyond mere intellectual as.
pirations in Bolivia, Peru, Argentina,
Brazil Panama, etc.
Finances Played Part.
But when the tin crisis seriously At.
| fected the financial situation of Bolivia
country almost entirely dependent on
it, tin exports. the political problem
reached the point Of sattifation and
made q change of government imminent
III ike manner, real TSFOfutlDnATy I'M
rest was not seriously felt In Peru until
government finances began to totter a.
consequence Of maladminlstfation OF
public N ads added to the general eco.
| nomic depression. Economic failure of
the Irieoyen regime was the Uutstand-
| ing issue behind the Argentine revolt
The serious situation brought about in
| Brazil by the coffee crisis pfecipitated
the fall OF the LUZ government. And
so on in the other Latin republics
which witnessed political upsets this
| year.
Now the case Of Chile gives final
assurance OF this fact. Chile, long re-
| garded rs one Of the most prosperous,
| progressive and stable countries Of
South America. was until recently con-
| sidered immune against the epidemic
Of revolution which was sweeping that
part OF the world. Lately, however,
Chile began to face extraordinary eco
nofnic diflculties, arising from the low
price Of nitrates ana copper. two prod