Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-03-01
In LATIN AMERICA
By CASTON NERVAL.
GAN OUNCE OF CAUTION :. .

GAN OUNCE OF CAUTION :"
<<Y SHALL make q scrupulously
~ carefully inventory of my pos
sessions, so that every one may
u know exactly what ! have be-
fore becoming President and
may make due comparison when leave
that ofIice." With these words, the re-
Gently inaugurated President OF Guate-
mala received the news OF his election
for the highest position In that Central
American republic.
Closely following the conviction OF
eX-President LAguia for mismanagement
of public funds in Peru and ths trials
of Q number Of former government Of
f1cials accused of illegal acquisition OF
wealth in several other American coun-
tries, this statement from the new chief
executive Of Guatemala stands out by
itself and sets an unprecedented exam
pie for southern statesmen in the fu-
ture.
Heretofore charges Of misuse Of ma
tional income by the outgoing executive
have been almost inseparable from the
inauguration OF each new President In
q Latin American republic. In many
instances they were the chief cause OF
armed revolts which brought about the
downfall of constitutional administra-
lions before their legal term had ex-
pired. Particularly during the last few
months, these charges have been in
variably heard with each one Of the
revolutions that were successful in Bo-
livia, Peru, Argentina, Brazil, Pan
anna, etc.
Whether justified or not-whether
legally accurate or merely the result OF
political passions and revenge-theSe
r1t0
throw of every ousted Latin American
executive during the present epidemic
of revolution. It Is with q view toward
avoiding such unfortunate consequences
and for removing suspicious in advance
that Gen. Ubico, the newly elected
President Of Guatemala, promises now
to make public an inventory of all prop
critics in his possession and his bank
accounts, so that when he leaves ONCE
he may look the world in the face and
let his enemies compare his personal
wealth then with what he has today.
Gen. Ubico thus gives q strong as
surance Of the honest intentions OF his
government and renders himself i'm
mune, to the charges that afterward
may come. Gen. Ubico knows his peo-
pie. He knows that those who are
exalting him today will be connecting
charges tomorrow. Gen. Ubico has
shown himself q fine psychologist.
TWO WORTHY CAMPAIGNS.
A man for many years prominent in
Guatemala, Gen. Ubico was recently
elected to the presidency Of that coun-
try as the Joint candidate Of both the
Liberal and Progressive parties. A Few
days ago he was inaugurated for the
constitutional term of six years. amid
demonstrations of public support from
all parts of the country.
GUS than the one he has just won with
out any opposition-served to give him
the reputation which finally made him
the choice of both political parties for
the presidential chair. A campaign
against criminals in the Department OF
Retalhuleu, of which he was governor
and q campaign against yellow fever In
the same department and in all OF
the Pacific coast of Guatemala.
The first one proved his excellent
ability as an organizer of administrative
forces and his leadership. With stern
est energy, he attacked the crime prob
lem in Retalhuleu, which had reached
dangerous proportions at the time OF
his Inauguration as governor. He fought
the criminals, prosecuted them, put
them In jail. or drove them out Of the
country, and created entirely new con-
ditions In the region under his rule.
Later on his campaign against yellow
fever In Retalhuleu and the Pacific
coast proved his extraordinary activity
and high humanitarian ideals. VISIT
ing cities. towns, villages. organizing
sanitary platoons and building hospitals
as he went, distributing medicines and
mosquito netting free to the poor, Gen
Ubico overcame the epidemic and won
national recognition for his heroic serv-
ices. The famous DR.. Gorgas, head OF
the American commission engaged in
sanitary campaigns in Panama and
Central America, had words Of high
praise for Gen. Ubicos work along
these lines.
Gen. Ubico's prestige as an able adj
ministrator of public affairs was fur
ther emphasized by the progressive pro-
gram he developed in Alta Verapaz and
Retalhuleu, the two departments which
were successfully under his commend
He erected schools, markets and hos
pitfalls; he created parks, founded ex-
perinlental gardens 10 facilitate the
study Of agriculture, and built roads
and bridges as fast rs he could. Com
merce and agriculture were developed
TO such. an extent that Retalhuleu b.