Evening star., 1932-11-27

~ CACNtAOAAo SAAAAC, kAOAAuA do dlAQ
~ Nicaragua we can say today
4 4 that coming events cast their
shadow before" even in Latin
American politics.
Three weeks ago It was pointed out
that only a few days before the elec-
ton In this country citizens of three
other republics in the Western Hemi-
sphere were going to the polls to select
new Chief Executive Chileans. Hon
duranS and Nicaraguans were living the
same moments, feverish with political
activity, that the subjects of Uncle Sam
were witnessing here.
OF five presidential aspirants In
Chile and Of two embittered ones in
each of the two Central American re-
publics mentioned, Senior Arturo Ales-
sandri, DR.. Juan B. Sacasa and Gen.
Tuburcio Carias were mentioned as
having greater possibilities of success.
All three Of them are today Presidents
elect
Their victory, however, has q far
greater significance than the mere con-
firmation of a journalistic prediction.
1t means that in Latin America, too,
presidential elections are becoming more
and more the expression Of popular
sentiment, even If the candidate IA
vored by the people lacks the partisan
SuppOIt VI Iilc duIflOTltltO.
1t means that in Latin America, too,
trends Of public opinion now serve to
anticipate events and can resist the
pressure of Government influences or
political Vaccinations 1t means that
even of Latin American politics we can
say today, in the words of the poet,
that you can look into the seeds of
time and say which grain will grow
and which will not"
Thus the victory Of Senior Alessandri,
Gen. Carias and Dr. Sacasa, in Chile,
Honduras and Nicaragua, respectively,
becomes the evidence of further demo-
cratic progress across the Rio Grande.
Post rejection Disturbances.
All, however, Is not quiet on the
Southern front. The elections have
come and gone In peaceful, orderly
way. And, what is more, they have re-
suited in the triumph of the popular
candidates. But post-election disturb
ances have followed in one of the three
countries involved and unrest is re-
ported in another.
Only in Nicaragua the outcome of the
election has been received with nation
wide approval and the will of the ma
Jority accepted without qualification.
Exception made, of course, to the hand
ful OF rebels who, under Gen. Sandino,
have been struggling fer some time
against the presence of United States
Marines on Nicaraguan soil But San
dino's opposition is not directed against
any particular personal rule in Mica
ragua. 1t is launched against foreign
Intervention.
Certainly, of all public men in Mica
ragua, the present President-elect
ghnilI6 have q oh ~ {,,
ducing Sandino to give up his fight.
1t was to support the constitutional gov
ernment Of DR.. Sacasa, then Vice Presi-
dent, against the revolution of Cha
MORO and DiaZ, several years ago, that
Sandino first took up arms.
Disregarding, therefore, the very small
group OF Sandinists who are still hiding
in the mountains of Nueva Segovia.
and who now have no particular politi-
cal color. it may be said tha the cleo
ton OF DR.. Sacasa has been received
with unusual orderliness and unani-
nous approval.
Press dispatches report the enthusi-
asm with which DR.. Sacasa's victory has
been hailed in the farthest corners of
the republic. Even his opponents in
the election have expressed complacencv
at seeing a man of his honesty and rep-
utation at the head of the government.
prominent conservative leaders have
promised their cooperation.
Most likely there is no Liberal states
man In Nicaragua that the Conserva-
tives would rather see in the presiden-
tial chair. As for the Liberals. who.
since the Stimson peace mission Of 1927.
have been in the majority, their over
whelming support of DR.. Sacasa has
been unmistakably shown at the polls
and was apparent all through the pre-
election campaign.
Factors Made Possible.
Two factors have made possible this
ccmmendable exhibition of democratic
behavior in a country which, until not
long ago, was frequently associated with
the news of internal d!ssensions, politi-
cal rivalrieS and civil wars. One Is the
progress made by Nicaraguans through
these elections supervised by represent
atives of the United States Govern
ment.
The other is the commanding person.
ality of DR.. Sacasa. former Vice Presi-
dent. former Ministe. to Washington,
statesman of untainted public record
and man beloved by all classes Of the
society.
In Chile the election of Senor Arturo
Alessandri has not ended political agl-
tation. Sanor Alessandri polled the
largest popular VOTE but his popularity
is too dependent upon political cors.d-
erations of the moment Not one, but
varicu3 times. Senor Ales5andri has seen
his popularity carry him to the highest
position In the land. and then desert
him and take him into exile