Evening star., 1932-11-20
BY GASTON NERvAI.
ATTN AMERICANS who were rs

r ATTN AMERICANS who were hs-
tening to q political broadcast
some days ago must have been
IL interested to hear the following
statement from one Of the men
prominent in the presidential campaign
Just concluded:
I'VE have learned In industry at
least" said the speaker, ito regard with
reservation the people who, no matter
how honestly, think themselves indis-
pensable. I have no objection to a man
saying that he would like to hold his
job. I would do so, too. have no OBJ
lection to his presenting the reasons
why he can do the job better than
others. ! would do so too. But re-
sent at any time or at any place the
attitude that the safety of this country
depends on any man holding his job.
No man has achieved that strength, and
this country has not deteriorated to
that weakness"
The statement Is one full Of signif-
canoe for the student of Latin American
chosen, the "providenciales" (provi-
Dental mem, as they call themselves In
that part Of the globe, have constituted
the greatest hindrance to the progress
Of democratic practices in Latin
America.
The history Of internal politics in
nearly every one Of the Latin American
republics Is crowded with examples of
ambitious statesmen and "caudillos"
who suddenly discovered in themselves
divine mandate and proclaimed their
continued permanence In the govern
ment indispensable to the welfare and
safety Of the country.
VIII Of People Ignored.
One after another these chosen men
set aside constitutions or had these re-
formed to suit their plans, so that they
might remain in power to complete the
task with which they were Entrusted
by Providence" The will of the people
did not count. Popular dissatisfaction
did not mean thing. The presence Of
those privileged men in power was for
the better, so they themselves an
nounced, and nothing should stand in
the way.
Thus indispensable men" have ap-
peared from time to time in the scene
Of Latin-American politics - some
careful to the end in modifying or twist
ing constitutional provisions. to save
appearances and legalize their rule;
others, scorning openly the law and as
suming clear-cut dictatorial mood. In
both cases their main enteavor has been
to keep themselves in power on the
assumption that no one could replace
them.
The practice, Of course, has not orig
mated in Latin America. 1t has ex-
listed in the world ever since govern
ment existed, and it has come down
through the ages with little funda-
mental variations. But in republican
Latin America 1t Seems to have found a
more fertile ground than anywhere else
in contemporary history.
The usual process in Latin American
country is this: When the Chief Execu-
tive has made up his mind to become
an indispensable man" he begins to
prepare the road. Long before his legal
term approaches the end he distributes
jobs and commissions among his closest
friends, establishes control of the politi-
cal machinery Of the party In power,
sees that all his followers are elected
to Congress so as to be sure Of legisla-
tive support when the big moment
comes. and begins the elimination of all
possible rivals or presidential aspirants
by sending them out of the country as
political exiles or as diplomatic agents.
Begins in OutIands.
All this is necessary, and much more,
because in most of the Latin American
countries reelection is barred by the
constitution. The President who wishes
to become indispensable" therefore,