Evening star., 1932-05-08


other side of the Rio Grande
IL Those who expected exciting
news of Communist riots
throughout Latin America must have
been disappointed.
For the last few months, Communist
propaganda had been active in most
Of the Latin American capitals. Local
disorder inspired by Communist agi-
tators has actually threatened in some
of them. And the first open Communist
revolt had taken place only a few
weeks before in El Salvador, the small
est republic of Central America.
Circumstances had never been more
propitious for a turbulent May l in
the southern lands. In the midst of
the hardest economic depression Of
which there is memory. Communist in
vitations to rebellion and the establish
naturally were expected to result in,
at least, minor outbreaks in the day
devoted to the working classes.
From all the experiences of mankind
discomfort among the masses Is sup
posed to spread faster in times Of
economic distress This once, however,
1t seems that the formula has not
worked that way. Economic conditions
are so severe throughout Latin Ameri-
ca, so unusual that discomfort seems
to have given place to fear.
Content Shown.
The first signs of the crisis did pro-
duce discomfort. The result of such
discomfort, coupled with political
motives, was the series of violent
changes of government which Latin
America experienced during 1880 and
tho fret mort 1Q91 uytYoy1
conditions failed to improve under the
new regimes and the world wideness
and the seriousness of the depression
were realized, security and self
preservation became the dominant
impulse
Small proprietors now are only
concerned with the salvage of their
threatened properties. The workers,
with the preservation of their jobs. The
masses, with the securance of their
food. Only those groups of the popu-
lation which call themselves "intel-
lectual workers" are still looking to
the harsh methods of militant COM
munism as the only remedy for their
sufferings.
The rest Of the population-authori-
ties, professional classes, political
leaders, business men-are all CO.
operating to preserve the existing
order of things. Internal peace is the
essential requirement for the success
of their endeavors. Hence, Communist
agitation is the common enemy" to
them.
So far, the masses seem to be on
their side. Probably the very serious
ness of the economic crisis Is RESPONSE
BILE for this. Depression, instead of q
help, has resulted, in Latin America,
in check to Communist propaganda.
Perhaps only temporary check, but
an actual one, just the same.
Whatever be the reason, the truth
is that public opinion in Latin America
appears to be not yet quite ready to
support the violent, radical methods
of Communist planners. The quiet
ness and simplicity which character
lied May day is only the latest proof
Of that. Other more tangible develop
ments have shown the same trend
during the last few months.
First indications of this reaction of
Latin American opinion against the
advance of radical political ideas we're
evident in the presidential elections
of Chile, Peru and Ecuador during
the latter part of last year.
Conservatives Win.
In all three cases. the conservative
candidates, those who had the support
of the better classes and the financial
circles, emerged victorious. Juan
Esteban Montero in Chile, Neptail
Bonifaz in Ecuador and Col. Sanchez
Cerro in Peru represented the con-
servative spirit, as against a tendency
of reform and more or less radical
changes which the other candidates
had advocated, to the qualification of
the left sectors.
The success of these three men
two of whom were previously almost
unknown and the other an exile from
his own country until q few weeks
before the elections-could only be
explained by a strong reaction of
popular sentiment, in those three
southern countries, in favor Of the
established order of things.
Hidalgo and Alessandri in Chile,
Haya de Ia Tore in Peru and the
Liberal candidates in Ecuador had
included in their platforms revolution
airy principles which gave their
candidates. a flavor decidedly socialis-
tic to say the least Trying to attract
the support, of the masses, and over
estimating the influence of labor
elements in South American politics,
they probably thought that periods Of
economic distress were the ripest for
speculating on social and financial
reforms, with political gains in sight.
Instead, their vociferous propaganda
had an opposite effect. Their repeated
mention of Communist principles,
particularly in Peru and Chile, alarmed
the middle clasSes-smal proprietors,
government employees, country farmers
which still form the "vox populi" in
those republics. Once the fears of
the middle classes had been aroused,
it was easy for the conservatives to
gain them to their side
Besides, there was no other choice.
They either had to elect the reformers
and gamble with the future, or support
the conservatives-the constituted ele-