Evening star., 1932-06-12


lomatic post to the presi-
dental chair there seems to be only
a short step for Latin American states
men And this appears particularly
true of the last few years.
OF the 20 Ambassadors and Minis
tiers Of Latin American countries who
were accredited to the White House
at the beginning OF the present ad-
ministration-that is, three years ago
the names of IL of them have ap-
peared in headlines at one time or
another. in connection with the high
est post" in their respective lands.
AS l write these lines three Latin
American republics have as chief ex-
ecutives personages who less than three
years ago we're the diplomatic repre-
sentatives Of those nations in Wash
ington. President Olaya OF Colombia,
dent Davila of Chile were until re-
Gently among the most popular MEM
bers Of the Capitals diplomatic set.
Three Others in Limelight.
Three others of their colleagues,
former Minister Argueta of Honduras,
former Ambassador Tellez of Mexico
and former Ambassador Ferrara of
Cuba are occupying in their countries
positions second only to that OF the
President and their names often are
mentioned as possible successors to
the incumbents. In the case OF
Senor Ferrara constitutional objections
would have to be overcome.
Still another one, former Minister
Sacasa of Nicaragua. is campaigning
for the presidency CT that republic
and apparently will have the whole
hearted support of the Nicaraguan
people in the October elections.
To the names of these Latin Ameri-
can ex-chiefs Of mission who, since they
left diplomacy, have figured promi-
nently in connection with their coun-
tries highest office, those of the men
who represented Guatemala, Bolivia.
Ecuador and Salvador at the time the
former were in Washington also could
be added. At different times they have
been mentioned by their respective po-
litical friends at home as presidential
possibilities.
The proportion-12 out of 20-is
really impressive, even If the precedent
is not entirely new. Many former
Latin American chief of mission in
Washington has subsequently been Sc
lected to head his government back
home. But the tendency has certainly
never been so pronounced as it has in
the last three years.
Post Becomes Important.
Better evidence of the growing i'm
portance which the Washington diplo-
matte post is acquiring in the eyes OF
Latin Americans could not be found.
Political and economic considerations, as
they develop material interdependence
and moral understanding among the
nations of the Western Hemisphere, are
furthering more and more the !mpor-
tance of Washington as a center Of dip
lomatic discussions and international
negotiations.
That the Latin American republics
have so realized is shown by the fact
they have been sending their best-qual-
flied men to Washington in the last
few years. And that they were really
their best-qualified men seems to be
proven now by the commanding role
trey are playing today In the destinies
OF those countries
II is interesting to pick up back
copy Of the State Departments little
blue book-the diplomatic list-only
three years old and check up on the
names of the Latin American chiefs OF
mission.
The first one of them to attain inter-
national prominence was Senor Enrique
Olaya, the Minister from Colombia
Still discharging his diplomatic duties
In Washington, he was selected presi-
dental candidate by the Liberal party
OF Colombia, which had been out OF
power for many years. On a leave ol
absence. Senor Olaya vent to Colombia
received an unusually enthusiastic vel
come, toured the country in a modern
overwhe helmingly elected with the genera
applause of the Colombian people.
Still Holds Office.
After his election. he returned tt
Washington, closed up his official duties
took leave Of President Hoover. ane
then in his capacity of sPresident-elect
Of Colombia. was entertained by oficia