Evening star., 1933-02-13
AMERICA TOUCHED
BY DICTATOR TREND
Powers Proposed for Roose
welt, However, Mild CON-
Z pared to Dozen Others.
By the Associated Press.

NEW YORK, February 13-Endow-
ment of President-elect Roosevelt with
extraordinary powers for reorganiZa-
tion as contemplated by some Demo-
cratic leaders would be a mild in
novation indeed to a dozen nations
whose constitutional governments have
emerged under economic pressure as
relationships.
Even in this country, with Speaker
Garner urging the mantle OF
Dionysius upon his chief, there are
others who would go further. Norman
Thomas believes the country is on the
verge of real dictatorship; Alfred E.
Smith thinks some form of dictatorial
power to carry on public works would
be worth while.
The depression is at least partly re-
sponsible for the partial eclipse of
Athenian democracy. Iron men have
risen in many places to fight the
economic crisis single-handed. To
them and their disciples democracies
are incapable of economizing adequate
ly, therefore they are an extravaganza
in themselves and must be foregone
until better times return.
Apostles Of MiIitarism.
The modern dictators also are apos-
ties of vigorous nationalisIn Germany'S
Adolf Hitler rode to power on plat
form of nationalist promises Italy's
Mussolini thinks first of his own peo-
pie and their interests.
Hungary now has its 'Mussolini" in
Premier julius Goemboes; Mustapha
Kemal Pasha is banishing every trace
of Greek and Arabic influence from
Turkey; Polands Marshal Pilsudski is
q constitutional dictator and the es-
sence of them all is Stain.
Even England, priding itself on
government responsive to the will of
the people, got around what appeared
to be en- inevitable series of elections
by setting up a National" Cabinet
combining the strongest features of all
the parties.
In France those two political rivals,
Tardieu and Herriot, have put out feel
forces against the numerically powerful
Socialists, and what both conceive to be
the menace Of faScism.
Jugoslavia's King Alexander holds to-
gether the Croats, the Slovenes and the
Serbs, dictator of three peoples. Boris
of Bulgaria holds the veto power over
his Parliament. King zog of Albania,
fretting at limitations imposed upon
him as President, made himself King
and holds on to the throne In Ru-
mania, King Carols whims more than
once have become laws.
Rivera Died in Defeat.
Spains postwar dictator, Primo de
Rivera, died in defeat, but Premier
Manuel Azana is accused by his foes of
reviving the role. Spanish America has
its iron men, too Not long ago Mexico
changed presidentS-Ortiz Rubio re-
signed and Rodriguez succeeded him
and there was no bloodshed. The man
credited with effecting this event,
peacefully for change, was Gen.
Gales, the power behind the presi-
dency.
In Cuba, President Machado rules
under virtual martial law, with consti-
tutional guarantees suspended. Presi-
dent Justo of Argentina quashed a
threatened rebellion in December with
similar powers and today is constitu-
tional dictator. With revolt presently
threatening in Uruguay, leaders there
seek constitutional change to free the
President from sharing Joint rule with
an administrative council,
The reputed strong man" in Japan,
where military elements hold the upper
hand, supported by a foundation of
religio-imperial power, is the minister of
war, Gen. Sadao Araki. Chinas Ma
tionalist government has its military
dictator, Gen. Chang Kai-Shek, and
there are lesser war lords out of reach
of Nankng. But minor dictators are
legion in Asia and Africa, too.