Evening star., 1933-07-30
PERU HAS 4 PRESIDENTS
WITHIN SPACE OF 4 YEARS
National Day Finds Different Chief
Executive at Head of Government
During Trying Period.

| bility. that the constitutional elections
demanded by the people could be called.
But by that time, the sectors of the left
| had to such an extent become organized
| and spread their propaganda, that the
conservative elements, headed by the
old Civiista party. found themselves,
when the presidential elections of Octo-
ber. 1881, were only few months away.
before an enemy much more powerful
than thev had expected. Alarmed by
the possibilities of radical victory.
they recalled Sanchez Cerro from his
exile. and impressing upon the Peruvian
people, and particularly upon the mid
die class, that he was the only guaran-
! tee against the atrocities and excesses"
of red government" they succeeded
in having him nominated presidential
candidate.
Against him stood Haya de la Tore.
founder Of the Apra party, who advo-
Gated united front of working people
and intellectuals for a more equitable
distribution Of wealth and the exploita-
ton Of natural resources by national
elements.
Align Behind Sanchez Cerro.
| Frightened by the tone Of the
Aprista electoral campaign, not only
the conservatives, but the middle class,
the professional groups, the army, the
church, all the organized factions which
still control Peruvian politics, aligned
themselves behind Sanchez Cerro and
gave him their votes. They went to
him because he was the only one able
to maintain order and to head a con-
stitutional government which would
protect and preserve the existing order
| Of things. And because they knew he
would have the support of the armed
forces to do so.
Thus. July 2s. 1882, found Col. San
chez Cerro presiding over the des-
TIMES Of the Peruvian Republic. But
this time his regime was not different
from his previous one. New persecu-
tions, new martial laws, new political
prisoners, new expressions, until, q
few months ago, the gun of q fanatic
Aprista put an end to his sensational
career. And so July %. 1888, found
a new man, Gen. Benavides, at the
helm.
The 112th year of Peruvian inde-
pendence will probably be remembered
by two outstanding events: One inter-
nal and the other external.
The first one Is the enactment Of
a new constitution, the product of
more than a whole years debate by
the Constitutional Assembly called for
that purpose. Although originally in
tended to satisfy national aspirations
for more liberal and progressive gov
eminent, the new constitution bears
striking resemblance to that written
in 1920. in the dawn of the Leguia
dictatorship. Consequently. 1t has
caused much disappointment, received
much criticism. and it might some
day be the cause of new and bitter
internecine disturbances.
legislative System Retained.
Under the new charter, the tradi-
Ytional two-chamber legislative system
is preserved with senate composed of
40 members. Of whom Is are nominated
by Congress and Is elected by popular
vote. Individual rights and guaran-
ties are safeguarded on paper, as
they were under the Leguia regime,
but no means Of control are afforded
to check the abuses of an autocratic
government Freedom of conscience
and the right Of the individual to
express his opinion on any subject
are conceded. but lin harmony with
existing laws"
Women are not allowed to vote. As
for political liberties, the existence Of
youthful movement which seeks new
deaP for the Peruvian masses and a
continental-wides social reform-has re-
suited in the insertion in the new
constitution of clauses such as the fol-
lowing: 1.-The state does not recognize
the legal existence Of political parties
of an international character. All
those belonging to such parties are dis
qualified from holding public Office"
But for more than anything else, the
year which has just concluded for
Peru will be remembered by the armed
conflict with Colombia over the Lett
cia territory. Beginning with the sud-
den dramatic seizure of that little Co.
lombian port on the Amazon River By
Peruvian irregulars, and following with
a series Of armed skirmishes between
the military forces of both countries,
this unofficial" war threatened for q
moment the whole peace machinery Of
the world. Its adjustment, by the
League of Nations, is now affording
an opportunity for new experiment
in world affairs. the employment of an
international army at the service Of
the League to aid in the peaceful set
tlement Of conflicts.
| (Copyrisht, 1889