Evening star., 1933-10-15
BY GASTON NERVAL.

~ ONFIDENT that the new deal
4 will not be confined TO domestic
problems, but will be extended
~ also to the foreign policies Of
the United States. the Presi-
dent of Panama has come to Washing
ton. He hopes to negotiate with Presi-
dent Roosevelt for fairer treatment
of the Central American republic whose
sovereignty and internal economy are
being hampered by an abusive interpre-
tation of privileges granted the Gov
ernment Of the United States when an
other Roosevelt was at the helm.
To those familiar with the psychology
Of Latin American politics, the move
may seem rather "unpolitical." Presi-
dent Arias might be risking his political
prestige at home by coming to the
United States to secure better terms for
the Panamanian people Whatever he
fails to obtain will be charged against
him. Whatever disappointment the
Panamanians may have in their expec-
tation Of a changed attitude on the
part Of the United States will be laid
at his doorstep. And we all realize
how exaggerated the expectations OF the
people back home" can be.
Believes in Doing Right.
But those who know Harmodio Arias
know he could not have been deferred
bv reasons Of internal politics or per-
sonal considerations. He is the kind OF
a man who believes in the pre-emlnence
of duty. His whole public career Is
straight line, without compromising de-
yiatiOns, He is the kind of man VINO
believes in doing the right thing, once
he has decided which is the right thing,
irrespective. and If necessary, in spite
of. personal interests or conveniences;
If Harmodio Arias thinks that MS
trip to the United States is to work 10
the present advantage OF the Pananan-
ian people, whom he has sworn to serve,
not even the certainty-not to say the
probability-that 1t would detract 1iom
his political prestige at home would
have prevented his taking the trip.
He is one person-one among thou-
sands when speaking Of men engaged IN
politics. in Latin America or anywhere
else-who has never been actuated py
considerations Of personal gain. IRat
and his stalwart honesty are the out
standing characteristics of his career,
career as enlightening and as full OF
human interest as that Of any self f-made
leader typical Of public life IN the
United States.
Had Modest Origin.
Or. Arias, who does not conceal his
modest origin and the absence OF ma
terial resources with which he started,
had none Of the advantages and all OF
the hsndicaps that stand in the way OF
success when he first faced the battle
of life. Lacking money, influential rel
atives or interested pulls, he was alone
in the world when he came out OF high
school with a group Of more fortunate
young men, for whom Providence had
provided better.
But Harmodio Arias had other assets
Intangible assets-which were going
to carry him to position which none
OF his schoolmates ever approached.
Character, ambition and superior
mind With these he set out to make
something Of himself He entered COM
petition with group Of distinguished
students for a government scholarship
in Europe He won the scholarship and
then he chose Cambridge. in England.
one of the two most difficult and ex-
pensive universities, in which to COM
plete his education.
Naturally, what he received from the
Panamanian government was by far
insufficient to cover his expenses and
studies in Cambridge. He had to do
some secretarial work at nights. and,
even so, could not conclude his studies
without incurring personal debts. When
the brand-neT lawyer returned to
Panama with Cambridge diploma
under his arm he had only creditors for
friends.
Won Suits and Prestige.
Then began the hardest chapter Of
his life: Unknown. doubted. opposed by
older and weather. competitors, Dr.
Arias set himself to work. He worked
hard. continuously. undefatigably. This
period Of his life may seem monotonous
in q narrative story. but the constant
struggle, the daily efforts Of these years
OF routine work were full Of color and
romance in real life. 1t Is in those years
Of strenuous work that DR.. Arias made
his reputation.
Ht not onlv won suits in the courts,
but won for himself wide prestige both
as lawyer and as a man Of unflinch-
ing honesty. Wherever he appeared he
made friends and admirers He soon