Evening star., 1934-12-30
LATINS REMEMBER 1884
FOR DEPRESSION LET.UP
Year Packed With Political Events of
international Significance for
Other American Nations.

was in accord with the good neigh
Dor" policy.
Nineteen hundred thirty-four pro-
vided two other events of information
al significance for the Central Ameri-
can republics. One was the Central
American conference called by Presi-
dent Ubico of Guatemala, which, un-
fortunately, fell short of its avowed
objective Of laying down the bases for
greater political and economic CO.
operation among the five states which
at various time have attempted to
form and maintain a united Central
American Federation of Nations. The
other was the assassination of Gen
Sanoino in Nicaragua, while the man
who had established himself as the
symbol of anti-imperialism was nego-
tiating for certain reforms in the
government of his country.
In South America, although the
memory of 1884 will be darkened, as
were the two previous years, by the
tragedy of the Chaco warfare, the
year just ending has one auspicious
event to its credit, the final settlement
of the controversy between Colombia
and Peru over Leticia. Another con-
f1ict which had already resulted in a
series of minor armed clashes was
prevented from degenerating into a
major international war which could
have easily equaled the bitterness and
the havoc of that being fought in the
Chaco. The contrast gave encourage
ment to those who still refuse to
give up the hope that reason may
be made to prevail in the affairs
Of nations, if it were only invoked
in time.
Six Government Changes.
Also on the credit column of 1924
must be listed the six constitutional
changes of government which took
place during the year in different
regions of Latin America. In Hun
duras. Gen. Carfas, elected at the polls
by the opposition party, was, never
theless, inaugurated in Office by his
political opponents, who even helped
him to maintain his authority over
a small minority of discontents. In
Colombia, DR.. Alfonso Lopez peace
fully succeeded Enrique Olaya Her.
rera, the first liberal president in
several decads. Further to the south,
DR.. Velasco Ibarra was inaugurated
constitutional President of Ecuador, in
spite of parliamentary opposition to
some of his announced policies. Only
a few weeks ago, Mexico, which is
giving these days examples of political
cfohiIitv ond nrooraee;ya rroy.r,,~.o o,,t
had another peaceful and legal change
Of chief executives. Gen. Lazaro Car
denas took the helm from the hands
of Gen. Abelardo Rodriguez, having
been selected for the task by an over
whelming majority of the Mexican
electorate, and began at once to carry
out the revolutionary six-year plan
which is attracting, again, to Mexico,
the eyes Of the world.
In two other Latin American re-
publics there were orderly presidential
inaugurations during 1894. Although
both il Brazil and in the Dominican
Republic those inaugurated as Presi-
dent were the same men who held
the office before their reelection COM
piled with the legal provisions of their
respective constitution, and, appar-
emily, had the support Of their people.
This series of peaceful changes of
government, in marked contrast with
the violent upsets of the depression
years." constitutes the best sign Of
the approaching return of normal
times for Latin America-even though
the new year may still bring with it
q few surprises.
(Copyright.. 1e343 .