The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1935-05-31
WORLDS WORST
DICTATOR RULES
SANTO DOMINGO
All Liberties Suppressed in
Ruthless Fashion, Exile
Charges.
BY WILLIAM PHILIP SIMMS
scrinps-HaHara TorsIEn LdItor

WASHINGTON, May 3l.-What
is nov perhaps the worlds most
absolute dictatorship is not in Eu-
rope. Asa or Africa, as Americans
might casually suppose. but right at
Uncle Sans front dorm the Do
minican Republic.
It's lord and master is Gen. Rafael
Leonidas TruHllo-Aiolina. common
iy called TrujilIo pronounced
Trooh-ee-yo). There IS a cabinet,
but its members are his men. And
q congress. but 10 votes unanimously
what he tells It to vote.
Ny life may pay for 1t If I tell
YOU these things" said Angel Nor
ales. Dominican attorney now in ex-
lie IN this country. "A friend II
mine was recently shOt IN New York
when mistaken for me But I viii
not hide. Nor Will I keep silent. l
am not afraid.
Press DareS Not Criticise"
"A complete censorship has been
clamped down on the island. There
IS no such thing there as a free
press or free speech. No Dominican
newspaper would dare print any
thing hostile TO the regime. The
editor would pay for his indiscre-
ton with MS life.
From Cuba sometimes the radio
made he little Czarevitch, but a
regular one.
THE Little Colonels' appoint
ment was published IN the official
gazette. He receives $500 a month
salary. wears a full colonels uni
form. and wherever he goes soldiers
broadcasts criticisms Of the dictator.
People IN Santo Domingo. like peo-
pie in this country. love to listen in
But the moment the name Trujillo
is heard coming through, they don't
wait 10 hear more. They spring up
and shut it of, or switch to another
station.
1T isn't that they are fond Of the
dictator. They are afraid neigh
bors or passersby might hear an
-Trujillo speech coming out OF
the house and report its inmates as
enemies. And that might bring
fatal consequences.
The dictator is the law Of the
land. He has a 5-year-old son
named after him. Trujillo made
him a full-fledged colonel Of the
army or constabulary-not just an
honorary colonel such as the Car
and Junior officers click their heels
and salute him."
Made One President
President Trujillo rose from oh
security. He was a sergeant Of con-
stabulary when the American
Marines were in occupation. Later
he rose to captain, colonel, and
second in command. In 1890, by a
coup d'etat. he put a temporary
president in Office. then held an
election and made himself chief OF
state
There are no longer any political
parties in Santo Domingo" said
Morales. There is only one party
and that is Trujillos SO, when
Truiulo ran for reelection last
wear. no one else received a vote.
He was reelected unanimously. He
doubtless will continue to be, every
four years hereafter.
1t was the Old Deal that put
TruuIlo in power. But it is the
New Deal that keeps him there.
The American policy of tn, good
neighbOr' is splendid. But IN this
particular case WashingtOn's de-
termination not to intervene in any
way is playing into the hands OF
tyrant."
The republic occupies the eastern
tvo-thirds of the Island Of Santo
Domingo. second largest Of the
Greater Antilles group. 1t is in the
Caribbean between Cuba and
Puerto Rico. Haiti occupies the
western end.
In size it is about 10000 square
miles. twice as big as Vermont. and
il is very fertile Its population Is
estimated at 100000 of mixed
European. Indian and Negro races.
Spanish Is spoken.
Today. over that corner OF the
southern sea hoveTs an omlnouS
silence. Almost no news comes out.