Evening star., 1939-07-05

ClOn 10 MS DOCK Wnlcn illustrates
Gen. Trujillo's manner of forward, {,
Ing government through discipline.
The biographer and the biographer S
hero are talking. Mr.. Besault re-
ports:
Il remarked that band concert
IN a public park in Santo Domingo
had heard the previous evening had
been a magnificent spectacle, and
the spontaneity and pride with
which every one had jumped to his
feet and stood at attention during
the playing Of the Dominican ma
tional hymn had been particularly
impressive.
"'All that IS new to our country
said President Trujillo. Formerly,
1t was not done by Dominicans.
When I first came into office, Or
dered that our national hymn should
be played at the beginning and end
OF every public concert, and that
every one should rise and stand at
attention. Few people obeyed at
first, but they learned.
Soldiers Enforced Decree,
"'At one time I sent a company
OF soldiers out to enforce the orders.
Now every one rises at the national
hymn, and also when the President
Of the republic passes. Don't you
think that is tyranny
TYRANNY repeated.
Eyes. I have been accused of not
respecting liberty because of insisting
that there is an obligation to respect
our hymn-because I have wanted
to instill patriotic concept among
my people,"
Then Mr.. Besault throws some
light on the Trujillo educational pro-
gram:
He went on to speak of a primer
for children which he wrote and
with his own funds distributed to
all the school children of the
Dominican Republic. 1t is an ex-
traordinary document, in simple,
crisp words, outlining the duties of
citizen and the need for peace,
order, work and patriotism"
There are eXiles in Washington
from the Trujillo regime.
The general was born the son of
storekeeper and cattle dealer. In
1919, three years after the beginning
OF the marine occupation of Domin-
lea. he was graduated a second
lieutenant from the National Mill
tary School. He advanced in the
army under the tutelage of the
marine corps, and when the marines
were withdrawn in 1924 he had be-
come a colonel. BY 1929 he was
generalissimo.
Won Place After Revolt.
During revolt in February, 1890,
against the Dominican president,
Gen. Horatio Vasquez, the Domin-
lcan army. under Gen. Trujillo
stood by and did not defend the
chief executive. Vasquez was I'M
seated and Trujillo became the
presidential candidate of the Con-
federation of Parties. In May he
was elected and in August he took
office.
Latin eXcitements attended the
Trujlllo strides toward the pres
idency. Three years ago Charles
Thomson, then with the Foreign
Policy Association, now with the
State Department., wrote:
The period succeeding Gen. Tru-
Jillo's entry into the presidential
campaign witnessed the death or
mysterious disappearance of great
number of his opponents. These in
cluded former cabinet ministers. ex-
Senators, leading politicians, Jour-
nallstS, ranchers. businessmen, stu
dents and labor leaders"
Despite many provocations, the
American State Department has not
adopted a stern attitude toward
TruJlllos government. And until
new this government has not fiat
tered his aspirations. But in the
gradual change of the good neigh
Dor" policy into a policy for insuring
the military and political impregna-
bility of the western hemisphere
against the subtle bombardments of
the European dictator powers, the
Importance of the Dominican Re-
public has taken on new i'm
pOrtance.
Germanic Leanings Denied.
Both Gen. Trujillo and the Do
minican Legation here have been
quick to deny that Trujillo has Ger
manic leanings. But the United
States Government is taking no
chances. And after all, even though
Gen. Trujillo is a devotee of ma
tional discipline" he can for the rec
ord contemplate democracy in the
abstract with good will. Biographer
Besault quotes him:
THE world, in thinking of democ-