Evening star., 1941-03-16
Discusses New Order
in Latin America
BIZ Frederic J. Hdskin.

pdI llOuloAIy VI IIlt SIlIGCO OLdlCos btAAls
in terms of closer relationship with
the Latin American republics, there is
a tendency to consider the background
and influences of the Presidents Of
these republics, for in each instance
the chief executive is regarded as the
key to national welfare. This thought
is quite 1atural for only few decades
ago there we're revolutions, relationships
and uprJsings that often occurred in
many Latin American countries and
usually centered around the chief ruler.
The position of Latin American chief
magistrate is unique. It is he who has
to bear the brunt of all criticism if his
country affairs are so conducted as to
arouse public displeasure That he does
not have more than ordinary power to
alter the course of events is attested by
the quickness with which in times of
strain the people exchange one Presi-
dent for another. His opportunities and
temptations are probably greater than
any Other official in a similar position
has to face. He can use his Office for
almost unlimited power in behalf Of
and conversely he can use it for self
aggrdndizement.
In some respects the whole history
Of Latin America is reflected in the
changing attitudes toward the chief
administrator. The changes have oc-
CURED not only in the minds of the in
cumbents in regard to the Office. but
IN varying ways the people as a whole
have looked at and considered the
heads Of their governments Whereas,
in the past the constitutional checks to
arbitrary action on the part of the
Presidents have been ineffective, the
people in recent years have shown de-
termination that these checks shall be
effective in practice as we'll as on paper.
They now call their Presidents to ac-
count, and in a most forcible manner.
The que stion as to why Latin Ameri-
can Presidents are so powerful is a
pertinent ore. Individuals have always
played important roles in Latin Ameri-
can affairs and the interaction of racial,
geographic, economic, social, traditional
and historical forces has done the rest.
Possibly traditional forces are the
strongest.
In the history of Latin America there
have been four types of chief execu-
tives: The viceroy representing the
absolute rulers of the 1berian Peninsula:
the military dictators, who came close
upon the winning of independence and
who ruled until the 7Os; the civilian
dictator, who appeared in the DAYS when
industrialization began to take place,
and the present constitutional Presi-
dent. The last represents newer social
and economic classes and he takes his
place by the side of the landed aristo-
crat, the army officer and the church,
man OF tie old regime. But the preroga-
tives, privileges and powers of the Latin
American President differ from those
accorded to the President of the United
States, not only by virtue of the con-
stitutional provisions regarding them
and because of the traditions of the
Office, but also because of the greater
part Latir Americans expect their Presi-
dents to play. History explains this.
The Indians Spaniards and Portueuese
OF today are the descendants of people
VINO were accustomed to being governed
by absolute sovereigns The Indians Of
Peru and Mexico were ruled by monarchs
who directed even the details of the
lives Of the people. These monarchs
were superseded by viceroys no less
powerful The Iberan Viceroy in the
New World, too, had the right to over
see many details of the conduct in
the lives of his Indian or Iberian sub
Jects, ruling them with an iron hand.
In colonial times Of the Latin Amer
lean countries all phases of activity
were regulated by church and state.
The state ordered the coming and going
OF It's subjects. The church, the right
arm OF the state, directed all matters
relating to birth. marriage and death.
Everything came from above, the good
and the bad, and always at the center
OF distribution stood an individual,
man 1t was this very parsonage that
the first Presidents had to succeed. and
1t seems that what actually happened
was inevitable, for all things conspired
to force the early military Presidents to
continue type Of government that the
people had become accustomed to during
an earlier period of their lives.
Bernard OHiggins of Chile is one Of
the most interesting of the early soldier
Presidents of the troublesome transition
period. Son of former viceroy, he
belonged to the landed aristocracy and
represented the cultured Creole class Of
his day. In the versatility of his interests
and his technique, OHiggins was like
most of the military Presidents of the
first half century of Latin American
independence. During this period they
dominated the scene. but in the second
half century new industrial processes
played havoc with the old regime. The
new order brought upon the scene
new type of ruler, the man who seeks to
modernize his people and raise them to
high economic and cultural levels.
There are many things which have
contributed to this change-increase In
population. complications arising from
modern life, and abandonment of
colonial ideas and institutions forced by
the economic competition of the New
World Then there has been a greater
alignment of society and the greater
spread OF democratic ideas. All these
things have made the personal party
and the one-man government impossible.
Thus the situation in Latin America