Evening star., 1942-02-18

EHS ptStC OF CHuG0H nSbOSpUpSTs
men last year tDho ,nere guests OF
American newspapers, including
The Star. The Interchange OF
Journalists Dds arranged BY
United States Ambassador to
Chile Claude Bospers.
by HAROLD B. ROGERS.
SANTIAGO, Chile (MaiD.-The
presidential election In Chile Feb
ruary l was conducted In such an
eficient and orderly manner that
it may well be considered . good
example Of one Of the most vital
processes Of democracy.
1t was my privilege to see Chileans
casting their ballots at various vot-
ing places of the city. The system
of registration had been set up to
work smoothly and without delay.
At times lines fromed at tables
where voters were checked against
the registration lists. But the men
came quietly, stood in line patiently,
were checked from the lists, signed
the necessary papers, obtained ON
cial envelopes into which to insert
the vote, went to their specified
booths, returned with the ballots
and dropped the envelopes into the
ballot boxes.
Conspicuous but friendly at all the
voting places were army troops, IN
full regalia, and the carabineros, or
<nS>roI v>o1ico x,oonx, ~ ~ am yyoo,rof.
ed on horseback. Quietly but
efficiently they kept the crowds
moving, not only inside the build
ings and patios, where the ballot
boxes were located, but also outside
In the nearby streets.
Troops Are Impressive.
Impressive were the army troops
In steel helmets, guns with fixed
bayonets and field equipment. The
carabineros carried their ever-pres-
ent rifles, but without bayonets fixed.
The manner Of these armed men
was firm and ef1icient, but polite. At
one time, while two Of us were
standing in a street near q voting
place, q carabinero came up and
said: would you be 50 kind as to
circulate7" It was said in . soft
and agreeable voice. At another
time on the Plaza de Armas, oppo-
site the city hall, where . great
group Of people were going in and
out, carabineros quietly kept the
crowd on the street back with occa-
sional mild requests.
There was no disturbance, no
shouting, no excitement about the
polls. In contrast to the eager en-
thusiasm Of the campaign, when
there had been parades, crowds,
shouting, cheering, and much ex-
citement about the streets Of the
Chilean capital. Away from the
polling places an occasional man or
woman could be seen walking up
the street, calling the name Of the
favorite candidate. Now and then
the name Of Rios or Ibanez was
shouted from q passing automobile
or street car.
Noisy Demonstrations.
But In and near the polls. there
was perfect order and quiet. AS the
hour for closing the ballot boxes
neared, I was at the Plaza de Arma.
again. People came and went at the
City Hall, many stood on the side.
walk In the plaza opposite. Soldier,
and carabineros quietly stayed or
duty, many Of the latter with Their
horses. At q few minutes before 4
o'clock few late arrivals hurried
along the streets, and skipped ur
the steps, taking two steps at time
to get in before 4 O'Clock. AS q
clock in some nearby tower tolled
out the hour, many persons looked
at their watches, made quiet COM
ments, nodded their heads. There
was no cheering, shouting, no COM
motion. Much Of the crowd dis
persed.
Later that night as election re-
turns were broadcast at various
places throughout the city I saw
and heard many noisy demonstra-
tions as I went about to view the
results Of the election. But 50 far
rs I saw there was no disorder
Democracy At Work.
In the United States, unfortu-
nately, there has existed in some
quarters the too general notion thai
elections in Latin America are at.
tended by violence and bloodshed
It u true that in Chile there wert
two deaths several days previouI
to the election. during the heat o.
the campaign. It Is likewise tru'
that In certain parts Of the Unitet
States there sometimes Is bloodshet
during heated political campaigns
But the presidential election II
Chile, February 1, which I observet
as . keenly Interested North Amer
lean loft two outstanding impres
Sions.
First: The enlightened, civilized
and Nberty-loving people Of Chill
have demonstrated their ability II
conduct an election In accordance
with the best concepts Of democracy
accepting the verdict Of the majorit.
in good sportsmanship.
Second: The example Of thi
election day in Chile should 60 IA.
in the United States toward dis
pelling the notion that Latin Amer
lean elections ere accompanied b,
unfortunate incidents, and undem
ocratic procedures.