Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1954-07-04
GuotemoIon Tells How Reds
InfiItered as Friends of Poor

ENDS OF POOr
official radio and press, infil-
trated important government de-
partments and made United
States imperialism" the whip
ping boy for all Guatemala's ills.
BY 1851 the Communists had
worked their way into control Of
the General Labor Federation
and the Farm Workers Fedora
ton. The key job OF secretary in
both organizations was firmly in
Communist hands.
The Communists rapid strides
alarmed a lot Of liberty loving
Guatemalans even though the
government appeared to see no
danger. Thousands took part in
street demonstrations clamoring
for dissolution of the Commu-
mist Party in accordance with
the constitutional ban on politi-
cal groups with foreign ties.
In October, 1851, anti-Com-
munists presented Congress a
petition signed by $4,000 citizens
and asking that the Communist
Party be outlawed. The petition
was pigeonholed. Communists by
this time had so much influence
that even government party Con-
gressmen who had anti ommu-
mist sentiments remained mute.
Nevertheless, the Communists
deemed it wise to mask their
official status by forming the
"Guatemalan Workers Party"
There were only $500 signers of
the party registration papers, an
indication of the small number
OF Guatemalans willing to be
known as Communists or pro-
Communists.
Disguised as Workers Party.
Despite the Communists OBJ
vious subterfuge, the govern
ment ignored demands by anti
Communists that the new party
be outlawed.
Under the guise Of q workers
party, the Reds intensified their
p 70 p gand a. United States
owned companies in Guatemala
were constantly attacked as arms
OF the Yankee imperialistic
octopus. The United States
Government itself was assailed
in frequent diatribes in both the
Communist and government
newspapers.
In 1853 the anti United States
campaign led-to an effective bar
by the government on the i'm
portation Of Hollywood Aims
through the medium of prohibi-
tive tariffs. On the screens OF
the capitals cinemas American
films gave way to Russian
movies. heavily larded with
Communist propaganda.
The influence Of international
communism was evident in other
ways. Guatemalan Communist
leaders shuttled betweene this
country and Moscow or its sa-
tellite capitals. Foreign Commu-
nists came to Guatemala to give
advice and encouragement.
| Tourist Trade Ruined.
Increasing publicity on Com
munist activity In Guatemals
practically ruined this country.
once rich tourist trade but IL
focused the Reds here in q spot.
light which they did not like
Communists drove Guatemala
into an increasingly isolated
position among the countries Of
the Western Hemisphere as q
means Of protecting themselves
Guatemala, for example, wa.
the foremost proponent Of the
plan to form the Organization
of Central American States but
refused to attend the initia.
meeting.
It charged that some member
states were giving aid to con.
spirators against the Guatema.
Ian regime. The real reason wa!
the Communists objection to thu
agenda item proposing a study
of means whereby the organiza.
ton could combat Communis
infiltration in Central America
Guatemala subsequently with
drew.
The same kind Of Communis
pressure was reflected in Guate'
| mala's attitude at the Inter
American Conference in Caraca
last March. 1t was the onl.
country to vote against tn
United StateS-sponsored anti
Communist resolution.
| ANTI Communist persecution
increased constantly last year
especially after the government
announced it had discovered
conspiracy In Salama. Romul
Reyes Flores. a ro-Communis
judge In Salama. railroaded
number Of anti-C Communists I
jail where they were tortured o
killed or both. Yesterday tn
Judge was executed by Q firin
squad for his role ct Salama.
In January the government
enlarged thAt Honduras and Ne