Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1962-08-01
u. S. and Peru

ruvian situation are eye
openers and they bear out
what I suspected the mo-
ment President Kennedy in
voked strong diplomatic CEN
sure Of the military junta.
In the past decade, we
have seen our foreign policy
taking a definite leftist pen
chant. This is so consistent
that firm predictions Of our
commitments can be made.
We indorse revolutions like
those in Algeria and Cuba
since they result In democra-
cies-the kind that flourish
in Poland and East Ger
many, peoples democra-
cies." Our State Department
and most Of our press con-
denim unequivocally Franco
and Salazar. They are be-
rated as "dictators," while
Mao Tse-tung. Khrushchev
and Tito are "premiers,"
"chairmen," leaders" The
trend is to knock down your
friends and your self-ad-
mitted enemies.
1t is time for American cit
liens who are footing the bill
to stop and take a good look
at this steady course which
is being so doggedly pursued
by our Government. The ship
Of state is in the hands Of
men who seem to think the
red star replaces the so
stars in setting our course in
foreign affairs.
In the instance Of the mill
tary takeover In Peru, you
have seen through this dan
gerous trend and you deserve
your readers appreciation for
alerting them.
Virginia F. Chabot.
AS much as we deplore the
break in constitutional order
in Peru, it was a sad mistake
for the United States Off
cially and publicly to con-
denim the new government
before possessing all the facts
and thoroughly examining
the whole situation.
Judging by the rallying of
all political forces in support
Of the junta, we conclude
that either the United States
was tragically misled by re-
ports on the Peruvian situa-
ton or that the adminiStra-
ton felt compelled to act
hastily under pressure from
its influential but ill-in-
formed Latin American ad-
visers. Furthermore. it is a
we'll known fact that what is
known in this country as the
democratic left of Latin
America had a personal and
theological interest in the
victory of candidate Haya de
la Tore in the recent cleo
lions.
AS an American citizel
born in Peru, I much regret
all this because the punitive
measures are directed against
a friendly anti Communist
government pledged to hold
truly honest elections next
year and set to maintain in
the meantime unrestricted
freedoms and equal rights for
all political parties.
The time is ripe indeed for
United States foreign policy
to make a clear distinction
between international foe and
friend and to act accordingly.
It is my earnest hope that
there will be a reversal Of
the United States position in
Peru. Let it never be for
gotten that Peru has proved
to be the outspoken champion
Of democracy in the hemiS-
phere and the ever-faithful
friend Of the United States.
ROlando r. Ramos
- &%
I wish to make a few COM
ments on your recent edito-
rial on the military junta in
Peru.
This junta had only one
reason for striking against
a democratic government:
The reason was that the can
didate of their choice had
not been elected.
Secondly we do not know
If this junta is anti-Com-
munist. We do know that
the Communists, both among
the university students and
among the workers, are sup
porting it.
In my opinion, II the peo-
pie Of the Latin countries do
not receive support from the
Organization of American
States in their fight for the
preservation Of democratic
governments against the
brutal force Of military die
tatorships, the people will
continue to show apathy and
indifference-a state of mind