Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-10-28
PERU
! BeIounde Is Popular
But Doubts Persist

They came in trucks during
the evening rush hour. Horns
bleated in unison. They came
on foot, in tattered shoes and
heavy Indian dress.
MakeShift groups paraded
their picks and shoVels aloft
with ehalked slogans - Arms
against Misery" and I'VE
Stand with Agrarian Reform. "
The thousands Of weaving
Shovels. wrapped in patriotic
red-and-white bunting, cast
wierd shadows in the lighted
statuesque fountain. Inside the
palace courtyard picks and
Shoyels were laid in ritualistic
piles for transport to the
interior.
When the grey-haired presi-
dent finally stepped out on the
balcony two hours later, he did
not say much. He did not have
to. The object Of the exercise
was the dramatic demonstra-
ton Of his popular following.
To repeated cheers, he told
the crowd that Peru is not a
country in turmoil but a coun-
try of pacific renovation"
Theme Of Interview
Several days later Mr.. Bel
aunde returned to this same
theme during interview in his
presidential study, not many
rooms away from that same
balcony.
I'VE are making our revolu-
ton like a good surgeon per-
forms an operation. with an
esthetics," he said.
I'VE are doing our best to
break the pain. We are not
acting arbitrarily. We are not
using force. We are using good
will, persuasion and patience.
We are listening to our critics,
and we are also talking to
them"
Why had he refused to use
his police force against the IL
legal Indian invasions Of pri-
vate haciendas?
I'VE are using persuasion, )"
he repeated. I'VE are explain
ing to their leaders that they
must wait until the land re-
form is passed. Congress is de-
batting it, and I am hopeful
that is will be approved soon"
He went on to attack a small
group of people" in Peru who
have lost power. but who still
think they can stop the march
of history with their hands.
These people want to trap
us at an impossible crossroads.
If we use the police as they
urge, we will lose the popular
support we need. If we do not
use the police, then they claim
we are weak, indecisive. and
have lost authority to govern.
But we have a third way
to push ahead with plans for
reform against all opposition
with all our power. The police
will use force only when we see
violence coming"
Military Strength
He also touched upon what
most observers here feel is his
greatest source of strength
his military establishment.
1.-THE Peruvian armed forces
are greatly misunderstood
abroad" he said. They are alb
solutely loyal to the constitu-
tional government. They want
reforms as much as I do"
He dragged down one Of the
many charts piled high on a
heavy carved cabinet. 1t was
the civic action" plan Of the
navy which began August Z.
The whole Peruvian river fleet
has been modified to visit the |
interior with civilian and mill
tary doctors and nurses.
This military support is un-
doubtedly vital asset for the
Belaunde government. But that
government is still only months
old. The basic question still
to be answered is where will
that military establishment
and the President himself
stand once the battle lines over
tough reform are more clearly
drawn in the months and
years ahead.
TOMORROW: Indian ''inva-
siOns."