PERUVIAN POLITICS.

Waikato Times, Volume 114, Issue 19017, 7 August 1933, Page 6

PERUVIAN POLITICS.

The most active political opposition to the Sanchez Cerpo regime in Peru has come from the Aprista Party, whose leader and founder, Haya fie la Torre, was defeated in the last election, comments the Christian Science Monitor on the recent assassination of the Peruvian President. Despite the cautious comments of the press associations, a member of this party appears to be responsible for the assassination of President Duia Sanchez Cerro,

Enlightened or unenlightened governments, whether liberal or conservative,, can hardly be blamed for disliking a party whose very name suggests, if not violent, at best unconstitutional, methods of realising its ideals and programme. The Assopjacion Popular Revolucionaria Americana*—whence the name Apra or A.P.R.A.—though organised for a continental push, was strongest in Peru, where it has become a strong national party.

The election of Sanchez Cerro may not have been faip. The Apra may hftYe llftfi just pause for feeling that it had been defrauded at the polls anfi the President may have been too severe and harsh with its members —many are in prison or exile, others liavp disappeared. But the Apristas did offer great provocation nnfi he did have problems of a magnitude to test the talents of a genius. There rqay be no complete defence of his national and international policies, hut there is none at all for the person or persons responsible for his assassination.

Wjth gratifying promptness the Cabinet of Peru immediately chose Major-General Oscar Benavides Acting President. General Benavides has served in capacity before and is an experienced statesman, diplomat and soldier. Until recently he has been Peruvian Minister in London.

General Benavides is characterised a® being moderate and con* servative. He coines into power in trying times and under unfavourable circumstances. These, however, increase his opportunities and the sympathy of the friends of Peru. An international policy of peace and an internal policy of tolerance should do much to restore stability in a land that has had its full share of trouble since the overthrow of President Leguia, in 1930.