In Chile

A detachment of young Army officers appeared suddenly on the steps of the Moneda Palace, headquarters of the Junto* Government which seized power last September and drove President Alessandri from the country TIME, Sept. 22), entered unhidden. Shortly afterward the Junto of elderly .military men resigned. A Junto of young military men was formed. There was no noise, no ungentlemanly scuffles.

The new Junto took prompt steps to recall President Alessandri from his travels in Italy. It announced a policy of "neutrality in politics," accused the old Junto of having "betrayed our confidence and maliciously deviated from our program."

Identifying itself with the former military coup, the new Junta proceeded : ". . . . we are again at the initial point of our movement. We shall call upon the free majority of the country to reorganize Chile under the direction of the constitutional President, guarded by our swords. When Senor Alessandri resumes his post. . . he will convoke the constituent Assembly to carry into effect our program as soon as the new powers of the State are constituted."

When President Alessandri heard the news he enthused not. Replied he, with due and necessary caution:

1. Will you form immediately a Civil Government ?

2. Will you permit me to use my full constitutional powers?

3. Will you convoke at once the Constituent Assembly?

Unless these things immediately were done President Alessandri said he would not return.

*Junto is an incorrect form of Junta, which means properly a legislative assembly or council. Here junto connotes a military clique exercising the functions of government. This difference in meaning is usually implied by the respective uses of the two words.