Spiritual Chief

The scramble to pay the most eloquent tribute to ailing Evita Peron became a feverish rush last week. The Peronista majority in Congress voted to build a monument to her. The governor of Buenos Aires Province ordered her autobiography, The Reason for My Life, used as a textbook in all the province's public schools. Health Minister Ramon Carillo directed that in 508 hospitals and clinics under his department Masses be said for her "quick and complete recovery."

In Congress, after delivering an impassioned speech in praise of Evita, Peronista Deputy Mafalda Piovano dropped on her knees in the aisle and prayed: "Oh God, we beseech You to return to Eva Peron the health she has sacrificed to save us." Fellow members raised their bowed heads just in time to see the Congresswoman rise shakily to her feet, then faint dead away. In the solemnity of the hour, President of the Chamber Hector J. Campora led the 124 Peronista deputies in swearing loyalty to Peron as President and to Evita as "Spiritual Chief of the Nation," the title by which she has been formally listed in Argentina's Congressional Record since her last public appearance--at her husband's inaugural three weeks ago.

Evita appeared to have reached a crisis in her long illness. Early last week word leaked out of the presidential residence in Olivos that she was being fed intravenously. Toward week's end she was reported slightly improved. But at the Avenida de Mayo headquarters of the sub-Secretary of Information, lights burned all night. Inside, a special watch of five reporters anxiously awaited news of any change in the First Lady's health.

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