Jacobo & the Reds

Communist Deputies to Congress led the May Day parade in Guatemala City, carrying a billowing blue-and-white Guatemalan flag. A few paces behind them, bearers flaunted a big portrait of Ho Chi Minh. One of the 45 floats that followed showed a villainous Uncle Sam with blood dripping from one clawlike hand.

After three hours of marching, the 15,-ooo paraders massed in front of the National Palace. On the balcony, flanking President Jacobo Arbenz, were the warm-up speakers, Labor Chieftain Victor Manuel Gutierrez and Peasant Boss Leonardo Castillo Flores. both Reds. They plugged solidarity with Viet Minh and similar causes. Arbenz took over from there: P:On the H-bomb: all the tests must be halted, atomic weapons must be banned. P:On the recent U.S. note asking a $15 million indemnity to the U.S.-owned United Fruit Co. for 233,973 acres of expropriated banana lands: "Blackmail." P: On his political opposition:"They work like criminals at night painting numbers on walls. Under the innocent number 32, they hide their true aim, which is to destroy our constitutional liberties."

The figure 32, which stung President Arbenz, is currently marked on pavements, tires, lunch pails and even the presidential residence in Guatemala City. As every Guatemalan knows, it is the number of the article of the country's constitution that bans "political parties of an international or foreign character." If Arbenz conscientiously enforced Article 32, life would be harder for Guatemala's Communists. There is no sign that he intends to do anything of the sort.

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