ARGENTINA'S NEW PRESIDENT

Sworn in last week as Argentina's new President, replacing deposed Strongman Juan Peron: Major General Eduardo Lonardi. 59, a career officer whose name was unknown to most of his countrymen one week earlier Origins. Born Sept. 17, 1896. in Buenos Aires, son of a music teacher of Italian descent. Family name was originally Leonardi Military Career. Graduated from the national military academy as artillery lieutenant. Taught tactics at Superior War College in 1930s. Appointed Argentine military attache in Santiago, Chile in 1943, where he succeeded Colonel Juan Peron who had been suspected of espionage by Chilean government. Served as Argentina's representative on Inter-American Defense Board in Washington in 1947-48. Retired as two-star general in 1951 after dismissal from command of Frist Army (HQ Rosario) for allegedly plotting against Peron Underground Career. As a leader of an ineffectual anti-Peron plot in 1952, he was jailed for eight months. Suspected of participating in another plot the next year, he successfully defied police by demanding that a general of equal rank be sent to arrest him. Later, kept under surveillance until Peron in a moment of clouded foresight, decided he was harmless.

Private Life. After retirement, lived modestly in a Buenos Aires suburb swung an occasional business deal to supplement his pension. Father of three sons (one a U.S.-trained engineer), two daughters. With slightly stooped shoulders and horn-rimmed reading glasses, looks more like a professor than a general when in mufti.

Political Outlook. Reportedly a middle-road conservative without party affiliation. Nationalistic, in the Argentine army tradition, but not rabidly so Prospects. Clearing away the rubble of the shattered Peron regime is only the beginning. Problems are mainly political; economic ailments nagged the country under Peron. but Argentina is a basically rich country with wonderfully fertile soil probably needs little economic doctoring beyond a healthy dose of freedom. Toughest task is likely to be dealing with the sullen labor-confederation members who won substantial gains under Peron and hated to see him go.

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