ATTEMPT FAILS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 21 February 1939, Page 5

ATTEMPT FAILS

INSURRECTION IN PERU LED BY TRUSTED FRIEND OF DICTATOR. PALACE HELD FOR SIX HOURS. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright LIMA (Peru), February 19. An uprising against the dictatorship of the President Benavides, was crushed after fighting in which a number were killed,. General Benavides’s trusted friend. General Antonio Rodriguez, Minister of Public Safety, with a detachment of the National Police, of which he is the head, stormed the presidential palace, which they held for six hours. Finally they were dislodged by palace guards. General Rodriguez was killed. Oscas Benavides, who' was born in Lima in 1876, first became dictator of Peru in 1914, and after holding power for a year was driven into exile, “leaving a record of violence, brutality and corruption.” He was excluded from any active part in Peruvian affairs for many years, but eventually became head of the army, and, when in 1933, President Cerro was assassinated, Congress chose General Benavides to succeed him, thought the new Constitution of Peru, proclaimed by that very Congress a few days before, on April 9, forbids the election of the head of the army as Chief Executive. Benavides has since maintained himself in office, ruthlessly suppressing opposition and the right of election. In 1936; he *had Congress extend his term for three years, until December, 1939. He then dissolved the Congress and has since ruled by degree.