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8/22/1955 - The “New Era” in Cliza Valley by Charles R. Temple

INSTITUTE OF CUKKENT WOKLD AFFAIKS CRT Hotel Sucre Palace The New Era La Paz Cliza Valley Bolivia August Walter S Rogers Institute Current World Affairs Fifth Avenue New York New York Dar Mr Rogers Bolivia divided between mountains lowlands ratio approximately population three million mountainous areas The highlands three sectiqns Western cordillera Qordillera Oc_ci southward continuation volcanic region which begins north Arequipa Peru Al_tiplano plateau sedimentary deposits containing string intermont basins Eastern cordillera Cordi llera Rea__l northern extension Peruvian ranges changing southern great earth block slight local relief called Pun_a The highlands taken together three parts Bolivia divided The other Aymara given tropical valleys north eastern slopes Eastern cordillera which range height above leVel Oriente tropical lowlands which extend foothills Eastern Cordillera Mat5 Grosso Brazilian frontier plains Gran Chaco south north bounded Abmn Madeira Rivers These tropical regions acCount tenth seven tenths respectively Bolivia total contain little third population Within highland areas thickest clusters people found intermont basins valleys lying lower tudes Eastern cordillera In Puna region valleys supDlied sufficient water irrigation where rainfall those north characteristic farming necessity Of these basins Cochabamba Valley northern centers heavy population concentration within fifteen miles miles The Cliza Valley roughly separated Cechabamba Valley range mountains shares equally peculation density altitude about The linked newly completed paved highway which continues south Santa Cruz Orion thought people living there They usually refer valleys simply Cechabama valley Cliza Valley pleasant climate coldest winter month having average temperature produces variety crops including maize barley alfalfa potatoes fruits vegetables There intensive interbreeding valley between white indian present population almost tirely mestizo A social distinction existed however which Indian apart population This meant there large number rural people native dress sweke Ouechua their language least attractive addition being subsistence farmer occupied lowest status social scale For decades there weakening separateness Indian basis these characteristics alone Indian example spoke Que Their place taken essentially economic teria status buttressed years education This standard continued esino member rural population lowest archy since subsistence farmer earner The revolution citizens equals tinctlen indic continues contempt among those consider themselves status position It winter Cliza Valley The mouotins which enclose great piles softly crumpled brown green velvet rolling other The within valley season still sharp green eucalyptus trees remains Irrigation ditches trench empty water banks along their sides gouged fntas froms water which passed through They miniature Grnd Canyons Little tornadoes occasionally aross Settlements single houses rnchos hamlets towns Punata Tarata Cliza Built adobe bricks plastered color earth The lrgest Valleys Cliza adminis trstive center Cliza Province social center valley CRT which contains vinces Aran Esteban Arze I already described Cliza CT would lively filled comings people campesinos homespun garments suits copied chain store catalogue townspeople suits dresses bought They share paved streets burros sheep cattle chickens trucks automobiles House Type Cliza bicycles Before coming Cliza Valley I informed centers social changes iitiated Bolivia accession power President Paz Estenssoro party imito aci0nalista Rev olucionao NNR Nation alist Revolutionary Movement I toldthat areas which campesino determining course change through demands activities rather being passively manipulated government La Paz Dick Patches newsletters expecially detailed picture contemporary valley When I arrived Cliza month feeling famil iarity vanished In settling trave villages nearby hamlets campesinos townspeople drink maize chi_a foods picantes afternoon night attend parties dances patriotic celebrations I sensation strangeness confusion partly allayed prior paper knowledge In cussing reaction Dick pointed reducing complex changes going valley words paper effect times making Cliza slight variation lived idwestern plains United States An observer tries carried valley establish generalizations which situation another Baffled slipperinesm human activity rapidly changing context sometimes conclude lamely change taking place along oughly predictable lines Nevertheless I think Dick Patch campesinas Aria Rancho Sunday arket Cliza Campesinos Cliza CRT picture campesino calls pieced gether dozens incidents I participated served Cliza Valley place multitude histories foundation audiencia Charcas which inclu modern Bolivia Spaniards sixteenth century another dating eighteenth century United States Constitution another growing nineteenth century Marx Lenin Russian revolution another influenced Fascism practised Hitler Mussolini twentieth century The elements these backgrounds changing situation interact random confusing issues often losing their identity process For example jargon MNR includes phrases capitalistic exploita revolution liberty MNR primarily Communist party social goals conceive democratic although assigns responsibility achievement these state The present MNR party mirrors these histories membership It aptly described having right space between reflecting although individual sympathies center policies sport party drawn ideas extremes The original MNR founded demonstrable affiliatiOnS Nazi Germany under government Gualberto Villaroel basically nationalist orientation The Partido l_zGuiel Rv_ciai0 PIR Party Revolutionary Left founded Jos Arze ascribed Marx nationalist Communism By oarty split factions supporting Arzes point other apDroving Stalin doctrine universal commun allegiance parent party Russia These groups joined third Prt Obrera Revolucionar POR Party Revolutionary Worker organ Ized Juan Lechn among workers later indus trial workers based formation workers syndicates Although Lechn stated party affiliated Trotskyist Fourth International there always doubt exact political convictions particular state device POR apart other parties The revolt April MNR supported POR success induced members PIR party dissolved Arze beause internal squabbles MNR As things stand today faction within MNR dominant specific policies compromise between differing points There basle stability thins collaboration party constituted withstood three years stress strain One party member suggested partly group feels itself strong enough challenge popularity MNR among electorate The factions coalition supporters among people Cliza Valley Various members teaching staff Ucurea kilometers Cliza PIRistas political affections Jos Rojas xecutive Secretary Federation Agricultural Syndicates lives Ucurea these persons He nothing about ousting school despite strong pressure local MNR officials declined public choice between doctrines MHR those PIR Since Juan Lechn identified himself campesino problems large personal following among Most campesinos however official members MNR The campesinos I talked strike political thinkers thought choice party affilia It seemed average campesino allegiauce first given individual promised certain things would personally attractive qualities second group which person represented Juan Lechn worker himself already legend adherents follow reason political program Jos Rajas occupies somewhat position agricultural population Cochabamba Valley A campesino Ucurea effective speaker mainly sponsible organization agricultural syndicates although effectivemess politically declined years still immensely popular campe B I OB The agricultural dicates counterparts Lechn workers syndicates organize large scale largely through efferts Re Spe length Oliza Cochabamba Valleys They filters demands campesino informal rural government standing somewhat outside formal political structure country CRT One small recurrent example campesine party member untiring repetitien listener tireles laber cempae_re Paz Estenssere MNR The cempanion current addrem adepted campesine signify ticipation appreval sympathy revolutien It teken disappearance class distinctiens anyene President addressed It seems better leave untranslated I noted above contemporary haopenings influ enced developments originating colonial period Bolivia history For these Monasterlo Santa Clara established under Francisca Vargas lands goods foundation nunnery monasterio_ either monastery nunnery This Monas terio dominated Cliza Province until fifteen years The lands Monasterio administered cared little about matters stewards mayor domos worked indians olqnos bound strict rules regulating their labor onasterio lands requir certain amoun domestic service houses stewards establishing payment rights usufruct plots assigned their The colono nuclear family these obligations response extended family developed Sons would establish separate residence brought their wives father building family compoundwhen necessary The father however registered colono larger group amount which thefi oroduce remained unchanged The result generation extended family lived narrowing subsistence Today there larger farming population valley commensurate supply This pattern holdings continued until decided their lands Through Of Minister Agriculture Rosales persons permitted special decree ltonsterio lands price ludicrous nothing value their property The ovmers formally altered system tenure remained practice certainly spirit The c_oono_ lands abolished often flooded drive tenants pl0ts staked along edges hacienda lands these campesino pegujalero given rights usufruct The obliged spend cultivating hacienda lands domestic service himself children contin tribute became specified percentage owner property taxes The reform decree signed Augnst confisca these lands reassigned individuals occupying privately property In cases however group farmers maintained vidually would inefficient insisted organizing themselves cooperatives colci which pooled number separate grants The group cultivated pooled yield divided among cooNerative members The government rcourse ognize these cooperatives though agrarian reform state specifically proper should privately owned independently tilled This feudal situation before Cliza Valley somewhat modified independent action campesino ertaken Groups campesinos bought rented lands Monasterio later haciendas their In example campesino syndicate formed Ana Rancho Cliza Valley which rented lands onasterio members financed construction school Ucurea Its leaders sometimes jailed their activities syndicate survived until became Federation Yet superficially scene Madero revolted against Diaz Two MNR officials I expressed surprise campesino jumped vigorously whole heartedly mecha provided ooooo_o_oo_o_q Although revolution ended feudal camoesino usher quickly modern The campesino still lives house foods continues speak Quechua follows traditions closely His stivities however longer circumscribed dictates small ruling group function social economi systems simply virtue being campesino independent citizen fully qualified lobby The people change outward habits having taken items white dress certain speech hbits various kinds festivities They aggressive toward townsman loudest demanding rights Many townspeople Cochabamba years those remain themselves going somewhat befor while adjusting results revolution The campesino feared hated townsman gives public approval changes which taking place In instances wholeheartedly favor assists govern administrative advisory capacity however retire their secret disapproval little possible experiment Saying basing little belief campesino inferior being Celebrations Ucurea August2 commem orate second agrarian reform celebrate Day Indian The festivities organized campesinos I heard there helped clarify impressions Cliza Valley Ucurea Jos Rojas place which agrarian reform decree signed occupies special position valley Her located im9ortant educational units valley called ndcleo nucleus opposed escuea school since teaches conventional subjects sanitation practices agricultural techniques cooking other subjects calcu lated raise campesino standard living Early morning August steady pesinos passed through Cliza their Ucureda hired trucks spirits They cheered children Cliza lined streets watch Few adult townspeople Bolivian their houses tried another One townsman This Lincoln The Indian Indian Why Indian probably before through By contrast August anniversary Bolivia independence Spain townsp oeple actiVe everywhere themselves their children spruced occasion sponsoring parties dances CRT I Ucure5a official pickup truck which bulled through thick crowds campesinos They often waved greetings rewarded being smothered heavy which truck threw The center ceremonies monument cated campesino agrarian reform which stood center troddenfield buildings ncleo It completed before A limestone Indian stood central shaft figure temporary I ultimate design marble bronze would replace funds became available This prevent newspapers publishing picutre projeeted final design referring monument dedicate terday A stone cememt platform surrounded Shaft table draped white cloth celebration Mass which ceremonies Monument Ucureda Pictures Siles Zuazo Villaroel Sucre Bolfvar Paz Estenssoro By official guests rrived about thirty hordes campesinos milling about monument field The papers reported attendance persons thigd figure would closer facets On field tents sheeting poles going house plays products In another section chattering school children white smocks standing impatiently while group after group armed khaki shirts trousers members agricultUral syndicates marched designated areas await their scheduled parade The official luminary among guests Hernu Siles Zuazo Vice President arrived unsmiling remained during ceremonies He others plac_es RT3 Official Guests Ucurea Siles Zuaze center glasses platform monument opened Cliza oarish priest Father ZdIga accompani which alternated between patriotic songs native muSle After Mass parade filed It contained schoolchildren armed syndicates View groups women carrying Parade machetes garrotes Ucurea tractors trucks bearing bulls cattle chickens various pesino soccer basket teams Most marchers V Victory which adopted salute MNR passed reviewing stand The important event giving title documents various persons The campesino until official piece paper verify ownership impatiently waiting Agrarian Judges these prepared The first title given Jos Rojas Silos Zuazo followed similar sentations other campesinos official guests The specta stood quietly title handed burst applause cheers accompanying remarks Official speechs concluded formal activities The speakers stressed three themes value reform continuing CRT3 efforts N NR behalf campesino farmer produce A typical statement We given liberty which 9rotect produce One received speeches Joe4 Rojas whose 9ooularity among campesinos still despite during years personally worked syndicates spending Cochabamba enjoying large subsidy government It inister Campesino Affairs Chvez insis large salaries local leaders Rojas distract their attention constant efforts needed loyalty mpesinos maintain power effectiVeness syndicates After luncheon ncleo I taken exhibitions products They included table displaying grains varieties maize quinoa various regional dishes mostly soups another typical rural black white product artificial insemination which nowned large quantities grade which looking indolently healthy vegetables fruits kinds It Was impressive booth keeDers proud happy their wares Walking through campesinos solemnity official I impressed confidence campesino seemed advertise celebration after mover agrarian reform uniformed armed I thought parade banners Arms Guarantee Agrarian Reform There doubt would continue these defense their rights citizens owners having often during years reform At Agricultural drunk Were being sbued Owner manhandled their wives protested Others ccept begrudged Bo CRT3 their wives which chicha cream A story before campesino director d__rigente syndicates valley towns asked keeper release risoner When asked whose authority replied By The keeper explained insufficient accord government regulatins Which government campesino asked The keepr replied That MNR compaero Paz Estenssoro which campesino angrily The government compaderos Ucurea The jailer release campesino sober point attitude which story implied pertinent Ucurea celebrations The campesinos group government You peoole taken literally although confusing privileges rights actual government franchise The campesino constantly criticized because abuses privileges given He terrorize others settle arguments campesinos under circumstances their fellows He insults townspeople anyone seems resentative order displeases He tekes lands given defends illegal expropriation bullets He commandeers trucks other machines their owners without thought compensation He managed agricultural duction lands Yet these departures virtue alters fundamental changes campesino Seem affect right Such transgressions easily forgotten Ucurea typified instead special events Vice President attended celebrations campesino invitation guest Stone concrete monument Under which people stirred compaeros senses which carries The campesino himself finds certain defects especially basic items budget_ clothing Wheat driven Bolivia persistent infia This often however personal complaint recognized speaker The majority willing accept period hardships exchange rewards being determined citizens promises better standard living health education Without articulating thought formal statement clear campesino considers rights given inalienable maintain given There probably continue political murderm removal someone seems threaten wants block current trends The leaders NR point transient aspect hurried experimmmt determination largely illiterate politically naive people At present stage development campesino bullet stronger ballet Although rationalized contribute uncertainty Cliza Valley gggoooooo_o_o_o On sides there recognition sustained bettered economic situation campesino Bolivia For Cliza Valley means efficient agricultural production resulting surplus Bolivia imprts foodstuffs although agricultural potential country could sufficient The redistribution Cliza Valley first toward these The agrarian reform equally directed however toward improving methods reduction giving campesino private property Production still desired level appear primarily human fault rather basis shortage technical assis tance money which purchase needed machinery Harold Osborne Bol Lan_____d Divide London The Indian farmer Boliviahas neither inclination inducement preducemore enough satisfy minimum needs unless after process civic education distribution lands expected result serious diminution agricultural output This passage written before effects agrarian reform could analyzed theme indifferent Indian still current among Bolivians foreigners alike August Ucurea clear campesinos CRT inclination inducement produce necessary their minimum existence currently advice machines achieve I campesino I should carry thought I Bolivia humbl people beginning willing whatever affects I phrase agrarian reform letter discussing Cliza Valle really changes occurring there In preceding pages I cited instances social changes among campesinos dress habits political determination altered concep their national which I think important aspects Cliza Valley The revolution which taken place first foremost social although grarian 9eform acted vehicle Sincerely Charles R Temple CRT Appendix The following translation important passages printed Spanish version speech delivered Jos Rojas Ucurea August Rojas substance speech Quechua campesinos I rhetorical frills redundancies It seems important three reasons touches practical problems agrarian reform Cliza Valley gives Rojas conception function syndicates agrarian reform national tical shows mixed nature social tical philosophy present government Comaeros THE AGRARIAN REFORM In years watching Agrarian Reform Decree signed execution tarded ought When causes anomaly analyEed there holders convinced their domination ended devise kinds legal tricks delay proceedings expropriation reassignment another delaying factor complacency various government 6fficials perhaps habit themselves instruments theland holders slowing proceedings pretext another In order remedy state affairs necessary syndiclist units given decree wider scope intervention become overseers goads bureaucratic lence partiality Finally factor technical nature shortage topographers government should train means Short Courses members Army Universities specialists surveying carry necessory proper responsibility unlike present situa which citizen obtains permission surveyor which afterwards redone THE SYNDICATE ORGANIZATION In three years which agrarian syndicates functioning fulfilled specific function which committed There exist today sectors Department Cochbamb syndicates members Federation But these units fulfill their roper functions should As partly going directors ignore standard procedures partly CRT serious disci pline individual units accustomed disobey directors appeal directly central units Federation claims purely personal making useless expenditures wasting travel It essential these vicious practices From Federtlen impose discipline units AGICULTURAL PRODUCTION It should realized Agrarian Reform under taken solely those It tended worked because belongs works which means working basis rights ownership This means person doesn cannot lands In order fulfill obligation which Agrarian Reform imposed everyone produce first because second producing benefit NEW OBJECTIVES Press Rad To achieve greatest diffusion revolutionary orientation masses political economic agrarian cultural spheres means publication Qf newspaper radio Directors Schools The Federation coooeration Universities Short Course training directors We Will periodically gather ether groups directors younger compaeros shown aptitude management tasks apprenticeship courses syndicalism ceoperativism political doctrines elements general science Elevation Standard Living The raising standard living campesino logical sequences Agrarian Reform since compaero New Bolivia producer sumer everyone build houses comfortable snitary tions himself children dress better observe practices social pers0nl hygiene Increasing Level Culture New Duties Teachers veryone maximum collaboration diffusion teaching mking sacrifice implant syndicate school without exception school children against children crime which barons committed against denying schooling CRT3 Compaeros rifle shoulder plough LONG LIVE THE AGRARIAN REFORM LONG LIVE THE GOVERNh ENT OF THE NATIONAL REVOLUTION LONG LIVE CO PAi ERO PAZ ESTENSSORO LONG LIVE C HERNN SILES ZUAZO LONG LIVE C JUAN LECHIN LONG LIVE C UFLO CHAVEZ Received Ne York