On the balcony of Buenos Aires' Government House, in view of 100,000 Argentines packed in the Plaza de Mayo, President Juan Perón brushed away a tear with the back of his hand and nervously lit a cigarette.
Theoretically, the nation was waiting in suspense for his resignation to "guarantee peace"an offer announced that morning by the General Confederation of Labor and the Peronista Party. But all except the most simple-minded Argentine knew that this was only a maneuver. So it was no surprise when Perón said, "I have decided to withdraw my resignation." What was surprising was the ferocity of...