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Tools of Power. Perón recently told a friend: "These are my three instruments of power—the C.G.T., the Peronista Party, and the Peronista women's party." The two significant things about this statement: i) Ex-Colonel Perón did not even mention the army, and 2) Evita bosses two of the three key groups.
Already an informal campaign is under way for Evita as Vice President. Last week Hector Campora, president of the Chamber of Deputies, gave the word to Peronista Congressmen to start work for Mr. & Mrs. in '52. The only doubt seems to hinge on whether the idea is too shocking to the Argentine tradition of male superiority. If Eva gets the green light, there may be no limit. She has already risen to greater heights of power than any woman in Latin American history.
Barring a major economic crackup, the Peróns are probably going to be around for some time. What can the U.S. do about it? In the past the U.S. has tried pressuring them and it has tried gentling them. Neither course stopped the Peróns from building up their Fascist-model state. Now, when the great North American republic has its hands full all over the world, it can do little more about the problem of the Peróns than: 11) maintain correct surface relations with them; 2) ask them for nothing; 3) give them nothing. Meanwhile, the dictatorial partners of the pampas can go on working out their unique formula, based on the power of love plus the love of power.
*The Argentine President's official salary: 8,000 pesos ($576) a month.