Headache in Honduras
The enquiry by Sir Reginald Sharpe Q.C. into the connec- tion between the crypto-Communist Government of Guatemala and the People's United Party (PUP) in British Honduras has now produced the expected result. In spite of the fact that one or two charges were not considered to be proved, there is no longer any doubt that the PUP is financed and directed from Guatemala, largely throiigh the agency of the Guatemalan consul in Belize (the capital of British Honduras). What iS not so clear is what happens now. Presumably the elections under the new constitution (which were due to take place ?Ifs811°111Y) will be postponed. When Mr. George Price, secretary activities had been taking place, he was cheered by a large the PUP, left the Belize court-room where the enquiry into crowd and carried shoulder-high round Battlefield Square while a band played appropriate music. There is, therefore, 8°1ne reason to suppose that the voters of British Honduras will be uninfluenced by Sir Reginald's disclosures and will return the PUP to power if they get a chance. However rickety the present Guatemalan regime may be, its nuisance value should not be underrated, particularly in view of Latin `''erlean sensitivity about European colonies on the American nntinent. As usual in backward countries the local Com- munist Party has got away to a flying start; the only remedies en the long-term ones of economic development and the reouragement of other political attitudes, though whether these remedies can or will be applied in this case is doubtful.
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