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Strike by Business as Weapon Against Raise Ordered by Government Effect on political line-ups as Colonel Peron faces fest in presidential election _ A three-day strike of Argentine busi- hessmen against their Goverument now has offered something new in the way of strikes. This was a strike of employers against an order to increase wages, not & strike of workers to force a wage increase. What happened was this: The Argentine Government, dominated by a zroup of Anny colonels Jed by Col. Juan Veron, in December ordered employ- ers to increase wages of all workers and to *pay each worker a December bonus equal to one month's salary. Total increases in pay ranged from 18 to $34 per cent. Protest. Businessmen immediately pro- tested. Some of them complied with the order, but most of them refused on grounds of illegality and inability te pay. Businessmen finally bit upon a three-day shutdown, with employes continuing to re- ceive their regular pay, as a means of showing their disapproval. Most businesses and industries remained closed throughout the three days; principal exceptions were utilities, banks and some smal} shops. Businessmen now have taken the decree into court; they say it is unconstitutional because the Argentine Congress did not approve it. There has been no Congress in their country since 1943. Responsibility for the decree is Jaid at the door of Colonel Peron. Earlier, as Labor Minister, be had backed formation of friendly labor unions and proposed a decree to give workers 25 per cent of their employers’ profits. These actions were gen- erally interpreted as bids for labor backing for his presidential hopes. Col. Peron followed these moves by or- ganizing the Labor Party, which now has nominated him as its presidential candidate. Support of a large share of Argentina’s $,000.000 workers might enable Colonel Peron to wiv the February 24 election without coercion or manipulations. And although he sometimes has used strong methods, he is believed now to desire elec- tion by an overwhelming popular vote. Colonel Peron counts on the support of several elements: The Army, on the whole, can be ex- pected to back him. The colonels’ clique 58 y - PEP T , has imprisoned generals known to have plotted or suspected of plotting against the Government. It has sent others to duty far from Buenos Aires. But Army backing can be deceptive; at times, defection has cropped out in unexpected p! The national police are considered solidly behind Colonel Peron. They, to- - The balance of power between these two alignments appears to lie in the hands of certain elements. Workers in businesses and factories and on ranches, nonmembers of the old unions. are the largest group. It is primarily to them that Colonel Peron has been direct- ing his Jabor overtures. COLONEL PERON CAMPAIGNING «eshis elevation would create some delicate problems gether with the Army, may control the election if the voting appears to be un- favorable. Catholic leaders favor him, and Ar- gentina is overwhelmingly Catholic. Young nationalists, although not nu- merous, are his active supporters. Nazi and Fascist sympathizers are expected to work for bis election. Opposition. Colonel Peron’s opponent, Jose Tamborini, candidate of the Demo- eratic Union, will count on the backing of the parties in the Union—Socialists, Radicals (except a few dissenters), Pro- gressive Democrats and Communists. These range from mildly libera! to strongly leftist. Long-established labor unions, in the main, are believed friendly to Tamborini, but they claim only 500,000 members. Intellectual leaders, students, and busi- pessmen are others upon whom Tamborini ia depending. TET) ys “ghee £44 National Democrats may split their votes. This conservative party's Govers- ment was overthrown by the colonel’s in 1943. Ultraconservative owuers of huge estates will find themselves having to choose be- tween Communist-backed Tamborini and Colonel Peron, who recently promised to - break up a vast ranch holding and turn it over to the workers. Politically apathetic citizens, a final group whose aid Colonel Peron seeks, in many’ eases resented the closing of shops during the business strike. Some of them are expected to support Peron. If Colonel Peron’s popular support proves too weak to assure his choice by free voting, force may swing the clection in his favor. His elevation to the presi- dency would create some delicate prob- lems for the U.S., whose officials have publicly denounced him in the past. THE UNITED STATES NEWS