Rouge et Noir

           IthasbeenindicatedthatdisaffectionfollowedtheelevationofLosadatothepresidency.Thisfeelingcontinuedtogrow.Throughouttheentirerepublicthereseemedtobeaspiritofsilent,sullendiscontent.EventheoldLiberalpartytowhichGoodwin,Zavallaandotherpatriotshadlenttheiraidwasdisappointed.Losadahadfailedtobecomeapopularidol.Freshtaxes,freshimportdutiesand,morethanall,histoleranceoftheoutrageousoppressionofcitizensbythemilitaryhadrenderedhimthemostobnoxiouspresidentsincethedespicableAlforan.Themajorityofhisowncabinetwereoutofsympathywithhim.Thearmy,whichhehadcourtedbygivingitlicensetotyrannize,hadbeenhismain,andthusfaradequatesupport.

           Butthemostimpoliticoftheadministration’smoveshadbeenwhenitantagonizedtheVesuviusFruitCompany,anorganizationplyingtwelvesteamersandwithacashcapitalsomewhatlargerthanAnchuria’ssurplusanddebtcombined.

           ReasonablyanestablishedconcernliketheVesuviuswouldbecomeirritatedathavingasmall,retailrepublicwithnoratingatallattempttosqueezeit.Sowhenthegovernmentproxiesappliedforasubsidytheyencounteredapoliterefusal.Thepresidentatonceretaliatedbyclappinganexportdutyofonerealperbunchonbananas—athingunprecedentedinfruit-growingcountries.