Deal for the Presidency

When it became clear last week that Guatemala's hard-fought presidential election had failed to give any candidate a clear majority, front-running General Miguel Ydigoras Fuentes, 62. knew" just what to do. With the skill he had shown at winning votes from illiterate Indians, the old right-wing campaigner worked out a deal that seemed certain to bring him the presidency through the aid of his principal opponent. Colonel Jose Luis Cruz Salazar of the moderate Nationalist Democratic Movement (M.D.N.).

As political heir of the assassinated Carlos Castillo Armas, Cruz Salazar controlled Congress, which has the legal power to break an election stalemate by choosing between the two front runners. Unofficial election totals put Ydigoras well ahead with 41% of the vote, left Cruz Salazar and Mario Mendez Montenegro of the liberal Revolutionary Party in a tight race for second place.

General Ydigoras went to work on the M.D.N. with threats and blandishments. He sent out a radio call for his followers all over the country to march on the capital, threatened to investigate graft by M.D.N. leaders and "jail them as thieves." But behind the scenes he talked smoothly with Cruz Salazar about the need for "national unity" against Communism. Bowing to the best hope for peace. Cruz Salazar accepted the offer of M.D.N. participation in the Cabinet, an ambassadorial post for himself. Some militant M.D.N. Congressmen cried sellout, but enough will probably go along to give Ydigoras his majority. With the confidence of a winner, the general began expertly easing off on campaign slogans against foreign influence in Guatemala. He talked earnestly of the great need for foreign capital, praised the U.S. for "generous help." He promised political freedom, ''security for capitalism." help for the poor, and a continuing fight against any Communist comeback.

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