It was under his direction that Uruguay entered upon a remarkable series of experiments in the nationalization of business enterprises.

Further, more or less at the suggestion of Battle, a new constitution was ratified by popular vote in 1917.

It provided for a division of the executive power between the President and a National Council of Administration, forbade the election of administrative and military officials to the Congress, granted to that body a considerable increase of power, and enlarged the facilities for local self-government.

In addition, it established the principle of minority representation and of secrecy of the ballot, permitted the Congress to extend the right of suffrage to women, and dissolved the union between Church and State.

If the terms of the new instrument are faithfully observed, the old struggle between Blancos and Colorados will have been brought definitely to a close.
Paraguay lapsed after 1898 into the earlier sins of Spanish America.
Upon a comparatively placid presidential regime followed a series of barrack uprisings or attacks by Congress on the executive.