The Washington times., 1928-12-13
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~ LAWRENCE SULLIVAN

By LAWRENCE SULLIVAN
ABOARD HOOVER sPE-
CIAL TRAIN, VILLA MER-
CEDEs. ARGENTINA, Dec.
Is (I.N.S. While President
elect, Herbert Hoover, on has
goodwill tour Of South
America, has remained strictly
silent on the territorial quarrel
between Bolivia and Paraguay,
circumstances may result ~
Hoover becoming a peaceful
mediator in event the United
States Government decides to
offer its good offices.
Position Strategic
Al Hoover Is making his visit
as private citizen, this would en-
able him to act without directly IN
vdlvfIig the high office to which ne
has been elected. So far, since the
cessation of diplomatic relations
between Bolivia and Paraguay, ne
has filled the role of silent specta-
tor.
The fact that the League of Ma.
tions, acting upon representatio
from Paraguay, has to some ex-
tent interviewed, brings about a
situation in the Americas which
may induce Washington to take
drect action.
Not since the outbreak Of the
world war have the South Z
can diplomats been called upon to
wrestIe with such dangerous prob
lens as those involved in the dis
pl1te between Bolivia and Paraguay
over the future nationality of the
Grand Chaco district lying between
the two republics.
Openly and officially, South
American nations are interested
only in the preservation Of peace.
But the issue Is daily dragging up
old sores that have lain dormant.
for years.
The possibility that Hoover may
be called upon by President Cool
idge and Secretary of State Kellogg
is being discussed In Argentina.
Americans in Oil War
The recent visit Of Bolivian off
cials to Hoover on the Maryland off
Antofagasta and Hoover's personal
trips into Ecuador, Peru, Chile and
Argentina have given him direct
contact with a whole range of South
American problems of which the
Boiivian-Paraguayan quarrel is an
outstanding element. He thus ac-
quired by personal contact informa-
ton he could not have gained
otherwise.
ParagtIay's interests are close to
those Of Argentina, the latter re-
public not being represented at
Washington.
Oil-that magic word which
caused so many international rival.
ries-has entered the problem.
There has been considerable petro.
leum exploration work recently in
the Grand Chaco zone. where. oh.
viousIy, there is keen competition
between American and European
operating concerns.
BUENOS AYRES, Dec. 13 n.N.Sl
AS the hour approached for the
arrival here Of President-elect Her.
bert Hoover this afternoon the Ar.
gentine government and the police
completed their precautionary meas.
ures TO assure the safety of the
famous visitor in this city.
Following the discovery of an
archist cache of bombs, explosives
and firearms, police and secret
service agents rounded up and ar.
rested scores of suspicious char.
acters. Known anarchist and Com.
munist leaders not arrested will be
kept under constant surveillance.
Troops will line the streets when
Hoover Is driven to the United
States embassy after his arrival al
4 p. M, Eastern Standard Time
The fact that South American agi
tators have for some time made
Buenos Ayres meeting place in
tensified the police precautions.
However. the government is now
confident the drastic measures al
ready taken will prevent any un
toward incident.
According to the official program
President Irigoyen. after greeting
Hoover at the railway station. will
accompany him to the American
embassy where he will live during
his two-day stay here.
On Friday Hoover will inspect
the port. In the evening he will
attend a dinner at the presidential
palace where he will make another
goodwill address.
On Saturday night Hoover will he
the guest of President Irigoyen al
a gala performance at the opera.
Dispatches from way stations
said that Hoover is greatly enjoy
ing his 650-n1ile trip across th'
pampas from Mendoza. His specia
train rivals anything in the United
states for comfort and luxury. Th'
locomotive and cars are gail,
decked with flowers and flags,