Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-02-14
BY REX COLLIER,

BY REX COLLIER.
Fate chose a most opportune time for
the meeting between Americas I'M
Official ambassador of good will and rep
resentatiVeS of land-locked Bolivia.
The spirit Of peace and good will in
Bolivia was on the verge of collapse
when the u. S. S. Maryland came to
anchor. December 8, off the Chilean
port, Antofagasta, to receive delega-
ton of officials from La PaZ.
Only the day before the ships arrival
Bolivian and Paraguayan troops had
clashed at Fort Vanguardia in bound
airy conflict, and as result, the whole
structure of American fellowship
that Hoover had been building up seemed
threatened with disaster.
Indeed, as the Maryland was drop
ping her hooks in the open roadstead
off the worlds greatest nitrate port,
the Paraguayan charge d'affaires was
being handed his passports by the Bo-
hvian government.
IT was an embarrassing situation that
confronted the President-elect, in some
RESPECTS. but one that he faced boldly
and met automatically. Manifestly, he
could not allow himself to be brought
into a discussion of the Fort Vanguard
ia incident, but certainly he could
preach the doctrine Of good Willard
he did so by precept and example.
ENJOYS Determined to Cooperate,
He preached it to the Bolivian minis
ter of foreign affairs, DR.. Alberto Pa
.lacios. and he preached it to members
of the House of Deputies. They de-
parted from the ship that afternoon
ieeply impressed by Uncle Sans friend
w interest in the affairs OF Latin Amer
ica, thoroughly convinced OF his SIN
cerity in seeking to amalgamate the
American republics into closer frater-
nal union, and determined TO coop
crate to the limit Of their official pow
ers in strengthening this fraternity.
Who can say that the presence IN
Latin American waters of the American
shin of friendship and the Salutary
effect of the elaborate goodwill lunch
ean held aboard it at Antofagasta old
not play some part-perhaps an impor-
tant port-in the decision to submit the
Fort Vanguardia controversy to arbitra-
ton? .n
The Maryland was accompanied to
Antofagosta by the Chilean cruiser
Chacabuco, which had met the Mary
Iend as she entered Chilean waters
the day before. AS the Chilean ship
approached, a Peruvian cruiser, the
6ronel Bolognese, which had been the
Eattleship's escort out Of Gallo, had
fred farewell salute and returned
to her port.
Hoover Unable to Go Ashore.
mr.. Hoover did not go ashore at the
tariving nitrate port as diplomatic Gus
tom required that he first touch Chilean
soil N connection with his official can
on the chief executive of that nation.
From the rail of the ship, he inspected
WI interest the general appearance OF
the city as it lay there in holiday Seren-
ity at the base Of towering chalk-tike
cliffs. He smiled at the business-get-
ting methods employed by some OF
Antofa easta'S merchants, who had adj
yersiSed their goods with gigantic signs
painted upon the bluffs above the city.
One Of the larger signs called atten-
zion to the rare qualities OF vino
Casa Rlanco," or, in plain Engilsn,
White House wine.
The Maryland had put on full dress
Ger the days festivities, and all her
sailors manned the rail- as the visitors
came aboard A broad expanse Of white
duck awning had been stretched over
the quarterback, where long tables had
been arranged In readiness for the lunch
con. Covers had been laid for nearly
O hundred guests, who were to include.
"a addition to the Boliyians, officials Of
the city of Antofagasta and members
AZ the American colony there.
Women Have Talkfest.
First to board the battleship was the
skipper of the Chilean escort cruiser,
Capt Julio Merino, an officer OF splen-
did military bearing. The American
citizens from the port came alongside
next in several launches and were re-
ceived joyfully by Mr.. and Mrs. Hoover
and Ambassador Fletcher. Mrs. Hoover
was delighted to be among so many
Americans of her own sex and the
women gravitated into corner and
had a nice chat all by themselves.
The Antofagasta officials, municipal
and provincial, were welcomed a few
moments later, with full honors. The
Chileans included Julio Novarette, in
tendente of the province of Antofagasta;
Roberto Garay, naval governor; Col
Augustin Benedicto, military COM
mander, and Maximiliano Poblete,
mayor of the port
Finally che Bolivians came aboard.
AS Foreign Minister Palacios stepped on
deck the six sideboys at the gangway
came to salute and a company Of
marines was brought to attention by a
flourish of trumpetS. The ships band
played 1.-THE Star Spangled Banner" and
the Bolivian "Himno Nacional"
Mr.. Hoover shook hands cordially
with the large delegation, whose mem
bers included military offlcers impress
sively hedecked with medals and gold
braid, legislators in top hats and morn
ing outfits and other sartorially re-
Splendent dignitaries.
Lunch Near Once Disputed Territory.
The luncheon had a special touch OF
diplomatic interest, In that it brought
together on amicable terms officials OF
countries which once had waged q bit
ter war over territory in plain sight OF
all on the ship. The rich province OF
Antofagasta once had been part oil
Bolivia and was her outlet to the sea
but in the war OF the Pacific, she hae
lost it to Chile and now had no outlet
Cor her valuable products save by rail
The Maryland'S band played through.
out the luncheon. The ships famou.
silver service again was brought out fol
the occasion and the table was loaded
down with flowers and greenery, brought
from Peru. The rail of the ship wal
festooned with remnants and the flag
of Bolivia and the United States.
Foreign Minister PalacioS, in his for
NAL address of welcome, paid high trib
ute to the United States for its demon
strated efforts TO preserve world peace
mentioning in. this connection tn,
washington Arms Conference and tn
Kellogg anti-war pact.
Bolivia, too, has altruistic aspirations
he declared
David Kaufman Praised.
MY country" DR.. Palacios said
"aGp;res only to the opportunity tina
cther countries enjoy, and with it tn
consequent right of life and improve
.7lent. We do not seek this to the detri