Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-12-26
BY JUNIUS B. WOOD.
Correspondence of The Star.

correspondence OF Inc Star.
Advertising campaigns in Buenos
Aires this Summer clearly showed the
difference between British and Amer
lean methods of craftsmanship. Brit
iSh interests raised a fund of several
thousands to advertise that English
made goods were superior to any 9TH
ers, all embracing without specifying
particular articles. The American
method was individualistic. telling
why a particular article should be
used. from a stick Of chewing gum or
tube of tooth paste to locomotive
or a steel skyscraper. Which Is the
better method is for the experts to
decide.
The situation is not entirely the
same, for between $4,000 and 5000
English, or of English descent, COM
pared to between 1000 and 5000 with
similar ties with the United States,
are in Argentina. In the gratifying
assurance that everything from the
homeland Is the best, prices are ig-
nored. Figures for the previous year,
however, showed that Argentina'S i'm
ports from England, while below those
from the United States, made a Is
per cent increase compared to a 10
per cent increase In purchases from
this country.
Good will is a factor in business
which has not been of much help to
the commerce Of the United States
in Latin America. 1t is pronounced
in some countries, but in most of
those of South America it is either
lukewarm or distinctively unfriendly.
European nations, chiefly England,
France and Spain. either as bust
ness proposition or from national an
tipathy to the United States, have en-
couraged this.
British bombing Of Arab villages
does not affect the quality of Man.
chester cotton goods, but United
States Marines in Nicaragua are fig
ured In the conclusive test of Amer
lean gasoline. The relations of the
United States and Cuba or Haiti
cause more gloom in several countries
of South America than they do on
the islands themselves. The reputa-
ton OF Paris as center Of culture
sells sleaZy silk print dresses from
France in the lonesome stores of the
pampaS, while the music, literature and
art from the United States, which is so
conspicuous in every country OF Latin
America, is accepted without thought
aS to its source.
Looking at the picture from q disin-
tereSted viewpoint 1t Is as might be eX-
pected If not as it should be. the United
States, being a part of America, is
closer to the countries of Latin Amer
lea than Europe Is, and is looked upon
by them as one Of the family, though
frequently a domineering and too pros
porous brother. The armed interven-
ton of the United States In smaller
republics has panied many persons in
the United States, and 1t is not Surpris-
ing that citizens Of republics, away
from the vague assurance of a state de-
partment that is all for the best, have
similar opinions.
The United States sends high-pres-
sure statesmen or engineers to carry out
particular projects, all high-class men,
but European countries also send states
men, men of letters, philosophers and
scientists. who meet them on a cultural
plane where commerce is not involved
The good of the hurried Hoover trip
was incalculable. A friendly gesture
goes far in creating good will, especially
in countries where most of the citizens
envision the United States as a land
with frenzied men and women tending
machines which never stop, day Oh
night; millionaires daShing in high
powered cars from stock tickerS to d.
| rectors' meetings and gunner and pro-
hibition officers shooting up the street
corners In every city.
Exports from the United States
greater than from any other three
countries combined, according to our
Department of Commerce, are not sold
In Latin America on sentiment, but for
certain very proSaic reasons. Months
OF observation In those countries would
summarize them as follows:
First, quality and price, two factors