Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-05-11
BY CASTOR NERvAL.

~ MALL countries always take more
interest in large countries than
the latter do in their smaller
~ neighbors. This Is historical.
and perfectly logical. Besides,
the standards of modern progress come
from the North, and 1t Is not difficult to
see why the South takes more interest
in knowing the North than does the
North in knowing the South. This
might be the explanation OF why there
is now in the Latin American republics
a preponderant desire to know and
understand North American matters
and men, while in this country, in spite
Of the all but heroic efforts OF a few
scholars and idealists, there Is complete
indifference and lack of knowledge re-
garding the nations south of the Rio
Grande. Nevertheless, even II the Latin
American nations may not have
achieved as yet any extraordinary ma
terial development, they have, on the
other hand, much to offer In matters
of culture and intellectual maturity.
Know Life In us.
In the Latin American countries there
is, In general, an adequate conception
of the nature of the great nation OF
the North" as they call the United
States, of its enormous and constantly
increasing importance, and of the role
1t plays in the world. And even OF the
daily life in the United States, Of its
activities day by day, the Latin Ameri-
can has fairly exact knowledge, thanks
to the progress of the radio, the cable.
moving pictures, publicity agencies, and
to his eager liking for the manufactured
products, the sports, the movies" the
automobiles. the dances and the fash.
ions of Uncle Sam. That which Is not
known, because not yet studied, are the
spiritual characteristics Of this country.
But everybody in Latin America, even
If he does not understand all about the
politico-social problems of the United
States, is right up-to-date on what Is
happening every day in this country,
and knows Familiarity the most prom
inent figures of North American lie.
Fondness for American sports has intro
duced not only Saxon customs among
the LatinS, but even words and Wnoie
phrases of English-technical terms
used in sports-have been incorporated
into their native language. The names
Of American manufactured products ana
implements are as current as they are
here. The names Of automobiles maue
in the U. S. A." are heard every gay
from the lips of the Latins. The loois
of the American screen have as many
admirers there as here, to say nothing
of prize-fighters The Latin American
who does not dance the steps originated
in the North may not be classeo as
entirely civilized or in fashion. Ano
now they are dressing In American can
fashion. In truth, they are doing iog S
Of things in American fashion. AZ,
this has its influence. OF course, a t,ua
great influence, in making known tne
United States and the things OF uas
United States to the inhapitans "a
Latin America.
Lack knowledge Of Latin America
On the other hand, how few people
in this country can speak WIN au.nU,
ity, not of the political or lnteiIect1a sa
life of the republics south OF lne EaI
Grande, but even OF just their naaseri a.
condition, their physical resources VI
their standards Of life. .,. ,x,u,,
One of the editors OF W0rios woIs
wrote the other day: AL we A,io y.
about south Americans IS that N mo ST.. Q,
them speak Spanish. that some q t tnem
wear sonibreros, and that az o. tnen
| like hulifights." And he nimsen WA