Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-10-05
In LATIN AMERICA
By CASTON NERVAL.

/ to cooperate with the governments of
American countries.
The most interesting feature of this
new institution is its unofficial charac-
ter. Commenting upon the opening Of
the Sacramento conference, said some
weeks ago that this was to be but
friendly meeting of producers, fruit
growers, representatives of trade bodies
and commercial associations and all
others interested in the development
of markets for the products of the
American countries, with no official
| character whatsoever. This Is a gath
| ering Of business men," said, who are
not interested in finding out who started
the INSTRUMENTATION War, who sent
the Marines to Nicaragua or who sug-
gested the policy Of the big stick in
the Caribbean zone" And this Is why
a great deal of good could be expected
from this businesslike conference whose
slogan was Come, let us reason to-
| gether."
In announcing the establishment of
the institute, the directors of the Sac
ramento conference stress the fact that
| 1t Is bound to fill the long-felt need for
an unofficial clearing house for purely
Pan-American problems, which shall
be free from all red tape and political
influence and be based upon good WILL"
cooperation and reciprocity between
/ I1lC dIlQ
merchants Of the hemisphere"
1t is this unofficial status that makes
! the new body the more important and
that has caused the Latin American
countries to rejoice at the news of its
| creation. First, because it will allow
business men of both sides of the Rio
Grande to speak in business way of
their mutual and better trade relations,
without the limitations proper to official
4 Akz.s-s d. - f. -
| organized by the Pan-American Union,
too closely connected with the politics of
the governments concerned. And Sec
ondly, because the Latins believe that
this independent institute for the pro-
motion Of inter American trade will be
determining factor In suppressing, or
at least diminishing, tariff barriers, the
greatest hindrance to continental COM
merce. One Of the resolutions approved
by the Sacramento conference provides
! that the Pan-American Institute of
Reciprocal Trade take the necessary
steps to bring before the United States
Tariff Commission the inequalities that
exist with respect to Pan-American
products in order that the flexible tariff
clause may be applied for the purpose
reciprocity"
Although it is difficult to see how far
1t will succeed in solving the tariff prob
lem, the Pan-American Reciprocal
Trade Institute could accomplish much,
both by seeking markets for the sur
pluses in products Of the various coun-
tries involved, discovering new uses for
old products, popularizing new ones, and
by finding ways in which red tape can
| De cut, unnecessary and irritating re-
strictions removed and laws codif1ed to
a reasonable degree of uniformity.
| The Sacramento conference has made
a good start in analyzing some of the
reasons why trade between the Amer
icas is not easier and in pointing out
remedies to make it easier through CO.
operative action. But a permanent
body continually seeking means to avoid
these difficulties will be able to effect
constant improvement.
FOR SAKE OF DEMOCRACY.
have spoken here on several occa-
SionS Of the entirely new and unique
characteristics of the present political
restlessnesS In some of the Latin-Ameri-
can republics, where complete change
OF the political mind, full of interest
ing aspects, Is taking place.
have repeatedly pointed out that
this is not just another series of selfish
and ambitious coupe d'etat" in the
turbulent history of Latin American
politics. The latest movements in Bo-
livia, Peru and Argentina, have al
ways believed, are the expression of a
general and psychological reaction
against dictatorial forms Of government,
stressed by economic complications,
which Is seeking, not only the substitu-
ton Of certain men in power, but the
adoption of political ideas and stand
ards essentially new.
Two instances which read Of in the
HAlf -
lief. One of them refers to a recent
decree issued by the provisional govern
ment Of that country prohibiting abso-
lutely the flattering Of living political
chieftains or leaders by the naming of
streets, public buildings or geographical
divisions for them, no matter how emf
nent their services to the country or
to any special locality may be. The
same decree prohibits government en-
public manifestations In honor of their
superiors or Of high oficials of the
| administration. The printing of postage
stamps with the portraits of living per-
sonages is also prohibited.
It Is unnecessary to recall the fact
that all these practices which the new
| governments decree forbids were until
now traditional in Bolivian political
| life, as well as in that of other Latin
American countries.
It was considered but natural hereto
fore that political adherents should pro-
pose the naming of streets, avenues or
plazas for the chief executive or for the
ministers of state, and that the citi-
zens thus honored should take advan-
| tage of such interested flattering to
boast of their popularity. Former Pres
ident Leguia Of Peru held a record in
this respect, for there were not only
Leguia streets and Leguia avenues In
Lima and al ever Peru, but theaters,
parks, public Buildings, sehoolA sport