Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-04-20
III. s. IMPERIALISM BOCEY
DISPELLED BY HERRERA
Newly Elected President of Colombia
Defends COLOSSUS of North as
Friend of Latin America.

August T. A larger part of his time,
ences with American business men and
bankers in accordance with his plan
of inviting close American participa-
ton in the future development OF Co
lombia The Importance of smooth
commercial relations is indicated by
the size of the present American stake
in Colombia. American investors hold
about $3.50, 900 900 in Colombian gov
eminent, State and bank securities
alone.
Has Had Colorful Career.
DR.. Olaya Herrera has had colorful
life. He is member OF distinguished
family, descended from the outstand-
ing Colombian national hero. While
still a youth, however ne ran afoul Of
the government of that time because
of his fiery attack on what he con-
sidered its tyranny. His speeches and
writings finally landed him In a dun
geon in old Cartagena, the city hnKeo
Inevitably with tales of pirates. GAL
Icons and gold doubloons OF the Span
ish Main.
His stay in that glamorous, but high
" uncomfortable, Jail of the tropic low
lands failed to change his convictions.
And after his release he continued 70
hold principles for which he hao sur
fered. Moreover, MS opinions even
tually triumphed and triumphed peace.
fully. For, incidentally, Colombia olo
not 20 in for revolutions. 1t
DR.. Olaya Herrera has served WILL
distinction in the Colombian Congress
and in the diplomatic service IN
Argentina and Chile, as well as in the
United States. Before his appointment
| to washington he led the bitter ngnt
| in Congress which resulted in the raul
fication of the treaty with the united
States in 1921 which settled the Pan.
anna Canal incident and which nao
been a source of contention ana III
| feeling between the United States ana
| Colombia.
Although allied with the Liberal
party during virtually all OF his public
career. DIR. Olaya Herrera's prestige
gained for him the most important
| diplomatic post in the service, ana ne
has represented three successive Con-
servative administrations here.
The newly elected President is man
of fine physique and distinguished ap-
pearance. While his features are Typ
| ical of Latin aristocracy, his hair Is un-
usually light and his eyes are blue.
Educated in the National University at
Bogota and in Belgium and France, ne
| is known as one of the leading orators
and thinkers in Latin America.
/ A reception committee consisting OF
more than 100 prominent bankers, busi-
ness executives and scholars has ar
ranged a crowded program for nus nrst
week in New York. Tomorrow night ne
will be the guest of Carl Bickel, head
of the United Press at a dinner given
In connection with the annual conven-
ton of the American Newspaper Pub
fishers Association.
On Thursday night he will speak over
station WIZ on the occasion OF din
ner in his honor to be given by the
Pan-American Society at the Hotel
Plaza. Among other functions to which
he has accepted invitations during the
| last few weeks, during which he has
been the guest of the governments OF
Panama and Cuba while en- route TO
| the United States, is a luncheon given
by the Colombian American Chamber
of Commerce.
Country Rich in Gems.
! The country whose destiny DR.. Olaya
Herrera will shape during the next four
years has been called the land OF plat
| mum and emeralds," for the excellent
of these precious commodities In the
world.
| It's most valuable product and CHIEF
export, however, is coffee OF the IN
creasingly popular mild variety. In oil
resources it is one of the richest coun-
tries in the world, according to oil men
here. Much of the gold found by the
| Spaniards in South America came from
Colombian mines, which are still pro-
ducing abundantly.
Because of the mountainous character
of the country-it is divided by three
towering ranges of the Andes-aviation
has been developed to high degree.
| The development of Colonlbia's nat
ural wealth is expected by American
business men to proceed rapidly under
the administration Of its cosmopolitan
and ultra modern President.