Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-03-15
in LATIN AMERICA
By CASTOR NERVAL.

titude of the United States toward her
southern neighborS and the announce
ment of the withdrawal of the marines
from Nicaragua, both tending to gain
the good win of the Latin Americans
and facilitate a better inter-American
understanding.
Not long ago I had occasion to COM
ment upon the value of this political
understanding in promoting greater
economic relations and upon the bene-
fits which will be derived in this con-
nection from the two latest moves of
the State Department.
In the way of practical measures two
other instances stand out as showing
the eagerness of the United States to
preserve its interests in Argentina. One
Of them is the appropriation Of half
million dollars asked recently by the
Department of Commerce in order to
strengthen commercial relations with
Latin America One of the chief rea-
sons for this appropriation, which has
already been granted, was stated to be
the necessity of appointing another
commercial attache In Buenos Aires and
other trade agents in different parts OF
the Argentine Republic. The officers Of
the Commerce Department thus showed
that they did not overlook the impor-
lance of a more complete and more
accurate contact with conditions pre-
vailing in the largest South American
market.
The other step which has been in
terpreted as counter move by the
United States in this growing CONNER
cial rivalry with European powers that
are aiming to endanger it's leadership
in Argentina is the recent acquisition
of palatial home in Buenos Aires for
its Ambassador there. Besides this resi-
Dental palace, which cost almost one
and a half million dollars, an eight
story office building will be erected
near by to provide working quarters
for the Ambassador, his staff and other
government representatives, such as De-
partment of Commerce trade agents,
etc. BY these acts, according to press
reports, the United States may be said
to have served notice of its permanent
interest in Argentina.
Uncle Sam cannot afford to be idle
when Great Britain sends down her
chief salesman to sell British good win
and northumberland goods in
Buenos Aires.
COMMERCIAL WINGS.
Warning of q menace to United
States trade in Latina American coun-
tries through the expanding aviation
enterprises of Great Britain, France,
Italy and Germany, a member of the
Foreign Affairs urged q few days ago
that American air lines to the rich and
vast markets on the other side of the
Rio Grande be increased and developed
as fast as possible.
"Our greatest commercial concern lies
in the countries on the east coast of
South America" said Representative
Mas. ut is in this area that the
richest and most fertile trade opportu-
mites are located. 1t is in this area
that our strongest European competitors
are now making a drive for additional
markets"
He had just completed study of'avi-
alton possibilities along the lines COW
cred by the services of the. Pan-Ameri-
can Always Corporation, which con-
trolls the largest aerial network in the
world, and, being himself a licensed
pilot. he emphasized the Importance OF
aerial communications in deciding this
starring competition for the southern
markets.
Representative Mas pointed out that
the French will soon install an Affair
plane mail service between France and
South America, abandoning the use of
cruisers from that continent to Africa;
tha6i the Germans are making a COM
mercial gesture through the impending
fight Of the giant flying boat DO-X to
South America; that the Italians have
already scored with their flight of 10
seaplanes from Italy to, Brazil, and that
Great Britain has her ace and influep-
tial commercial ambassador, the Prince
of Wales, on a goodwill tour of South
America which Is admitted to be some
thing more than mere diplomatic ges-
ture.
1T is plain" he stated, that Europe
is knocking at the door of the rich
east coast for orders. The United States
must be on the alert" And then he
suggested that the weekly airmail serv-
ice of the Pan-American Airways to
Santos, Brasil be increased to twice or
three times a week and that the cora-
pletiop of this service through to Buzz
nos Aires should receive serious and
immediate study.
No forward docking American states
man will fail to recognize that Repre-
sentative Mas is right when he says
that "our airnail service is one of the
best means we can employ to meet the
efforts Of our trade opponents"
:. THE RACE Is ON.
Undoubtedly, it is with this realiza-
ton IN mind that the board Of direc-
tors Of the American Aeronautic Assoc