Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-07-29
U. S. WATCHES CHILE.
Argentine Situation Also Said to Worry
Officials.
BY CONSTANTINE BROWN.

O1nClAla.
BY CONSTANTINE BROWN.
While the political situation in Chile,
according to official information, is con-
sidered stable enough in its core to re-
solve itself, despite apparent turbulence
and hysterical attempts to organize an
eficient government following the flight
of Dictator Carlos Ibanez, the economic
condition Of that country continues To
worry the American State Department.
Argentina, with the Uriburu regime
tottering before the rising tide Of OPP
position from radical elements, is pro-
voking still greater misgivings IN wash
ington.
Chile's staple products, copper and
nitrates. have Joined other commodities
of the world in a rapid depreciation.
For about two decades Chile has been
able to show a favorable trade balance
averaging $50. 10000 year up to last
year. Since then the trade balance has
shown a deficit of $4,000, 900 and, In the
present world markets, there is no sign
of Improvement.
Chile Expected to Default.
On account of these economic DIFF
ficulties the Chilean government, 1t is
foreseen, will find it extremely d1fhcut.
if not impossible. to meet It's external
obligations. and it is expected in OF
fetal circles that Chile will be forced
to default payments on this quarters
interest. A declaration in this sense
will be made. according to reports from
Santiago on Saturday.
In spite of these dif1cult develop
roents. washington is confident that
the departure of President Ibanez, after
an iron-handed dictatorship OF four
wears, will help to stabilize Chiles po-
litical situation.
Arrentinas situation is considered
,oore serious. although for the time
being the administration OF President
Jose Francisco Uriburu has oeen aple
to suppress the revolutionary movement
Of the Radical party
Argentine Radicals Strongest.
According to we'll informed sources.
of all the political groups existing IN
Argentina the Radical party Is still the
strongest and bsst organized senior
Irteoven its leader and former Presl-
dent of the republic, was overthrown
last Fall because of the abuses OF ms
administration. which had sicKeneo
even his most ardent followers. MOI
trusting his cabinet ministers, senior
Irigoyen had msde rule that no gov
eminent expenditure should be PAID by
the treasury unless approved by him
self. AS a result Of such measure IL
took between two months and two
wears for a contractor to get his money
and no contractor dared accept gov
ernrnent bids unless assured OF price
high enough to warrant his risklng
such a long wait for remuneration
such a system gave ample oppor
t,lnity for graft, and 1t is SAID tnAt
many Of the immediate encourage Oh
the President received substantial sums
in order to expedite the payment OF
long outstanding bills.
Uriburu Scents Graft.
Furthermore, the honesty OF some
cabinet ministers was questlonaoH
When Provisional President Uriburu
assumed office he made sensational dis
closures, such as that the minister OF
foreign affairs had an estate not ex-
ceeding 100000 pesos (about $4,000 al
present exchange, but was worth more
than 100000 pesos Isl 800 000) "nen
h. left the government, and that IN Ine
maternity hospital in Buenos AIRES
there were 40 men who had been re-
ceiving monthly wages as wet nurses
since 1923.
These are only a few examples OF
what was supposed to be going on under
the Irivoyen government No wonder
that the country was fed up with such
an administration and welcomed Gen
Uriburu IS President.
But It appears that now Argentina Is
getting tired Of being ruled with an
iron hand by this military President
His party is powerful in some of the
provinces, especially that OF Buenos
Aires. But it has no political organiza-
ton to approach that OF the Radicals
Former President Marcelo T. Alveaf
now is leading an energetic political
campaign against Gen. Uriburu and Is
taking full advantage of the prevailing
dissatisfaction caused mainly by the
world economic depression.
President Fears Radicals.
Because President Uriburu Is afraid
of the powerful organization OF the
Radical party which expects to win an
overwhelming victory at the November
elections. he has ordered the arrest and
DEPORTATION of a number OF radical lead
ers. including Senior Alvear.
These stern measures are reported tc
have caused intense dissatisfaction
throughout the country. Argentinss are
not beIlicose and want to settle Their
scores, If possible, in peaceful man.
ner. but there are certain things, such
as political oppression. for which Thsy
will not stand They had served notice
insistently on former President Irigoyen
who had been elected in 1928 by an un-
precedsnted overwhelming majority
that they would not stand for the re-
peated breaches of the constitution, and
when he paid no heed to their warnings
he was overthrown.
It is more than probable. therefore
that the same fate awaits Gen. Uriburu
should he fail to respect the constitu-
ton and endeavor to make the cleo
tions," as his present actions seem to
indicate. The State Department here
Is watching with anxiety the develop
ments in Argentina on account Of the
hsavy interest American citizens and
banks have there.
tCopyrisht 1917