Evening star., 1932-10-09

to arbitrate? Instead Of using the
power which numerous arbitration
treaties give them, the neutrals weaken
before Bolivia's insistence on war.
When the neutrals and Paraguay ac-
cept a proposal, then Bolivia makes a
counter proposal, which the neutrals
then bring to us as their own. The
whole question ought to be arbitrated."
Thinks Temporary Truce Futile.
do you favor a temporary truce?"
What good will it do? We want
to be assured by the guarantees Of the
strong nations of America, whose word
can be trusted, that this question will
be arbitrated and that the arbitration
will be carried out. With such assur-
ance We can go forward with the de-
veloping of our nation, building the
educational and economic program we
need, to modernize our land"
What are the influences in Bolivia
in favor of aggression? Since when
have these been especially noticeabIe?"
was the next question.
When Bolivia signed the treaty with
Chile in 1904, which definitely arranged
Chile's possession of former Bolivian
territory on the Pacific Coast, she
then began an aggressive movement in
the Chaco. This showed itself at first
on the Argentine frontier. When Bolivia
built forts on the Argentine side of the
Pilcomayo River and Argentina, after
/ falling to secure an arbitration, ordered
Bolvia's immediate retirement Then
the advance into Paraguayen territory
began. II should be remembered that
the territory which Bolivia now claims
was awarded to Paraguay in the arbi-
tration submitted to President Hayes,
following the war between Paraguay on
one SIDE and Argentina, Brazil and
! Uruguay on the other Paraguay &C
ceded to the demands Of Argentina that
that country be given the territory oc-
cupied by her military forces in the
Chaco as far as the Pilcomayo. The
claims of the Chaco beyond the Pilco-
mayo Cthe territory now claimed by
Bohvia) were referred to President
Hayes. He made the award to Para
quay But since Bolivia has been shut
off from the Pacific, she has made
vigorous claim to the very territory
awarded in the dispute between Para
quay and Argentina"
/ Mr. President, much is said in South
American newspapers about certain
petroleum and banking interests of the
United States being behind Bolivia in
her drive for an outlet to the Atlantic.
Will you express an opinion on this?"
II 90 not see why any petroleum
company should be backing Bolivia in
war to secure port on the Paraguay
River, or the concession for pipe line
or railway. since Paraguay is per-
fectly willing to give such a concession
to such a company or even to Bolivia
itself under proper conditions.
1T seems quite evident, however, that
the large loans made to Bolivia by
North American bankers have allowed
her to prepare strong military ma
chine which inspires confidence in her
power to take by force what she con-
tinually refuses to arbitrate When the
| representatives of our two countries
were holding conversation under the
hospitality Of Argentina three years ago,
I could notice an immediate change in
the attitude of the Bolivian delegates
when they learned of new loan that
had been secured from the United
States. They then showed considerably
less willingness to come to any agree
ment about the disputed territory A
large portion Of recent loans has gone
into preparations for war. a war party
has been developed. tte German mill
tary mission has prepared the army.
and it looks as if Bolivia is determined
on war that neither of these poor
countries can in the least afford"
Peace Move at StandstilI.
"Mr. President, you have been a close
student OF pan-AmeriCanism and at
tended many of its conferences: what
do you think of its present status?"
How can pan-Americanism exist IL
1t cannot settle simple question like
the Chaco? The disinterested countries
OF America must either force the peace
ful arbitration Of this question or &C.
knowledge the failure of pan-Amer.
1canlsm. Why meet together, confer
ence after conference, declare conti-
mental solidarity and then allow a
simple question like the Chaco to be
settled by war? 1t makes a mockery
OF our boasted panAmericanism. Our
movement for peace in America is at
a Standstill. The work of the neutrals
IN Washington is breaking down. the
A. B. C.-Peru combination is only ex-
pectant, the League of Nations is Of
no use because it fears to take active
part in American questions We witness
the breakdown of pan-Americanism."
Finances Described.
One more question I was anxious to
ask and that was about Paraguay's
financial situation. The Presidents re-
Piled that Paraguay had no pressing
financial claims. During the last 10
years when other South American
countries had been making immense
loans from the United States. Para
quay he said. had lived within her
resources. resisting the temptation to
go into debt in spite of her needs for
pubic works of all kinds A small
English loan made many years ago
still required the payment of interest.
put this is being met as a part of the
regular budget and presents no diff
ficulty
The recent expenditures for mobiliza-
hax-;vz
from some 5000 to $4,000. have been
met by internal financing. The farmers
ana ranchmen are furnishing their
productS as are the merchants and
women OF the cities contributing to the
Hed Cross and equipment funds. A
considerable amount of munitions
TRUCKS, airplanes, anti-aircraft guns and
otner material has been recently ac-
CURED. 1t is estimated that the con-
olt1on OF the treasury will support
several months more Of such a situa-
ton
An hour and three quarters had
passed since We sat down in the small
WORK shop, surrounded with maps. re-
ports ana reference books. I had been
taxing with real man-not the DOM
!nant, oVerpowering personality of n
plutarco Gales. not the suave. secre-
i've type OF Getulio Vargas, not the
breezy bllsineSs-like Gabriel Terra. not
the tall diplomatic Olaya Herrera. not
the nervous, worried diminutive Carlos
Davila-but a human being more than
any OF the many Latin American presi-
dents l have interviewed-a real human
WIN more interest in the human race
as whole than any man I've met IN
puonc NE Tor many q day, q real
internationalistl
tcopyrisht. iss7 BY North Am.riesn Mama.
paper Alliance, Inc
No Real Sieve.
Prom the Toledo Blade.
A primary election can't well he