Evening star., 1932-06-19
RADICAL MOVES in CHILE
GIVING CONCERN TO U. S.
How Far ''New Social and Economic Sys.
tem'' Would Clash With Foreign
Interests Is Declared Uncertain.

a result Of the superficial knowledge of
Latin American conditions for which
distance and a traditional lack Of IL
terest should be made responsible in the
United States. Those who had been
observing the progress of radical ten
dencieS on the other side of the Rio
Grande; those who knew the psyche
logical effect Of doctrines of reform and
change on the Latin masses in period
of widespread discomfort and re-eXam-
ination OF all values; those who had
heard Of the long-standing feud be-
tween the two widely separated classes
of the Chilean society; those who could
recognize the real forces behind this
lea. did not let tha diplomatic assur-
ances Of the new Santiago regime be-
fuddle them.
Tempest in Teapot.
They knew that the overthrow of
conservative President Montero amount
ed to something else than a mere "pe-
riodical disturbance or just another
tempest in tea pot"
Thew knew that the change had
dec roots than the advanced per-
Sonal ideas of former Ambassador Da-
villa. They knew. finally, that a status
I
itself as the rule headed by Davila could
not subsist very long. 1t was not pos
sible to harmoniZe violent declaration of
economic and social changes for home
consumption with polite, timorous as
surances of respect for the old order Of
things to the international audience
One of the two tendencies had to
prevail, definitely, over the other
Either the more moderate elements,
like Davila, forcefully checked the ad-
vances of extremists and implanted a
new government on the classic pattern,
with only difference in name and
persons, or else the radicals carried
out the real intentions of the revolu-
ton. And in the carrying out, the
moderates had to be sacrificed.
Concern of United States.
According to official Commerce De-
partment estimates, United States
investments in Chile amount to some
S8l5, 100000. TIE Cosach nitrate CON-
bine controlled by American inter
ests. which has drawn the bitterest
criticism from Leftist elements, is cap
italized at S375000 600.
OF the S275, 100000 invested in Chill
can bonds, all except about $50 ,O0O,O 900
is in obligations of the national govern
ment. The rest is invested in bonds
of the Mortgage Bank of Chile, which
are government guaranteed securities.
Extremist leaders in Chile do not con-
fine themselves to asking the confisca-
ton of foreign capital directly invested
in the country. They also demand the
reputation of foreign debts, which have
become unbearable with the depression.
And yet this is not the only danger
The real menace, from the point CT view
of the United States, lies in the propa-
cation of the Chilean crisis to the neigh
boring countries, and thence to the rest
of the Latin American continent,
Already signs OF radical agitation are
apparent in most Of those countries.
The success of the Chilean movement
will undoubtedly have a gerat influence
in shaping the policies of opposition
leaders everywhere. who have been play
| ing up what they call the failure of
capitalism-as shown by the world de-
pression-and the establishment of a
new ard happier order Of things, as
theories.
Participants in Mass Meetings.
Only few days ago Socialist leaders
! from Colombia, Ecuador and Peru par
ticipated in two huge mass meetings in
Santiago, at which Chilean workers and
other supporters Of the new regime cele-
brated the completion Of its first weel;
in power. In the meantime, from most
of the Latin American capitals come
press reports intimating the possibility
that the Chilean movement may spread
to other southern republics.
The situation is particularly danger
GUS in the nations bordering Chile,
| where internal unrest has been revived
by the Chilean events, and in the Cen
tral American States, where Red propa-
ganda has been active lately against
| the large holdings of United States and
British capital. 1t is net long ago that
Communistic revolt was theoretically
| put down by the Martinez government
of El Salvador
! Under the present circumstances, per-
haps the State Department should re-
| consider its earlier decision not to rec
ognize the Martinez regime of El Sal
vador, which had been set up with the
aid Of armed forces. Recognition by
| the United States. and the moral sup
| port which this entails, may be a guar
anty against the repetition Of the Chill
can crisis in Ell Salvador. And a crisis
in El Salvador, or in any other of the
Central American countries, at this par
ticular time may be full of international
complications. Certainly, it would be
a tremendous setback to the progress of
an-Americanism.
In view of the, difficult Chilean situ-
alton, anything which may contribute
to the stability of the present Carib-
bean governments must certainly have
| far-reaching effects on the next politi-
cal developments south Of the Ric
Grande.
! Copyright, 1927