Evening star., 1932-06-19
E- GASTON NERVAL.

" VENTS of far reaching 1mpor-
l. tauce in the southernmost part
of the continent, succeeding
L. themselves rapidly, have kept
the attention of political stu
darts centered in Chile during the last
few days.
Although the socialistic revolt was
not entirely unexpected in Chlle' the
suddenuesS of the movement and its
undated march toward the Left have
Justly alarmed the rest Of the world.
At first the seriousness Of the situa-
ton vas overlooked abroad. Some
thought that this was merely another
Of the periodic South American dis
turbanceS which have accompanied the
progress of the present economic de-
preston in that part Of the world. The
sOcialistic propaganda, in the opinion
Of an American newspaper, was only
".hr0Wn in in order that the new ad-
mi.l:Stration may take over the i'm
menselv valuable COSach nitrate mines,
and thus have rich source OF revenue.
This view was strengthened when it
became known that one of the leaders
of the revolt was Carlos G.. Davila, for
mer Ambassador to Washington, pre-
viously connected with the military die
tatorship of Gen. Ibanez, and only two
years ago an enthusiastic advocate OF
the cooperation of American capital in
the DEVELOPMENT of Chilean natural
products.
Senor Davila. an intellectual and a
diplomat internationally minded, was
as avowed friend of the United States
His presence in the Chilean revolu
tionary iunta was a guaranty against
the threats Of cOnfiScation and the cries
Of war on foreign capital which CORE
spondents reported, aghast, from San
ti2gO.
Assurance as to Property.
Soon after the first news of the es-
tabliShnlent Of a socialistic government
in Chile had reached Washington. as
that private property of foreigners would
not be interfered with.
The governing junta. headed by
SenCr Davlla, issued communIque N
which, after pointing out the weak
ncssos of capitalism and the necessity
Of modifying that system by progressive
State Socialisn-nationaliz of GER
tain industries and public utilities. dis
tributior OF food, etc, it was clearly
stated that the rights and interests of
foreign capitalists would be respected.
we have no intention of molesting
private property. either Chilean or
foreign" said Senor Davila. Con
tracts. etc, will be respected as they
have always been. The foreign debts
situation stands as it always has
stood"
Representatives of American inter-
estS, which have Investments of more
than eight hundred million dollars in
Chile. declared that they were not
alarmed by the change Of government.
The New York Times quoted them es
saying that they knew Provisional
President Carlos G.. Davila and were
sure that he would not nlolest Amer
lean companies
The impression predominant at that
time in Washington is embodied in the
following dispatch, which the New
York papers printed two days after the
Chilean coup d'etat had been ccm-
pleted:
There was disposition in diplo-
matte circles today in Washington to
accept with reserve reports that Pro
vis;onal President Carlos G.. Davila,
former Ambassador to the United
States, would embark upon a radical
program that would stamp Chile as
communistic." The dispatch, then.
went on explaining the personality of
DaVila and the fact that he had left
his impress here as one imbued with q
high sense of responsibility and one
who had keen sense of the Importance
to any government of international
good will
Declaration of Aim.
BESIDES, Senor Davila had declared
publicly that the sole aim of his gov
eminent was the accomplishment of
three fundamental propositions: Organ
l"aticn technically Of the courtry's pro-
ductiVe forces under control of the
state; establishment of ample social
justice, and assurances of work for all
CM!e2rS.
To such an extent did these assur-
anccS impress editorial opinion in this
country that well known writer and
authority on international affairs said
in The Times only a few days ago:
From all of the evidence yet reported
from Chile, it appears that Davila s So
cialism is a screen for the far more
practical aims Of his military associ-
ate5. A socialism which rides into power
on a military dictatorship will be
neither dangerous to its opponents nor
effective for its friends"
And another writer went even fur
ther: American investments in Chile
are in little danger" he said, "and it is
not probable that anything will come
of the effort to take over the CoSach
properties-so the present situation Sc
riouS though the Communistic talk may
have been, will in all likelihood eventu-
ate as just another of the tempest5 in
teapot to which the Latin Americans
are so accustomed"
But this optimistic attitude was only