Evening star., 1937-12-12
GUATEMALA LEANS
TO FASCIST ITALY,
Duce's Political IdeoIogy
Has Influence Over Gen.
- trail Americans.
BY JAMES M, MINIFIE.

ROME, Dec. 1.-THE recent pre-
sentation of the Order Of Quetzal, the
highest decoration of the Guatemalan
Republic, to King Victor Emmanuel
III and to Premier Benito Mussolini
has turned the attention of the italian
public to that little-noticed state.
Relations between the two coun-
tries have been cor lial for years. This
sentiment was enhanced during the
sanctions period, when the Guate-
malan President, Gen. Jorge Ubico,
took the opportunity Of demonstrate
ing his friendship and admiration for
Italy.
At that time Guatemala figured
nominally among the sanctionist
states, but announced that her ad-
herence was one Of form only. It is
said here that not a single pound of
merchandise was in fact restricted,
and not long after Guatemala with
drew from the League. A little later
Guatemala recognized the Italian En-
pire OF Ethiopia, and followed this by
recognition of Gen. Francisco Frances
regime in Spain, an example which
was initiated by Fl Salvador and Mic
aragua.
Alliance Reported Sought.
There were even reports that Guat-
emala had sought q definite alliance
with Italy, but that after consultation
the idea had been abandoned, because
OF difdculties it might have created
with the United States. In any case,
alliances are going out of fashion, re-
placed by cultural accords The i'm
portant factor is that there should
be harmony of political theology. When
That is present the rest is easy. When
that Is lacking all the pacts and
pledges in the world cannot draw di-
vergent aims together
This harmony obviously exists be-
tween Italy and Guatemala. AS the
Turin paper La Stampa puts it, the
Guatemalan regime is liberal, but not
IN the unetymological sense which
the word has in some European coun-
tries. 1t is regime of order and
tradition, Catholic and distinctly anti
communist. 1t proclaims Iibertad' in
tne Latin sense. For the Romans
noertas was the sum Of rights and
duties OF the civic Romanus.'"
Italian influence Is strong. There
are only $500 Italians among Guate-
malas 2,373,083 inhabitants-but only
10 per cent Of this population is whites
ana creole. Italians come second to
Germans as the most numerous foreign
group. And 1t is believed here that
tnere is great field for Italian &C.
tlV1ty, with corresponding increase
IN The Italian population, both by ma
tural increase and immigration.
Road-Making Chief Activity.
Road-making, for which inhabi.
tants OF Italy have a millennial anti
tude, Is one of their chief activities
In Guatemala at present. but il is
urged that there are many other fields
OF profitable endeavor of which Italians
should take advantage.
Inc chief agricultural products
ehlcle and bananas, virtually are
monopolized by Americans, but, as La
Stampa points out: In the import
ana export trade there is a large place
Tor us. Guatemala has need of win.
and hats in large quantities. Much
OF the wine which arrives with French
LABELS comes from our VINEYARDS Il
Is treated in France and re-exported
under French commercial name
Many OF the hats with American trade
MARKS were made in Piedmont. Elm.
inatlon OF foreign Intermediates would
oe good business for both interested
partes-our producers and Guate-
malan consumers"
Inc paper points out that G,,at..
maian purchases of foreign textiles
nave been rising constantly, and that
.ne Italian National Textile Exposi-
tion should be a good opportunity Of
proving Italy's capacity to satisfy Cen
tfai american requirements.
IN looking toward Guatemala rt.,v
IS Following the logical trend set by
the Anti-Comintern Pact with Ger,
many and Japan. With modern trans.
port ana means Of communication
geographical restraints on intern.
tionai intercourse are decreasing A.
.ne same time theological barriers srs
increasing. The tendency here is den.
nleeiy to make trade follow doctr;ne-
also. "'''A ~aoe'
ecopyrisht 1887. by New york
Tribune Inc.)