Evening star., 1940-12-08
Campaign for Hemisphere Unity
Draws Many y. S. Participants
Nelson Rockefeller -, Doar.a.Year Man. Leads
Move to Improve Relationships
of American Republics
By Garnen ID. HOrner.

national heroes, the traditions. the songs
and the folklore of each of the other re-
pubics."
Plans are being considered for the
interchange of popular as well as SYM
phonic orchestras-With perhaps a
famous Swing" band from this coun-
try touring Latin America while one or
more of the exponents of the South
American Way" in music visits the
United States.
Interchange of radio programs is be-
ing stepped up. In addition to tremen-
dous strides in the broadcasting of spe-
cial programs by short wave. two of the
major radio networks in this country
already have arranged with a number
of long-wave stations in South America
to pick up their short-Wave programs
and rebroadcast them. The other ma jor
chain is expected to make similar ar
rangements. At least one of the net
works also is expected to begin rebroad-
casting on the standard channels in this
country many of the programs sent by
short wave from Latin America.
Radio to Help.
AS an indication of the interest mani
tested by the radio companies in improv-
ing inter- American service, the National
Broadcasting Co. recently sent its direc-
tor of short-wave broadcasts on a South
American survey tour, and the Columbia
Broadcasting System hired Edmund
Chester, Associated Press Latin Ameri-
can news editor, as chief of its Latin
American division. Mr. Chester and
William S. Paley, c. B. S. president, now
are touring Latin America
Hollywood is falling into line whole
heartedly with the program The Will
Hays Office has designated one of its ex-
perts to give full time to checking on
movies TO make sure they do not offend
Latin American national sensibilities.
For example, Hollywood dramas no
longer depict a Mexican as the sole viii
lain.
The newsreel companies are co-operat-
ing, too, particularly in striving for bet
ter editing of programs sent to Latin
America and in increasing the quantity
and quality of their coverage of Latin
American events for showing here.
Most of the major cinema organiza-
tlons have employed Or are seeking tech
nical experts familiar with the traditions
and day-to-day details of life both here
and in Latin America in order to assure
accurate presentation of each.
Plans in Field of Art.
In the field of art, plans are being pro-
NOTED by leaders Of some of this coun-
trys outstanding museums to set up an
exchange system with the nations Of the
South-forming what would amount to
travelling exhibits" of American art
Archibald McLeish, Librarian Of Con-
gress, and other experts are listing books
which might be considered worthy OF
translating from English into Spanish
and vice versa. preliminary to the pos
sible launching OF a program for in
creased interchange of books with the
other Americas. More of this Countrys
newspapers are opening Offices in South
America
In addition to all these more or less
indirect methods of stimulating inter-
American understanding, Mr.. Rockefel-
lers staff hopes to encourage greatly in
creased travel by United States tourists
to South America and from those coun-
tries northward. Such travel would have
its practical benefits as we'll as those
arising from the understanding brought
by personal contacts.
Mr.. Rockefeller points out that In boom
tiraes. travellers from this country spent
half billion dollars a year in Europe
and that the spending of third of that
amount in the Central and South Amer
ican nations this year would solve their
present exchange problems.
The efforts to create better understand
ing in the cultural field march hand-in
hand with currently intensified programs
for joint economic and military defense
action, with the staff Of experts gathered
by Mr. Rockefeller doing an increasingly
important job of co-ordinating the activi-
ties of private business and the numerous
Government agencies concerned with in
ter-American commercial and financial
problems.