Evening star., 1940-10-02
BY W. n. sHIPPEN, Jr.

the impending dinner Of the Army's
chief of staff.
To Tour Defenses.
The two officers are to accompany
the visitors on their two-week tour
by air of United States defenses.
A few of the reporters knew
Spanish, several others were practi.
cally certain they did. and the re-
mainder had picked up some words
here and there. It soon became
evident that the visitors from the
republics to the south knew more
English than their questioners did
Spanish. The desire for an under
standing, however, was equally
strong on both sides.
The Latins, in their trim uni
forms of olive drab and khaki color,
were most gracious In expressions
of pleasure for the reception ten
dered them. They were full of adj
miration for President Roosevelt,
who received them at the White
the Capitol, the other public build
ings, and, in particular, for Gen.
Marshall and his staff.
None of them. In the brief inter-
view. seemed disposed to discuss
specific subjects-military alliances,
individual strength, German or
Italian penetration, etc.
Gen. BerEalli Answers Queries.
A possible exception was Gen.
Marcelino Bergalli, inspector general
and commander Of the Army Of
Uruguay. He was asked about the
status of alleged Nazi attempts to
dominate Uruguay. He replied that
following the dictates of justice and
the procedure of the courts, eight
of them have been imprisoned"
What can you say of the future
course of this AFFAIR."" the general
was asked.
I'VE do not believe their strength
Is of any great consequence"
WAS the CONSUMPTION law in
Uruguay the result of alleged Nazi
interference"
mo, no, mol" the general replied
ut was only to prevent any repeti-
ton of the trouble"
At this juncture the coast artillery
colonel, watch in hand, called an
abrupt halt to the interview. The
visitors had only time to assemble
below for the dinner of Gen.
Marshall.
Previously, however, Gen. Luis M.
Castenada, chief Of staff of the
Colombian Army, had told the press
through Capt. Crystal that, 1--WE had
the honor today to have an audience
with the President of the United
States. We could not have had 4
more pleasant impression. In this
sentiment he was joined by Maj.
Gen. Rodolfo A. Mendoza, chief Of
staff of Guatemala, who added he
found Mount Vernon very interest
ing" since that national shrine
showed the great appreciation Of
the American people for their
nberator.
Interested in Modern Planes.
Gen. Bergalli was asked If, in the
light Of his brief visit, his interest
had taken any special direction.
YES" he replied, Il wish to see
anything of interest or worth to an
army or In the training Of soldiers.
I would like to see the new machines
of war and how they are built,
especially modern airplanes!"
Deputy Chief of staff Manuel Rod
riguez Torra of Costa Rica echoed the
Presidents slogan of hemisphere
defense-"One for all and all for
one" He explained that as a rep
resentative of one of the smallest
of the Latin-American republics
he felt sure his people ''like the
others will fight" for the inde-
pendence of the Americas.
"As we are very small" he said.
1--WE will need the help Of all the
countries of the Americas. espe-
cially the United States. We for
our part desire to hep protect
the interests of all the Americas" I"
Col. Torra ended with a tribute
to Gen. Marshall and his staff and
an expression of appreciation for
the hospitality he and his com.
panions have received in this coun.
try.
The visitors itinerary yesterday
included a sightseeing trip about
Washington in the morning, a visit
to the Pan-American Union Build.
ing at II am, q call on Gen. Mar.
shall, conference at the White
House, a luncheon at the Pam
American Union, a trip to Mount
Vernon in the afternoon, a review at
Fort Myer, reception in Gen. Mar.
shall's quarters, and a formal dim
ner last night.
Not to mention the press inter.
view.
The impression gathered by no
few Of the press was that the mill.
tary men were pretty good sports
as well as campaigners, and that
they can take it, come what mayl
Delegation Will See
Longley's Best Worbirds
LANGLEY FIELD, Va, Oct. 2 l9.
The Army Air Corps groomed
some of its biggest and best war.
birds for the inspection tour today
OF military Representatives of nine