Evening star., 1940-12-22
U. S. Experts Meeting
Trouble in Survey Of
Brazilian Rubber
Purposes Misunderstood
By All Except Small
Group Of OfficioIs
BY ALLEN HADEN,

PARA, Brazil, Dec. 2l.-Experts
from the United States Agriculture
Department, delegated to make q
survey to determine the most prom
Using rubber producing areas in the
tropical Americas, are heading into
difficulties, according to indications
here.
It appears that only small group
Of Government agricultural experts
hereabouts really comprehend what
the visiting experts are trying to do
under the $4,000 appropriated by
Congress for research along this
line, although as far back rs August
Henry A. wallace, then Secretary
Of Agriculture, announced the Latin
American republics were co-operat.
ing in the enterprise, two explora-
ton parties already being at work,
and another group on its way.
According to Mr.. Wallace's state
ment at that time. the project was
to include surveys taking In an
area from Vera Cruz, Mexico, to
Rio de Janerio, Brazil. Observations
made were to serve as q basis for
determining, in cooperation with
the countries involved. the locations
Of at least two experimental bases
to be established in the most prom
Using areas. Results of the survey
and the experimental work follow
ing, the statement said, would be
made available to any American re-
public and to large and small grow
ers.
Emphasizes Reaction.
However, at the moment 1t seems
that South Americans are under
the impression that the United
States research groups are here for
the purpose OF finding suitable sites
for the establishment OF huge rub
ber plantations literally financed by
either the United States or private
American capital.
A heavily editorialized front page
interview with the Bolivian Sena-
tor, Napoleon Salaris. just published
by the leading newspaper OF Para
(seaport capital of the State Of Para
and worlds largest rubber porb
serves to emphasize the present
reaction of both private and gov
ernmental circles here. That is that
exports Of rubber buds. CRAFTS and
seeds will cause the already infini
tesimal Brazilian rubber production
to decline.
Senator Solaris admits pride in
the fact that it was he who pre-
vented native Bolivian stock highly
resistant to leaf mold, growth re-
tarding disease. from being con-
tributed to world rubber science.
He informed me that it had been
his understanding that American
experts had gone to Bolivia to seek
locations for capital investment in
plantations. When he discovered
that they sought only better dis
ease resistant and high yielding
plants, he blocked exports for ex-
perimental purposes from Bolivia.
And Senator Solaris' attitude
seems to be shared here.
Purposes Misunderstood.
Nobody seems to understand that
these specimens, sought by our ex-
perts for experimental purposes,
would be exported for use by the
experimental station at Panama
maintained by the United States
Government. Nor Is 1t understood
that from Panama, Brazilian plant.
ers and the Government can obtain
nursery stock
Thus the intentions and purposes
OF the United States are completely
misunderstood. But this dog in the.
manger attitude hurts only potential
producing countries located mainly
in Central and South America. It
Injuries neither the United States nor
producing countries like Malaga and
the Netherlands Indies.
The American Government must
make 1t clear, it is felt by Ameri-
cans, that 1t has no intention here
OF investing any money in rubber
plantations in the Amazon Valley O,
anywhere else. If this is not made
clear infinite recriminations will
ensue and OUR good intentions will be
used against us. In short, Uncle
Sam again will have been played
for sucker.
Today shipment of buds and
CRAFTS to the experimental station al
tPanama was permitted, Brazilian
officials turning their backs when
the bundle was loaded. But official
permission for the shipment was
refused.
tcopyriEht, 1910. by the Chieaso Daily
| NevsD