Evening star., 1941-05-21
Chilean Writer'S Visit Adds
To Understanding of u. S.
Vega Plans to Tell
His People Why
He Likes Country

Manuel Vega. Santiago (Chile)
newspaperman and author, who
served for several months as a guest
member of The Stars editorial staff,
is leaving today for New York on
his way home, convinced that his
experience in this country has given
him an immeasurably better under
standing of the United States and
hoping to impart this knowledge TO
his people.
Mr.. Vega was one Of small group
of Chilean journalists brought to
this country under the auspices OF
leading metropolitan newspapers.
Each of them was appointed visit
ing writer for one Of these dallles
and wrote his impressions from day
to day.
Mr.. Vega, who is widely known In
Chile as journalist and author
despite his youth, confesses that ne
had A somewhat different idea OF
the United States, its ways ana lts
people. before he came here.
in Chile" he explained. those OF
us who haven't been to the united
States think Of it as a place wnere
all the people want to do is TO make
money The reality is far dlf1erent.
I was surprised and delighted with
the interest in cultural pursuits
which I have found in this country.
Visited Leading Cities.
Mr. Vega and his companions have
lust returned from a trip that TOOK
them to the Pacific Coast, with VS.
it's to leading cities In every section
And tours of airfelds. defense lac
tories and other industries num-
ming to capacity at the moment
eve In South America are very
much interested in your national
defense" he said. I'VE are doing
what we can along that line. though
We lack the funds to plan defense on
such an immense scale. I was ire
mendously impressed with the furi-
GUS pace at which you are prepar-
ing"
Mr.. Vega had been convinced and
he is more emphatic since his visit,
of the necessity for hemisphere
solidarity against all aggression
from the other side of the werld.
Pointing out that his own paper,
Ell Dairo Illustrado, is an "opposi-
ton" organ, opposing the present
government of Chile, Mr.. Vega
added: "But in Chile we all want a
free government, freedom to speak
and write what we please, and we
have it. We are very democratic
and we are against all relationships"
While there Is a small Nazi party
in Chile-a negligent minority, ne
called it-he is convinced most OF
the people are sympathetic with
Great Britain In her struggle
asainst Germany and want to see
democratic ideals triumph.
Enjoyed Work Here.
Mr.. Vega enjoyed his work on The
Star. Asked what he thought OF
North American newspapers in gen.
eral. he said South American papers
could learn much from them.
"I was impressed with the way
they are organized" he said. For
instance, when I wanted to look up
the background on something 1
could always go to The Stars Ii
brary and find it. You couldn't do
that on our papers. We don't have
a reference library organized for
ready use"
Mr.. Vega also was surprised to
find newspapers printing the views
Of columnists which might not CO.
incide at all with their editorial
policies. He thought this a good
thing. .-.--.s.
1--WE wouldn't do that in Chile"
he explained. 1--WE print only what
furthers our policies"
On the other hand, he felt that
United States papers could print
more South American news. He
found it scarce and fragmentary.
His paper, for instance, has en- entire
section every day headed News