Evening star., 1941-02-18
BIZ Manuel Vega.


Literary Editor Of Fl Diario 1lustrado, Santiago
Chile
1t is my first morning at work on The
Evening Star and I am seeing snow
fall for the second time in my life.
This white rain comes down fine and
gently and leaves its visible imprint on
the roofs of autos and in the forks Of
the trees. This spectacle has a singular
attraction for the Chilean reporter, up
from Santiago to witness the working OF
great American newspaper. We shall
not say participate" despite the kind
ness of our American colleagues, all of
whom have been most courteous, willing
ly offering their aid in an undertaking
having all the earmarks of an adven-
ture. Language difficulties melt away in
the sincerely expressed sentiments of
our new friends Far from our home
from our own workaday world, there is
no yearning for that which in Chile we
have left behind.
My first impressions of Washington
They are not so easily synthesized in
brief form! We have seen so many new
and marvellous things within a few
hours; we have verified so many impress
Sions which before we had received
through the newsreel. eliminating all,
of course, was Mr.. Hull's reception at his
press conference last week and, the fol-
lNuyiyn ,,ieit tn
Roosevelt and similar ceremony. Two
unforgettable personages; two characters
well defined! The scholarly bearing of
Mr.. Hull is in keeping with his terseness
OF speech Standing, facing reporters
who question him without a break, he
rests his pale hands on the high back of
chair. His glance, one might say,
dominates all about him, though he
scarcely moves his eyes. His answers,
oftentimes in the form of a mere "yes"
or mo-" cut short the indiscreet question
or an empty issue There can be no
doubt that the United States has in
trusted its foreign affairs to the 'indis-
pensable mana man prudent and wise
in the hours which shake the world.
At Mr.. Roosevelt's conference the
complete lack of fanfare surrounding
the ceremony was most surprising We
have witnessed an authentic demonstra-
ton OF democracy; wherein contact is
quickly established between the Execu-
tive and the representatives of public
opinion. The reporters noisuy approach
Mr.. Roosevelt's desk. With order estab-
llshed the President welcomes the news
papermen from Chile. In a clear voice
he speaks with sureness and as an old
friend to those around him. His glance,
quick and darting, takes in one and
the other extreme as it glances back and
forth over the room. 1t may be the Pres
ident does not care to lose any of the i'm
preston provoked by his words. And we
would even say that a certain impatience
Is apparent in the movement of his
hands or when he allows the ash from
his cigarette to fall. The expression of
the face also changes constantly He
smiles and stops smiling. He meditates
a moment or suddenly draws into him.
self. And he even keeps silence when the
questioning touches on the situation
abroad or in the Far East. But at no
time does the President hide his thought.
The man Of state says fearlesSly what
he should He is we'll aware that his
words within matter OF minutes will
encircle the world.
My new associates have asked me for
some facts concerning the papers on
which I work in Chile. The El Diario
Ilustrado is political paper founded in
1902 by three distinguished represent
atives of the Conservative party. Today
1t is neither considered an official organ
of this party, nor does the party own it.
1t now belongs to the Journalistic So
ciety of Chile and is now a paper COM
prehensive in sympathies and under
standings.
Moreover, it is a controversial paper.
Generally, all the articles on its edi-
torial page are signed, contrary to the
custom prevailing on other Chilean
papers. The latter voice their opinions
anonymously. Among those who write
for FL Diario Ilustrado are severally
widely known Chilean writers, such as
the still-remembered Joaquin Diaz
Garces who, under the pseudonym of
Angel Pine, wrote remarkable articles on
social satire and political topics The
foremost polemicist on politics in Chile,
Rafael Luis Gumucio, is at present Con-
servative Senator He has also been the
editor of the paper. Another among his
best-known collaborators is Jenaro
Prieto, humorist, who signs his articles
with a plain "P." He has become very
popular. At one time, in 1925, Prieto
inverted an imaginary country, called
Tontilandia the silly land), to be able
to refer to happenings in Chile.
And now final word. For two months
my work is going to be tWofold An
honest interchange of impressions for
the better understanding between our
two countries; between the United
States and Chile. I want to write here
some observations on Chilean activities,
politics, general news and society. And.
at the same time, to send to my papers
the fine impressions which am con-
tinually getting here. I know this part
of my work will be the most agreeable
and for my personal experience the most