Evening star., 1941-03-01
By Manuel Vega,

haze been assigned temporarily to
American 7tetUspupers.)
By Manuel Vega,
Literary Editor of El n piario 1lustrado' Santiago
AS visitor my first impressions have
been objective, rapid-like movie flashes.
Days 60 by, and, gradually, pierce the
variegated atmosphere of Washington.
No longer am merely interested in the
lively street scene, especially at certain
hours; the countless automobiles crossing
endlessly, its parks and avenues. now
gray and little desolate as winter ends.
At night, the fiestalike lighting of the
store windows, is in itself a fiesta" for
eyes that never tire gazing. These win
dows are dangerously seductive . :! And
all these plastic sensations are broad
ened by first-hand personal contact with
countless humans; by conversations, in
which questions and answers make the
most interesting dialogues. A rich, spir-
itual interchange, because from this new
problems are brought to light or new
aspects on problems which we had be-
lieved we understood. Life, undoubted-
ly, is one never-ending lesson
The United States is working hard to
solidify its relations with South Ameri-
can countries 1t Is the predominant
occupation of the hour. From President
Roosevelt to the last citizen, this is the
unanimous and cordial idea, and the
intent is of like sincerity Present
world conditions may have initiated, per-
haps, this climax of interest. None
would dare, however, to doubt what
might be called its antiquity" This
matter of interchange is not new. 1t
was planned when the world was normal
by countless persons and institutions Of
both countries The results are well
known. And the experience has been
double; for this powerful and generous
country, and her younger sister repub-
lies of the southern continent.
Relations between the United States
and Chile have always been very cor
dial. No difficulty whatsoever has arisen.
fortunately, in this mutual understand
ing, now stretching back over a period
of years. Neither must any arise in the
future With the sole exception of anti
imperialist propaganda, fostered (devel-
oped) by the extreme leftist press, the
finest pro-United States sentiments are
felt throughout my country. The cam
paign of the extreme leftist press in
spired by purely political moves, is not
consonant with general Chilean opinion,
and, luckily, has only found small re-
ception or resonance in sectors or among
persons living beyond reality and who
cater first of all to their particular pas
sions, when not catering to their Utopian
ideas.
Chile cannot fail to know nor can
she forget the important collaboration
of the United States North American
capital has contributed and continues to
contribute to the great development of
two great Chilean industries-the nitrate
industry and the copper industry. Never
would we have succeeded in building up
our mining establishments to such mag
nitude as Chuquicamata, in the prov
ince of Antofagasta, or the El Teniente
mine. near Rancagua. two hours from
the Chilean capital. I am not acquaint-
ed with Chuquicamata, but on two diff
ferent occasions have made protracted
visits to El Teniente The undertaking
is overpowering in its magnitude, for
the organization of the labor, for the
social sense-of social justice-demon-
strated by its directors in relation to the
well-being of the workers. The collec-
tive homes in which the miners of FL
Teniente live are near models in their
genre. Solidly built, hygienic, they have
all the Improvements of modern hous-
ing-electric light, central heating,
shower baths. The neighboring clubs
and the movie halls contribute as well
to Frightening existence in an inclement
region, and on work that is hard going
bringing up from the depths of the earth
the hidden riches!
Hence my country is In need of the
loyal and effective collaboration of the
United States. She needs it; she seeks
! it. and she is soon to receive it. The
| truth must be told, unvarnished. The
only patriotic and beneficial course for
us is to strive for foreign investments
in Chile; stimulate them, give them the
necessary aid to the end that our prog
ress shall not be delayed by the eco
nonic crisis which is coming, which of
necessity will be world wide. In a few
| years, stimulated by necessity, Chile has
! been transformed into an industrial
country, producing sufficient for home
consumption. In a certain sense, 1t
might be able to live today without any
| dependence on the outside. But that is
not enough. Nature herself, much wiser
| than the Vaccinations and whims Of
man, has established, with their natural
| differences, obligatory interchanges!
| Without sufficient devices to import all
that which we hitherto received from
abroad, especially Europe, we have con-
solidated what our country and budding
| industries offered. To great extent
| English cashmere has been replaced by
native cashmere, and the time may come
when the first may disappear completely.
| We produce also every class of manu-
factured articles; viz, all that men or
women seek for their daily life, for
the street or home The slogan, Made
in Chile" now Is shown with pride in the
showcases of stores.
Our great problem is to produce more
each day, with the hope OF re-establish-
ing, through our increased exports, the
balance of payments, indispensable for