Evening star., 1941-03-09

fMr. vega, guest menOer OF Ihe
Star staff for tlDo months, is one OF
seUen Chilean ne1DSpapermen Uho
haze been assigned temporarily to
American netDSpaperSJ
The press of the United States con-
stantly publishes news items and articles
on the German influence in Chile. Un-
fortunately, these are not moderate in
tone, no" objective in point, and are
aimed, ordinarily, to cause alarm and
undermine confidence. They are sue
cessful at times in achieving both.
Political propaganda, taking its cue
from the theological struggle the present
war has taken, is the main culprit in
these misunderstanding A question is
thought up, having no foundation in
fact, or, as in most cases, it is presented
with exaggerated high-lighting, includ-
ing untruthS. German influence in
Chile hasn't, isn't, won't be any prob
lem at all for the reasons I shall try to
explain below.
Now if there is such a problem in my
country, it must exist jointly in all such
sections occupied by Germans or de-
scendants of Germans. The character
of the old race-uniform in its history,
obstinate in its designs constant in its
sentiments are the marks by which we
know them
Emigrant Agent Brought Germans.
In Chile. there is a German popula-
ton which is numerically insignificant
if compared to the total native popula-
ton. Statistics show that 10000 Ger
mans live in my country-not per cent
of the total inhabitants-5 900, 900, more
or less, according to the last census. It
is fact that the German colony is
second in Importance and numbers in
the republic. The Spaniards have the
highest quota, 100000 After the Ger
mans come the italians, English, French
and North Americans. In the Chilean
capital, for example, there are scarcely
200 United States citizens at present.
Historically speaking, the German
colony IS undoubtedly the Oldest The
first colonists of that nationality arrived
IN Chile during the past century, around
1848, more than 90 years ago. A special
government agent contracted for these
colonistS ir Europe to come over and
establish themselves in Southern Chile.
There they came and there they stayed.
Chilean national literature preserves.
with full titles, the name of the agents:
Vicente Perez Rosales, the first writer
OF real literary worth to appear in Chile
with an artistic sense and a fine feeling
for nature. whose imagery he has cap
tured and has passed along in two
charming books. His "Remembrances
Of the Past" might be called one of the
few Chilean classics; his Essay on
Chile" was destined to awaken in those
years European interest in the rising
and distant republic.
Cocktail of Races"
century had passed. 1t cannot be
ignored now that the progress of impor-
tant southern cities, such as Osorno and
Valdivia, is due greatly to the spirit of
fortitude, discipline, initiative and grit
of the men who were the true founders
of the first families of German stock,
and their descendants have continued on
there. One finds still under their con-
troll some industries and important agri-
cultural property. The sons and grand
children of these first colonists have
been incorporated into the political and
social life of Chile Many have married
ladies of the country, and the descend
ants of this cocktail of races" Gn the
words of Carlos Silva Vildosola, the most
brilliant newspaperman Chile has had)
produces magnificent human specimens.
Racial characteristics are fused and they
complement each other perfectly.
Sons of Germans, now sons of Chile,
are among those on town and municipal
councils; still others have been members
of the Chamber of Deputies and the
Senate. They are, it can be said, rep
resentative men, who during the repub-