Evening star., 1941-02-21
By MANUEL VEGA,
Literary Editor OF El Diario Ilustrado,
SantiaEo, Chile.

Literary EGltOr OF FL DldTlO 1lustIduOt
Santiago, Chile.
American curiosity regarding coun-
tries and cities of the southern con.
tinent is really something to kindle
the flame OF our national pride.
Whats Santiago like?"
How big?"
Anything like Washington"
what does it feel like to live
down there and what's going on?'
Santiago and Washington, of course
have much in common. This comes
about perhaps by the prevalent feel
ing Of good nature among the in
habitants of both cities. Neverthe-
less there is a difference and an
important one: The Chilean capi-
tai was founded February II, 154l;
that of the United States around
1890. We must confess that time
has run it's course with greater speed
in this beautiful and attractive city
in which we find ourselves not
visitors but guests.
Pedro de Valdivia was the founder
of Santiago. He was captain, born
in Estramadura SPAIN. On his
arrival at the valley of the Rio
Mapocho-the small river dividing
the city-he was 80 years old
Valdivia chose that valley in accord
with the prudent orders issued by
Charles V in 1923. for the founding
of cities in the Indies. 1t was the
Emperor's wish that the site Sc
lected by the conquiStadores for
the capital of the new realms and
provinces should be raised (up)
sanitary and strong, hdUing con-
Sideration for shelter and, il it
be possible, there should be no
sea at high noon or SundoUn."
He was desirouS also that inland
tracts might be left free, and by
our disposition without injury to
the Indians and natives, or with
their free consenD may be settled
upon. =" 1t could be said that
the archaic Castillian-the rich and
captivating prose in which these
instructions are couched-serVeS to
enhance the nobility of the senti-
ments and the far-seeing ideas Of
Charles V.
Little Of Spanish Influence Now.
Since then, 400 years have elapsed.
This has been period of abundant
change; from the hut of thatch
to the edifice of reinforced concrete.
The old buildings of Santiago re-
tain little of Spanish influence, as
one finds today in the streets of
Lima or Bogota We have no Co.
lonial windows with their wooden
gingerbread-no mysterious screen
to hide the face of some beWitching
damsel. Chile's capital is modern
city with some pretty good-sized
last year; the Hotel Carrera with
its Is floors located on Moneda
Plaza, next to the Treasury and
a step or two from the government
palace.
This palace, occupying a block,
is genuine Spanish edifiCe,
planned and constructed by Toesca.
The respective plans came from
Spain. Though destined to Mexico.
they landed. through error, in Chile
1t was lucky break for us!
Neither are there any deep traces
in the social life of Chile surviving
from Spain. Particularly, in femin-
inc customs is this true. The evolu-
ton here has been great and rapid.
Fifteen years ago the Chilean wom-
an lived the secluded life of the
home girl" She took no part in
any Of the national affairs and
she had no liberty. This has
changed completely in the last few
years. Today in Chile the woman
works on the same footing as the
man, in public and private offices,
and, at times II am only giving the
Chilean woman her due, better
than many men.
There are those who attribute
these changes to the influence of
North American customs, differing