Evening star., 1942-12-15
Chile Break With Axis
Seen More Probable
As Talks Here Loom
Sentiment at Santiago
Held to Be Veering
From Neutral Course
Bv HAROLD ROGERS.

Prospects of an imminent
break with the Axis by Chile
grew brighter today as plans
went forward for conversations
between high Chilean and
American officials at the State
Department within the next day
or so.
While no official statements were
forthcoming, it was apparent from
indications both here and at Santi-
ago, Chilean capital. that sentiment
in the South American republic was
making rapid strides away from its
previous neutral policy toward more
active co-operation with the democ-
racies.
The question as to when Chile will
sever relations with Germany, Italy
and Japan was still unanswered. But
there were definite straWs in the
wind to show that Chile is planning
much closer cooperation with the
United States and the United Ma
tions.
Heading the delegation Of Chile
ans which has gathered here from
several points in North and South
America, is Paul Morales Beltranl,
Chilean Minister of the Interior,
who is the ranking cabinet officer In
the official family Of President Juan
Antonio Rios.
Representative Of Rios.
He is known to have come here
not only as the official representa-
tive of President Rios, but as a per-
sonal friend, to speak for the Chill
can chief of state Although anoth-
er official. the Foreign Minister
JOAQUIN Fernandez. holds the port
folio of secretary of state IN charge
of foreign affairs at Santiago. he Is
outranked by the Minister OF the
Interior. who can be intrusted un-
der Chilean law, with any authority
delegated to him by the chief OF
state
There is no indication here that
the Foreign Minister was passed
over because of any lack Of ability
or "lukewarmness" toward the
United States
The situation is merely that the
Minister of Interior is top ranking
cabinet officer. Senor Fernandez
soft-spoken, cultured but firm, Is
man with a brilliant record OF serv-
ice to his country at home ano
abroad. His friendly sentiments
toward the United States, it is said
account in part for the belief that
his appointment will have a far
reaching significance in Chilean
foreign policy.
Reviewed Demonstration.
Senor Fernandez stood with Pres
ident Rios. and Minister Of the In
terror Morales at the presidential
palace in Santiago November te
review a pro democratic demonstra.
ton. said to be the biggest public
demonstration ever staged in the
Chilean capital.
The Chilean group Of high Off
Gals who have been holding pre-.
liminary conferences here during
the past few days include, besides
the Minister of the Interior and the
| Chilean Ambassador to Washington
Rodolfo Michels, important Chilean
diplomatic representatives to three
ether American countries. They arr
Oscar Schnake, Ambassador t.
Mexico; Emelio Edwards Bello, Am.
bassador to Colombia, and DR.. Edu
ardo Grove, Minister to Canada.
Elements Swing Over.
Many elements in Chile which
formerly opposed breaking with th'
Axis have recently been swingint
over to the side of the democracies
it was learned.
The Chilean Gazette, a MONTH!
bulletin published in the United
States under authority of thu
Chilean Government goes so fal
in its current issue just out. as II
say in a headline over a statemen
by President Rios: Chile About t,
Split with Axis" The Gazette
carefully edited. and previouSl,