Evening star., 1942-03-17
By HAROLD b. ROGERS.

That gay celebration Of four days
and nights, known as Carnival in
South America, presented strange
contrasts recently because Of various
war conditions in three different
countries.
Carnival pronounced usually with
accent on the final syllable) is a
sight to behold and fascinating
display of human emotions, well
worth study by psychologists.
Champions of the Carnival say 1t is
a great unifier of the rank and file.
In Buenos Aires, Argentina, which
has refused to break relations with
the Axis, preparations were well
under way for big celebration when
I was there. Huge fantastic figures
of clowns and other Pigments of
the artists imagination had been
installed in the middle of the prin-
cipal street, Avenida de Mayo. The
shops were full of gay-colored cos
TUNES, with the color red predomi-
nant. There were horns, tinsel, con-
fetti and streamerS.
In a small store where stopped
to buy Photographic film, girl
clerk eyed me and pretended not
to know English. With halti2g
Spanish, I finally made her under
stand what I wanted. Then she
broke into perfect English herself,
with sly smile.
Argentinians Are Independent.
st Just wanted to make you talk
Spanish" she said. I'VE don't want
any war here in this country. We
just want to be happy. Can't you
see that? We just want to be
happy" She archly flashed SPAR
king smile from dark eyes.
BY that she epitomized the spirit
of the Argentinians. who don't want
to get into the war-not yet at
least. Neither do they like to have
any one else tell them what to do
or not to do. The Argentinians are
an independent people. She no
doubt knew all about the recent Rio
de Janeiro conference of foreign
ministers, where Argentina and
Chile refused to follow the example
of the other Latin republics in
breaking with the Axis.
Rio was closer to the carnival
spirit. It's principal street, Avenida
Rio Branco, also was profusely deco
rated with gay and glittering orna-
ments mostly in the shape of
gigantic fans, fastened to lamp
posts. When I first arrived the
people were moving about in orderly
crowds, but without costume.
One impressive thing to a North
American about the buses in Rio is
the politeness of the passengers.
Regulations allow eight people only
to stand in bus. At bus stops, the
waiting passengers. instead of
crowding, were quietly lined up in
queues, which sometimes stretched
half block long. A bus loaded up
to eight standing, the line moved
quietly forward and waited for the
next bus.
Many Dressed Like Indians.
While waiting in Rio for my plane
reservation north, I saw and felt
the beginning of the four-day car
nival. Men and children were the
| first to appear on the streets,
dressed in curious costumes. Many
girls dressed like boys, and boys
dressed like girls-a universal habit
at costume parties. The celebraticx
opened with pageant, headed py
the king of the carnival ard his cos
TUNED attendant, followed by bands
and a curious assortment of varied
kinds of organized groups.
The more grotesque costumes
showed up first, and the pranks
they played were enjoyed by the
crowds along the avenues.
Later on came crowds of singing,
celebrating youngsters. Many cars
carried impromptu bands and Or
chestras. Music was everywhere. A
loudSpeaker system with outlets
along the entire Avenida Rio Branco
kept up singing and announcements.
Automobiles increased in number
carrying costllmed young women.
Always few of them sat on the
back of open-top cars, and usually
the running boards were ful] of
swaying, singing youngsters. Red,
black and gold costumes were every
where, many modelled after the cos
tune Of natives around Bahia, a type