Evening star., 1942-04-04
Chile Stands Pat

strain which the course of the war is
putting on South America. Presi-
dent Juan Antonio Rios has just been
inaugurated. Two months ago he
was elected by substantial majority
in which the dominant issue was
foreign policy. Rios was the candi-
date of a liberal-radical coalition
known as the Democratic bloc. Some
of its slogans were Death to Ease
ism!" and Down With Hitler!" Senor
Rios announced early in the cam
paign that "the realities of the mo-
ment demand full cooperation with
the United States. No other course IS
possible for Chile" When the Dem
ocratic bloc won over an opposition
favoring strict neutrality on the Ar
gentine model and containing pro-
Axis SympathizerS, it was widely
prophesied that one of Rios first
presidential acts would be to sever
relations with the Axis powers.
However, the expected has not
happened. In his inaugural address,
President Rios promised that Chile
would faithfully carry out her duties
of continental solidarity" But he
also said that "the government will
cultivate cordial relations which are
maintained with all countries.
The Executive will adopt important
steps when they must be taken under
the unmistakable expression of the
national will"
The logical inference from these
remarks Is that the new admins
tration will interpret its duties of
continental solidarity" as conform
ing to the compromise resolution
adopted at the Rio Conference
whereby a break with the Axis was
left optional. That compromise was
rendered necessary by the resolute
opposition Of the Argentine govern
ment, supported by the stop-gap
government of Chile, which declined
to commit Chile to an anti-Axis
policy while the electoral campaign
was going on. Yet President Rios
seemingly is continuing the neutral
policy of his predecessor and stands
with Argentina. Indeed, this stand
was foreshadowed by the presence Of
the Argentine Foreign Minister, Ruiz
Guinazu, at the inaugural cere-
monies, and the prominent part he
played therein. Especially note
worthy was a speech which he made
before the Chilean Chamber Of
Deputies, extolling the solidarity of
the two nations. The tone of the
address was such that the Commu-
mist deputies, ardent foes of the Axis,
walked out in protest. incidentally,
the recent congressional elections in
Argentina showed that the voters
tended to favor the governments
neutral policy. And the evidence is
that a similar trend has taken place
in Chile during the past two months.
All this undoubtedly is a reflection
of the unfavorable course the war is
taking for the United Nations, eSpe-
cially in the Far East. Chile, facing
the Pacific with an undefended
coaStline of some 1000 miles, and
with a small army and navy, is pc
culiarly exposed to japanese repris-
ais. Furthermore, it is profting
richly by neutrality which has great
ly increased its foreign trade in
essential raw materials. However
regrettable it may be from our stand
point, it is understandable that many
Chileans shrink from risking foreign
complications and business losses by
breaking diplomatic and economic
relations with the Axis and taking an
unequivocal stand with the United
States. This does not mean that
Chilean public opinion is becoming
more pro-Axis. But it does indicate
a mood of growing apprehension
which translates itself into a cau-
tious and n-committal foreign