Evening star., 1943-01-07
Chile on the VERGE

VII
Everything seems to indicate that
Chile Is about to abandon It's policy
OF neutrality and get In step with
the great majority Of It's Latin Amer
lean colleagues. The anticipated
move presumably will follow close on
the return Of Interior Minister Mo-
rales Beltrami's diplomatic tour of
investigation which took him to
Washington, Rio de Janeiro and
Buenos Aires. At each of these key
capitals he conferred at length with
the chief executives and diplomatic
leaders, his journey consuming
nearly two months in a leave of
absence specifically granted him by
the Chilean Congress.
AS soon as Minister Morales
stepped of the plane at Santiago,
the Chilean capital, he was rushed
to an audience with President Juan
Antonio Rios, and that same evening
the President conferred at length
with his cabinet. Thus far, no off,
cial statement has been issued by the
Chilean government, though one is
expected shortly.
In contrast with Chilean tacitur-
nifty, predictions Of drastic action are
coming from most unexpected
quarter. An Associated Press dis
patch from Buenos Aires cites "a
high Foreign Offlce source" as say
ing the Argentine government had
been informed that Chile would
break relations with the Axis in the
very near future. The Argentine
Foreign Office should be we'll
informed on the subject, because
Minister Morales last stop on his
homeWard journey was at Buenos
Aires, where he conferred at length
with Argentine President Castillo
and Foreign Minister Guinazu.
Those conferences can hardly have
been agreeable to the Argentine
statesmen, and it was noticeable
that whereas Guinazu was at the
airport to greet Morales, he did not
appear there on his departure.
These developments underscore
the basic difference that has always
subslSted between the foreign poll
cies of Chile and Argentina regard
ing the world war. The fact that
both countries have thus far main
tanned neutrality and thereby kept
diplomatic relations with the Axis
powers should not obscure the di-
vergent attitudes which lie behind
that superficial Identity Of action.
Argentine neutrality has been a car
dinal point in the platform Of the
Castillo regime. vigorously defended
against both domestic opposition and
foreign criticism. Chilean neutral
1ty has been more matter of expe-
diency, motivated by temporary
circumstances and not defended by
the government on principle. At no
time has the Chilean government
declared its solidarity with Argen-
tina on this controversial issue,
despite obvious Argentine efforts to
that end. 1t should likewise be
remembered that President Rios was
elected on a platform favoring the
United Nations and unfavorable to
the Axis. Chile has thus retained
complete liberty of action, and
Argentina can find no justifiable
protest If its neighbor across the
Andes changes its attitude towards
the war.
That, however, will not lessen the
embarrassing isolation in which
Argentina would find itself as the
sole remaining nation In Latin
America which maintains diplomatic
relations with the Axis. The Argen-
tine brand Of neutrality is costing
the country more than the moral
disapproval Of the United Nations
and many Of its Latin American
neighbors. Argentina is losing Ger
tain precious fruits Of Pan-Ameri-
can cooperation in the economic
field, and may be 1eopardizing ono
OF its best foreign markets. Britain
is the largest purchaser Of Argen-
tine meat, taking nearly 100000
tons per year. Last years contract
legally expired in September but
was Professionally extended to the
end Of the calendar year. About that
time came London's fortnight state
ment "deploring" Argentinas con-
tinued relations with "the enemies
OF humanity" and the contract has
not been renewed. It will be inter-
esting to see how the Castillo regime
will face combined isolation, criti-
cism and indirect pressure growing
on every side.
Those gay, peasantlike head
| scarves the girls are wea ring NAV or