The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1944-02-01
Observations
Americans of Two
Continents Still
Vastly Different
BY Helen Esssry

since those Cndl yes Dy senator
Hugh \. Butler (RD OF Nebraska OF
silly United States spending in
South America first began TO eN-
plode above and below the Rio
Grande with the soothing qualities
OF giant firecrackers. even the
most conservative New Dealers are
beginning TO wonder five North
Americans have ever begun to un.
derstand the South Americans.
In our dimpled North American
way we have assumed that because
all Of us assorted peoples happened
70 live in the same hemisphere we
must naturally be blood brothers
temperamentaHy and Characters
tically. | honestly don't believe It
has occurred to US big-hearted Van
KEGS. WHO thought up that Good
Neighbor policy and trimmed IL
with concessions and cash hand
outs, that the Latins would not auto
matically love us ever thereafter.
A blase State Department chief
told me yesterday that we can new
err hope to understand the Latin
American psychology until We real
lie that i is predominantly Span
ish.
Spain settled South America. She
implanted her character. her tradi-
tions. her religion and her code OF
ethics on the people there. And
there they have stayed regardless
OF Uncle Sans birthday party ways.
This diplomat admitted that he
sometimes believed We should sub
stitute Little Boy Blue for Uncle
Sam is national figure head. (Say
over your nursery rhymes. you will
see what he meant.
The Spaniard is first OF all.
"Conquistador." my friend said He
Is a conqueror. He takes what he
wants by one system or another.
II he can't get what he wants by
pretty means. he tries other meth
DDS and never feels II necessary to
apologize for the devious route.
More. he does not even know the
route is devious. To him. the result
has always been more important
than the method.
Maybe my State Department in
formant Is right. Certainly. some
thing is wrong with our attitude
toward South America. And YOU
cannot blame all of IL on the war.
An eminent South American. Gen.
Isaih Medina Angarita president
Medina OF Republic OF Venezuela
10 you and mel told how he and
his countrymen love the United
states at a press conference at
Blair House. that neW-old govern.
ment guest house opposite the
White House.
President Medina vas nicely done
IN blue-gray suit with a repeating
color note in his blue.gray tie. He
wore his Good Neieghborliness on
his sleeve, a bright smile on his
broad face, and smart interpreter
at his elbow. His manner was guile
less. II you had not known better
you would have believed him when
he said he had not come to Wash
ington TO discuss any matters OF
business or international relations.
His only reason for being here was
that he thought it time to make a
spiritual tour" He said ne also
wanted 10 know President Roose-
welt better.
President Medina sat before a
microphone. Behind him in am.
bush were the dark-eyed members
OF his encourage. And over in the
corner some OF Nelson Rockefel-
ler's young men were making disc
recordings OF the interview.
OF course, we talked about the
unity and solidarity Of the Amer
icas.' President Medina was care.
full. however. to speak only for
Venezuela" when hard questions
came his way. Several did come his
way. That one about trading with
the Soviet Union. for example HIS
eIcellency said Venezuela at least
had no plans for establishing such
trade.
President Medina explained a lit
tie laboriously, that Venezuela
wanted from the powerful re-
sources OF the United States only
that which would be helpful to
Venezuela in developing her great
agricultural industries.
At this point a very good Eng
lish speaking aide leaned over and.
whispered something to the general
The interpreter listened nolitely.
OF course. Then said quickly:
president Medina says Venezue.
Ia wants only that which she can
buy and pay for
Nice words-"buy and pay for"