Evening star., 1949-01-30

Argentina has tremendous qua
which the world so sorely needs,
1t has the finest grazing lands and
most fertile soil in South America
very much like the rich prairie
lands of our own Midwest, and its
climate is perfect for agriculture
and stock raising. In normal times
1t exports more corn than any other
country in the world and stands
third among the worlds great wheat
exporting nations. Yet its agricul-
tural and industrial production is
falling every day.
Affairs Badly Handled
The nations economy is complete
ly controlled and dictated by the
government. Trade, exports and
imports are largely a government
monopoly. Farmers are compelled
to sell their produce to govern-
ment corporation at whatever price
the corporation decides to pay. In
turn the corporation sells or exports
at whatever price the market will
bear and pockets the difference.
Internal economic affairs are so
badly handled that most competent
observers in Argentina predict an
early and complete financial COL
lapse.
The Argentine people have been
stripped of practically all their
freedom as individuals and as a
group. Press and radio are domi-
mated and censored by the govern
ment. Officials of the present admin
istration themselves have bought
up or acquired a controlling interest
in the major portion of the coun-
try's newspapers. The Presidents
wife, young, vivacious and canny
Sonora Maria Eva Duarte de Peron
-popularly known as "Evita,' or
Little Eva"-today is one of Ar
sentina's principal publishers.
President Peron is the man who,
in 1943, led military revolt against
the duly elected, but discredited,
government of President Ramon
Castillo. As self-appointed War Min
lister, and later as Vice President,
he was the military dictator of the
country for three years, after which
he called elections in which he was
the successful candidate for the
presidency.
Peron's Popularity at Peak
Peron today is at the height of
his political popularity with the ma
ton as a whole, and if an election
were held tomorrow, the masses of
people would support him to a
man-and to q woman, for that
matter, now that his administration
has given the distah side the fran
chise. Contrariwise, because of the
economic disaster which looms sc
forbiddingly on the Argentine hor-
lion, every important manufacturer
businessman, banker, cattle raiser
wheat grower and, of course, every
member of the old aristocratic fam
lilies would vote against him.
In general, Sonora de Peron is not
as popular with the people as is hel
husband and the so-called upper
class have never been so bitter
against any public personality al
they are against her. Nevertheless
the control which she , and hel
friends exert over the chief news.
papers and propaganda agencies ir
Argentina is being used to enhance
her popularity, and her role as lady
bountiful to the poor and unfortu-
nate is calculated to depict her as q
warm, lovable personality. She ha,
assumed all the prerogatives Of q
duly elected ofncial and cabinet
member.
The devotion Of the descamisa-
dos-"the shirtless ones," the Perons
have dubbed laborers, farm workers
and domestics in general-to the
present regime Is easily explained
It has showered more favors, atten-
ton and material blessings on them
than any other half-dozen rulers in
their memory. Wages and social
benefits of every description have
been ladled out to them without
stint. But" as one Argentine In
dustrialist put it, 1t never occurs
to these people that business and in
dustry and they themselves are pay
ing for all the so-called benefits they
receive from the government. More
over" he added, "the time will come
when they will be paying through
the nose for them"
Piled Up Dollar Reserves
A docile, rubber-stamp Congress
has granted Peron the laws ano
powers necessary to make almost
UAiy 6OSC11AlC1lt O1OC1 VI ACS SO4dL2OL
possible. For more than two years
wages usually have been raised ane
hours shortened, sometimes dras.
tically, by the government without
any discussion Of the subject witt
employers, and without any attemp
to determine the minimum needs fol
the proper functioning Of busines!
and industry. No matter how arbi.
trary and unjust government wage
and hour measures might have
seemed, there was practically NJ
recourse against them in law. NJ
businessman, on the other hand
may raise his prices without govern.
ment consent. If he should attemp
to do so, or II he should question any
government order or regulation, h,
would run the danger of beint
forced to sell out or have his bust.
ness taken over bodily by the gov
ernment.
When the Peron regime took ovel
in 1943 1t had the world at its feet
The war was approaching its china,
and ARGENTINE nrod,,ctS wera at q