Evening star., 1949-03-10
The Chilean Elections

The outcome of the congressional elec-
tions in Chile is noteworthy. And IN
contrast to some other recent events In
Latin America, it is encouraging. The
four-party bloc which supports the gov
ernment headed by President Gabriel
Gonzalez Videla won working majoritieS
in both the Chamber, or Lower House, and
the Senate, thus assuring continuance of
policies that have been generally regarded
bv qualified observers as constructive and
wise.
President Videla'S program can be de-
scribed as middle way" between the
extremes of radicalism and reaction. The
congressional groups that support him are
all slightly left-of-center, pledged to eco
nomic and social reforms which aim at
solving Chile's pressing internal problems,
yet uncompromisingly opposed to Com
munism. The extent of Communist in
filtration among the working classes had
produced dangerous situation with which
President Videla vigorously grappled last
autumn, when he got Congress to outlaw
the Communist Party and jailed the Red
labor leaders who had come to dominate
some of the most important unions. The
outcome of the elections indicates that
those drastic measures are approved not
only by public opinion in general but also
by large section of the workers them
selves This is shown by the sharp decline
in the ultraradical vote. Even in the
industrial districts, former Communist
strongholds, camouhaged Communist can
didates running under thinly disguised
electoral labels Jared so badly at the hands
of the voters that not single one was
elected In the next Congress, the extreme
left will be a tiny minority.
Victory at the polls clears the way for
to transform Chile's economic life. Chile's
basic difficulties are rooted in its geog-
raphy This extraordinarily shaped coun-
try, aptly compared to string bean, is
narrow strip of territory between the
towering Andes Mountains and the Pacific
Ocean, stretching from the subtropics to
sub-Antarctic Cape Horn. Its northern
segment where lies most of its mineral
wealth, is dusty desert. Its southern seq
ment, though covered with dense forest
suitable for lumber and pulpwood, is too
cold and wet for agriculture. Only in
few central valleys is there fertile land,
and much of that has to be irrigated. This
means that Chile must import a consider
able part of it's food, while its exports are
mostly copper and nitrates whose prices
vary greatly on the world market. Chile
is thus exposed to the danger of acute
depressions. In order to stabilize its un-
balanced economy, vast capital invest
ments are needed, both to modernize its
industry and to install vital public works
ranging from hydroelectric plants to ir-
rigation dams and harbor installations.
Although Chile has recently obtained
sizable loans from both our Export-Import
Bank and the World Bank, the larger part
of its far-reaching reconstruction program
will have to be financed by private capital,
which must come from abroad, chiefly
from the United States. But such foreign
capital will not flow in unless assured of
fair treatment under conditions of political
stability. The elections 60 far to assure
the latter, while President Videla has
worked out a policy of fairness to the
foreign investor.
A stable, prosperous Chile would be
a helpful factor in the entire South
American picture elsewhere beclouded
by extremist tendencies toward either
communistic radicalism or militaristic
reaction. The success of its present
government is therefore to be desired.