Evening star., 1951-04-08

agencies that control production
and supplies, the heads of which
know little or nothing about the
problems and difficulties that
confront our neighbors.
This was dramatically revealed
in one of the few open committee
meetings of the entire conference.
1t should be pointed out that un-
like most of these hemisphere
gatherings, the committee meet
ings were closed to correspond
ents, as well as the general pub
lie. Newspapermen were depend
ent upon briefings from officials
of the conference and the per-
sonal comments of various dele
gates for information about what
went on. The one notable excep-
ton was the meeting of the Eco
nomic Committee called to hear
Defense Mobilizer Charles E. Will
son in what high State Depart
ment officials said was to be a
mere report on the purpose and
extent of our defense mobilization
program here at home.
Wilson Closely Questioned
In the course of his recital Of
the facts and figures pertaining to
the building up of our production
potential for the manufacture Of
defense materials-planes, tanks,
guns and other equipment-Mr.
Wilson said that it would be 1853,
or at least not earlier than late
1852; before the output of these
products would be sufficient to
give much attention to produc-
ton of any but the most essential
civilian goods for our own people
and our neighbors.
Apparently the defense mobiliD-
er had not expected to be ques-
toned by the delegates. To his
surprise and perhaps amazement
they subjected him to a spirited
cross-examination. They shot
specific questions at him about
the possibility of getting more
production machinery. more
transportation equipment neces-
sary to turn out and transport
raw materials required by US and
needed by their own people.
Several of them described the
Ipitiful conditions that prevail
among the various populations,
the poverty of the masses in rural
and remote areas. They bluntly
told how imitation, shortages Of
machinery and equipment needed
for turning out more basic foods,
as well as raw materials for ex-
port, would play into the hands
of the Communist propagandists.
The Haitian delegate reminded
that communism fattens on the
misery of millions of people
throughout many of our nations"
Concessions Made
One State Department official
was heard to remark that this was
perhaps one of the most impor-
tant developments of the confer
ence. 1t served to bring home
to those who have been thinking
entirely in terms of our own in
ternal emergency problems and
the colossal economic aid we have
been giving to Europe and Asia.
something of the SERIOUSNESS of
the situation that prevails in many
of the countries here in the Amer
lean world. "It has been next to
impossible" this official said, ito
get other Government depart
ments to appreciate the pressures
that these countries put on our
diplomats and officials"
In spite of their diSappoinU-
the Latins did receive
concessions from us,
no doubt as many as it was pos
sible for us to grant under the
circumstances. We agreed first to
take care of their essential
needs" for manufactures and ma
chinery, or at least as many as
can be supplied within the limita-
tions imposed by our own en-
military program.
They had been particularly
worried about our slapping down
serious price controls on their
products in this country as well
as on United States products
which they must buy from us,
prior consultation with
The country or countries con-
cerned. This they maintained,
had already happened in the case
of coffee, which affected the chief
export, as the chief source of rev.
snue, of Brazil, Colombia, Guate-
nala. Costa Rica and several
others. But it was finally agreed
hat we would consult with them
and they with us both before and
after any steps are taken affect
ng prices of products allocations
or priorities of materials sold by
one country to another.
We also agreed to enter into
ong-term contracts for raw ma
'erials and various products which
hey produce and which we must
nave, contracts some of which
would extend well beyond 1853
when, according to Mr.. Wilson,
our output will be sufficient to
AXE care of their plans for new
Industrial and manufacturing en-
'erprises. We have undertaken to
assure them that we will provide
hem with machinery and equip
nent to improve essential trans
oortation and to help extend
,ower facilities necessary to take
ARE of present requirements,
lgain, of course, within the limi-
ations of the defense emergency.
Most important of all, every
me had a chance to sound off,
ell his grievances to the Yankees.
rhe inter-American diplomatic
'acuum was relieved of a good
leal of pressure, and that is one
# the chief virtues of these fire.
Iuent hemisphere gatherings.
The cause of democracy in the
has been served. in that
leighbors met around a table,
|nhotnd opd oro1lod hoo torJ1v ht1t