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Show Aleman Proves A 'Good Neighbor Mexican President's Visit Boosts Friendly Relations By BAUKHAGE Newi Analyst and Commentator. Little news was brought out beyond be-yond what Aleman had said to congress con-gress or what was in the joint statement state-ment concerning loans for Mexican industrial and agricultural development. develop-ment. But there was one, last question: "What impressed you most on your visit, Mr President?" "Arlington and Mount Vernon," Ver-non," he replied, "The enduring lessons of George Washington, the great father of vour coun- WNU Service, 1616 Eye Street, N. W., Washington, D. C. WASHINGTON. -Despite the fact that relations between the United States and some of our sister republics repub-lics to the south have degenerated considerably since the inventor of the "good neighbor" policy died that's not the case with Mexico. You would realize that if you had seen the all-time high In demonstrations demonstra-tions that took place when Pres. Miguel Aleman visited Washington. The first meeting and greeting on Constitution avenue had the inspira- try, must be constantly taught and rehearsed In your country." And so the Truman gesture at Chapultepec was reciprocated. Mexico Embarking On Six-Year Plan Mexico still has some credit previously pre-viously approved by the Export-Infport Export-Infport bank which she hasn't used. She has borrowed 68 millions largely large-ly used for highway construction, transportation and Industry; she has repaid 13 millions; still has 30 millions in the bank. tion of local pep-campaign pep-campaign but there was no out-s out-s i d e stimulant injected into what was a really rip - roaring roar-ing response to tbe lanky and smiling Latin when he visited congress on May Day. More than a few of his hearers hear-ers could follow him in the Span- $'i & Tlf I $ nlHMasr More will be needed to carry out Aleman's six-year plan, which includes in-cludes increased irrigation and power facilities two TVA's will be constructed, Mexican style. Mexico is an agricultural country without too much arable soil; she needs to raise more to feed herself properly. To do this will require six times as many Irrigated acres as at present. The joint statement also indicated that the two presidents were working work-ing out an arrangement to stabilize exchange which would permit Mexico Mex-ico to buy American dollars when she needs them to buy American goods and sell them back when she ish-and every- BAUKHAGE body could match up his liquid phrases with the translation they held in their laps. The speech was short and snappy. When he was through, senators, representatives and the packed galleries gal-leries couldn't stop applauding even after el Presidente had disappeared. disap-peared. Applause burst out again and again for almost everybody as they passed up the aisle. Senator Vandenberg, who usually is associated asso-ciated with foreign relations of another an-other sort, got a generous share along with the cabinet members and diplomatic corps. From the rostrum of the house of representatives, Aleman said that "nearly 300 million people living side by side in this hemisphere are concerned not only with assistance to ward off foreign aggression, but also with the efforts to overcome the dangers of poverty and despair In the difficult years of peace." A little bit earlier that day a joint statement had been issued, signed by both President Truman and President Aleman, stating that agreements had been reached for the U. S. to grant credits to Mexico credits to make the greatest and earliest contribution to the economic eco-nomic development of the land below be-low the Rio Grande. The two chief executives agreed that their respective respec-tive administrations must exert every effort to raise the standards of living in their countries, increasing increas-ing productivity and, consequently, purchasing power. Confusion Prevails At Newt Conference We newsmen had our own "hasta . la vista" later that afternoon in Blair-Lee house, a part of the twin residences turned over to visiting dignitaries for a press and radio conference which came near being chiefly a photographic contest. It was a struggle, unseemly indeed, in that somewhat precieuse setting of antique furniture, pale green walls, wide mirrors and not very 'GOOD NEIGHBOR' Warns Aggressors can spare them. In wartime, when she was selling us more than she was buying, she built up a supply of dollars. But now she's buying more from us than she's selling to us. By allowing her to buy dollars at the rate of five pesos to the dollar, Mexico's money will be kept stable - otherwise individuals might start bidding up the dollar, which would decrease the value of the peso. What did It add up to? Good sense between good neighbors who want to continue to be good customers. Mexico is farther to the left politically than we are, but it is by no means one hundred hun-dred per cent socialist. As for Aleman's political philoso-i philoso-i phy, it was plain what he thought about the one - party totalitarian states when he said before congress: con-gress: "Civilization wanes when the j state curtails individual freedom. ... to impose its will or that of a political party on its citizens." It appears that Aleman's brand , of democracy is near enough to I our to make him the good neighbor neigh-bor we Washingtonians who met him think he is. large early American rooms. Not large enough anyway for the mob which surged about between the little bar. the battery of cameras cam-eras and the doorway into the garden gar-den through which el Presidente was to appear. Dogwood in the garden gar-den looked over the brick wall, somewhat startled at the noisy gathering. At last the tall smiling figure, flanked by secret service men, appeared. He sat at a table. The newsmen crowded around him, completely cutting off the cameras. The newswoinen's fluge hats completely screened the klieg lights. A controversy of no little heat ensued and no little heat exuded from the high candle-power bulbs and the normal nor-mal radiation of a hundred or so energetic human beings. Finally the newsmen were pushed back and the cameras set to work. Some of the reporters were pushed clear out of range and I saw one helpless, hapless gentleman wedged tightly between the bar and the backs of three husky Mexican pressmen. The poor fellow's right hand was pinioned so note-taking was impossible. Only his left arm was free, and that was deep in the middle of a nest of scotch-and-sodas. What else could he do about it? (Salud y pesetos!) The photographing continued. The photographers in front wouldn't stop. The newsmen cried, "Enough!" One reporter, reversing the ancient proverb sighed. "One word is worth a thousand pictures." The photographer yielded. "Do they do this in Mexico?" asked an American reporter, archly. "They do this in Mexico." answered an-swered a Mexican reporter, in perfect per-fect English, white teeth gleaming. |