Helping Hand

THE AMERICAS Helping Hand

Chile rates ace-high with the U.S. President Gabriel Gonzalez Videla's democratic regime appeals to the State Department because it seeks political stability. Its well-conceived, well-prepared blueprints for national resources development make sense to U.S. lending agencies and Point Four planners. Result: since the war the U.S. has lent Chile a total of $86.7 million.

Last week Chile got fresh help from the U.S.: a $25 million Export-Import Bank credit. It would tide the Chileans over the slump in copper prices that knocked a hole in the government's expected revenues for 1949. Moreover, by making money available to pay for U.S. heavy equipment and materials, it would enable Gonzalez to go forward with his program of economic development.

As a further sign of high U.S. regard for Chile, Assistant Secretary of State Edward G. Miller Jr. was under orders to go to Santiago soon and extend President Truman's invitation to Gabriel Gonzalez to visit Washington next year.

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