SIDE LIGHTS ON CHILE

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21808, 13 June 1936, Page 5

SIDE LIGHTS ON CHILE

LIFE IN SANTIAGO ‘‘l made a real discovery during my visit to Chile. I found a place, the city of Santiago, where it apparently never blows, for, during my five weeks’ sojourn there, there was not a breath of wind,” remarked Mr Robert A. Campbell to a representative of “The Press." Mr Campbell added that the altitude being high, the climate was cool and bracing, despite the absence of wind. The war clouds in Europe and Asia did not seem to worry the carefree citizens of Santiago and other Chilean cities, continued Mr Campbell. There was no fear of war in Chile. The Chileans were wrapped up in their own domestic affairs and occasional revolutions—mostly bloodless—and apparently rested secure from international complications by their implicit faith in the effectiveness of the Pan-American pact. By the same token. United States influence and United States capital predominated in Chile, although British investments also bulked largely. The people of Chile were, said Mr Campbell, great racing enthusiasts. Races were held every Sunday, The racing was good and the meetings very well conducted. Santiago was credited with having one of the largest and best appointed tracks in the world. On it were three huge three-storey grandstands, two of them provided with elevators. The prices of admission ranged from lOd to 2s 6d, and totalisator tickets were issued for lOd and Is Bd, according to the “wealth” of patrons. All Santiago went to the races, the only poor feature being the very primitive totalisator. Chile has, he said, some very large industrial concerns, including the largest copper mine but one in the world. This was situated 8000 feet above sea level, and, at the time of his visit, it was producing 15,000 tons of ore a day and working under restricted production.