PROGRESSIVE CHILE

In the following presentation of Progressive Chile, no effort hasbeen made to elaborate, to give undue coloring to the picture, or tomagnify its defects. It is a record of impressions gained from personalobservations, of the life and customs of the people in one of the mostenlightened, progressive and interesting countries in South America.

To attempt to conceal from view, to obscure the unsightly spots andblemishes that mar the social structure and disfigure the body politic,or to unnecessarily expose the moral and social defects and infirmitiesof a people who possess so many admirable qualities, commendablecharacteristics and desirable accomplishments, would be unjust, unfair.

The truth is not always pleasant reading, and it may seem unkind towithhold the cup that patriotic pride demands. But let those who knowthe real life of Chile pass judgment, and if from long associationthey have not become so accustomed and inured to national, social andpolitical deficiencies as to regard them as established and correctprinciples, they will agree with one who regards the situation from anunprejudiced viewpoint.

R. E. M.