An unprecedented demonstration of joy was given by the Jews of the settlements and towns of Entry Bios Province yesterday when Moshe Sharett, Israel Foreign Minister, arrived there to visit the colonists. Hundreds of school children at Basavilbaso, a town of 8, 000 people, including Catholic children led by nuns, came to greet the Israeli Minister, who is a guest of President Juan Peron.
The provincial authorities declared a holiday in Basavilbaso, where 5, 000 Jews live, in honor of the Israeli leader. Jewish colonists on horsebacks came from as far away as 125 miles, wading through mud and waist-high flooded streams to pay their respects to the Foreign Minister. Non-Jewish peasants from the surrounding countryside rode into town to participate in the official welcome.
The members of the official party–consisting of Jewish and non-Jewish officials and civic leaders–which greeted the Minister were mounted on horses from whose sides hung blue-and-white Israeli flags and Argentine banners, or rode in cars similarly bedecked. A gaucho-style barbecue luncheon was given in Mr. Sharett’s honor. Twelve sheep and steers were slaughtered to feed the 2,000 guests.
SHARETT MOVED BY ADULATION AND HONORS SHOWERED UPON HIM
Mr. Sharett was visibly moved by the enthusiasm of the local population and by the honors showered on him. This was the most memorable day in the visit of the Foreign Minister who has received the adulation and honors of a national here from the day he set foot in Argentina.
The Minister arrived in Basavilbaso from Concepcion, 35 miles away, where the plane placed at the disposal of his party by President Peron landed. Because of the heavy rains which soaked the province for several days before his arrival, the airfield at Concepcion was flooded and muddy, and bulldozers and trucks began working at S. A. M. to clear the field so that the plane could land.
When he alighted from the plane, Mr. Sharett was greeted by the governor of Entré Rios Province and by Jewish leaders, as well as by a great number of Jews from the area. The governor and other officials accompanied him to Basavilbaso.
After his visit to Basavilbaso, Mr. Sharett returned to Concepcion in the evening and the city council met at 10 P. M. to hold a special session in his honor. The chairman of the council read a resolution of greeting. Mr. Sharett, who spoke on nine different occasions yesterday, replied in French, which was translated by an aide-de-camp. Later, standing on a balcony at City Hall, he spoke in Hebrew to a crowd which had gathered at that late hour to see him. His remarks were translated by a secretary from the Israeli Legation.
At both Concepcion and at Basavilbaso, Mr. Sharett was also honored at private receptions in the homes of local Jewish leaders. At. both he appealed to the Jews “not to get tired of helping Israel since Israel does not get tired of receiving immigrants.” At Basavilbaso, he told the colonists that “you here and the Jews of Israel have written a new page in the history of our people, turning to the soil and to manual labor.”
Mr. Sharett and his party flew back to Buenos Aires this morning. He is scheduled to see President Peron today and leave for Chile tomorrow. He will return here later this month just before leaving for Israel.
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