Salve!

Whatever their politics, few Americans would dispute that, as an ambassador of good will, the plain man from Missouri has had few equals. Last week, unassuming Harry Truman was at his best in Brazil.

As the Independence circled Rio de Janeiro's mountain-rimmed harbor, Harry Truman looked down on a city seething with excitement. Streets were bright with welcoming banners. Everywhere there were huge posters of Truman. A special Truman stamp had been printed for the occasion. For days, every band in town had been practicing the Missouri Waltz (which Truman has grown to hate as Franklin D. Roosevelt grew to hate Home on the Range).

Paper Blizzards. After landing at Galeao airport, the presidential party was taken across the bay in a Brazilian naval launch. At the Touring Club dock, Harry Truman hopped out briskly, strode up the red-carpeted gangplank to greet Brazil's President Eurico Caspar Dutra and his wife "Dona Santinha." Sitting side by side, the two Presidents drove for six miles along the flag-lined streets between long lines of Brazilian soldiery. Cheering crowds lined every inch of the way. Blizzards of paper fell from the taller buildings. Standing up in the car, Harry Truman waved amiably to yells of "Salve!"

Next day he was up early to drive the 45 miles through Rio's encircling mountains to Petropolis, where the delegates to the Inter-American Defense Conference awaited him. Truman's speech was roundly applauded. He made emphatic what Secretary of State Marshall had already indicated, that Latin American economic needs must wait on those of Europe. In fact, Truman told the delegates, he hoped that the American nations, "each according to its ability and in its own manner," would contribute something themselves.

Then he left hurriedly for the trip back to Rio and the Missouri, where he was scheduled to receive 500 delegates and Brazilian notables for luncheon. In the harbor, the fog had closed down and a cold wind was blowing. Many of Brazil's gayest hats were bedraggled by the time the guests managed to jump from bobbing launches to the Missouri's gangway. Brazilians visibly regretted the lack of wine, but consoled themselves with huge amounts of American coffee.

Fog & Orchids. While the Missouri's balky loudspeaker system alternately shrilled and roared, Brazil's Foreign Minister Raul Fernandes told Truman: "You moved the soul of Brazil, and the welcome you received represents the position you have won in the hearts of our people."

The next two days were heavy with fog and rain. The Trumans passed them in relative quiet. With White House Physician Wallace Graham, an orchid fancier, the President clambered 1,000 feet up precipitous Corcovado Mountain behind the American Embassy. They found six orchid plants, one in bloom. Mrs. Truman and Margaret went out shopping, bought handbags, filigree jewelry and carved wooden animals. The President made a surprise appearance at the opera, drew a wild ovation.

But there was more business to transact on the tight, if pleasurable, schedule mapped out by U.S. Ambassador William D. Pawley. Addressing the joint session of the Brazilian Congress, the President recalled Brazil's contribution in bases, materials, and men in World War II, brought down the house when he said simply and directly: "And I'm here to say that we don't forget our friends when they have been friends in need." That night, there was a formal state dinner at Itamarati Palace. Over champagne, Truman cordially invited Dutra and his family to visit the U.S. Said Truman: "We have never had such a reception. ... I am tempted to come and run for mayor of Rio de Janeiro and I think I could be elected."

Bad Moment. There was one incident that gave Brazilians a bad moment. Driving up into the mountains to lunch with Ernesto G. Fontes, a wealthy Brazilian businessman who had also entertained Franklin Roosevelt on his visit to Brazil in 1936, the President's heavy car skidded on the slippery road. The left rear wheel went over a low curb and came to rest a few feet from a precipitous decline. Truman refused to get out as Secret Service men heaved the car back on to the road. Said Harry Truman: "I'm all right. Why, I have done the same thing myself many times on country roads."

His last day in Rio was topped off by reviewing a three-hour military parade celebrating Brazil's 125th anniversary of independence (see LATIN AMERICA). Then he boarded the Missouri for a long, leisurely voyage home.

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