(£immU Mm^^^ pilratg THE GIFT OF ..?.>Wi3:iJjiwvd5:---..'^.^Gr,..S.(^o^^ ^,'i^ij}ZZ.\Qt ..M\.\}(.\.ih 2041 Cornell University Library F 2815.A69 The Argentine Republic, Panama-Paciflc-e 3 1924 021 043 025 THE ARGENTINE REPUBLIC The Commission of the Argentine Republic takes pleasure in offering this volume, descriptive of the growth and position of the Argentine Republic, as a souvenir of the Panama-Pacific- Exposition of 1915. HORACIO ANASAGASTI, Commissioner-General. San Francisco, May, 1915. Cornell University Library The original of this book is in the Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924021043025 The Argentine Republic PANAMA PACIFIC -EXPOSITION SAN FRANCISCO, 1915 Copyrighted, 1915, by The Argentine Commission of the Panama-Pacific- Exposition, San Fhancisco, 1915 All Rights Reserved Press of J. J. Little & Ives Co. New York Argentine National Commission PANAMA-PACIFIC EXPOSITION, SAN FRANCISCO, 1915 President DR. ANGEL GALLARDO Vice-Presidents MR. AGUSTIN DE ELIA DR. FRANCISCO A. BARROETAVENA Treasurer MR. ELISEO F. CANAVERI Members ENGINEER HORACIO ANASAGASTI DR. ABEL BENGOLEA DR. CUPERTINO DEL CAMPO ARCH. JULIO DORMAL MR. CARLOS GUERRERO MR. GUSTAVO HERTEN MR. JUAN B. MIGNAQUY ENGINEER DOMINGO NOCETI ENGINEER LUIS F. NOUGUES MR. RICARDO PILLADO MR. LUIS E. ZUBERBUHLER Commissioner-General ENGINEER HORACIO ANASAGASTI ARGENTINE COMMISSION AT THE PANAMA-PACIFIC EXPOSITION SAN FRANCISCO, 1915 Commissioner-General ENGINEER HORACIO ANASAGASTI Special Delegate of Fine Arts DR. CUPERTINO DEL CAMPO Vice-Commissioner General and Commissioner of Agriculture MR. ENRIQUE M. NELSON Commissioner of Education and Social Economy MR. ERNESTO NELSON Delegate from the Ministry of Justice and Public Instruction Secretary General and Idve-Stock Commissioner MR. LUIS VERNET BASAULDO Executive Secretary MR. ALBERTO M. D'ALKAINE Commissioner of Liberal Arts and Transportation ENGINEER SALVADOR POSITANO Commissioner of Varied Industries and Food Products ENGINEER EUSEBIO GARCLi Commissioner in Charge of the Information Bureau DR. GUILLERMO KOCH Sub-Commissioner of Fine Arts MR. JUAN CARLOS OLIVA NAVARRO Sub-Commissioner of Agriculture MR. H. M. CURREN Honorary Assistant MR. ALFREDO J. DECK Assistants MR. HERMAN BUCHER MR. ENRIQUE HAYMES MR. ARTURO FAUZON MR. GUn^LERMO L. AGUIRRE MR. LUIS FRUGONI INTRODUCTION In or3er to add clearness to tKe brief de- scription of the Argentine Republic presented in this little work, it has been thought desir- able to depart from the traditional method of submitting a mass of statistical and historic matter and, instead, to furnish a rapid, though comprehensive, survey of the main features of interest, such as wiU at once convey to the reader the actual situation and potentialities of the "Land of the Silver River." For the fulfilment of this purpose, it has been necessary to closely condense the facts and figures relating to the growth of the Ar- gentine Republic, to its Constitution, laws, commerce, the high standard of its culture and the protection afforded, without distinc- tion, to all residents within its territories, by the national charter of its freedom and by the advanced nature of its legislation. The character and scope of the Argentine 10 INTRODUCTION exhibits at the Panama-Pacific Exposition elo- quently testify to the importance of the Re- public as a field for an interchange of com- merce with the United States, and, it is hoped, that the statements and suggestions contained in this volume will add impetus to the obviously growing desire to strengthen the commercial and friendly objects which animates the peo- ple of both countries. The Abgentine Commission. San Francisco, 1915. THE ARGENTINE REPUBLIC SOME OF ITS PHYSICAL FEATUKES The evolution of the Argentine Republic of to-day from the position of an obscure Spanish dependency laboring under the disabilities of colonial government, into one of the great countries of the world whose watchwords are "progress'* and "freedom," may be said to date from May 25, 1810, when the people of Buenos Aires declared their independence and established the United Provinces of the River Plate. From that date forward, untU. May 25, 1853, when the Federal Constitution of the Argentine Republic was proclaimed at Santa Fe and even to a later period, the his- tory of that country bears many points of resemblance to the early history of the United States. Just as the United States had to sub- due savage Indians, to enter into war and to offer great sacrifices to develop the resources 11 12 THE ARGENTINE REPUBLIC of vast uninhabited territories in order to es- tablish the principles of liberty and justice, the Argentine Republic has successfully con- quered the same difficulties and, to-day, is inviting the rest of the world to add to its de- velopments and to share its wealth. In the disposition of its territories, in its form of government and in its constitution and laws, the Argentine Republic has modelled its policy upon that of the United States, Situated in the southern portion of South America, the Republic, which is divided into fourteen Provinces (States) and ten National Territories, is bounded on the north by Bolivia, Paraguay and Brazil; on the east by Para- guay, Brazil and Uruguay; and on the south and west by Chile. It embraces the most impor- tant sections of the vast estuary of the River Plate, with its entire line of coast on the At- lantic Ocean. Within its extensive areas, cov- ering about 1,150,000 square miles, the possi- bilities of production are practically unlimited owing to the wealth of the soil and the variety of its climate, which includes the sub-tropical, THE ARGENTINE REPUBLIC 13 the temperate and the cold regions. Yet, in none of these is to be found the extreme, as may be judged by health statistics and by the figures of the rates of mortality and longevity, which are respectively lower and higher than in any country of Europe. Geographically, the Argentine Republic may be divided into three sections: the western, or Andine, the Pampean, and the Mesopotamian. The western is mountainous and comprises the long strip sheltered by the Cordillera of the Andes and its ramifications. It contains numerous valleys of varied character and abounds in mineral wealth. The northern and Andine provinces and the western part of the southern territories are included in this division. The Pampean section embraces the southern and central part of the Republic from the eastern portions of the Province of Salta, with the Territories of Formosa and the Chaco, down to the territories in the south; they in- clude the plains stretching south and extend- ing through the rich Provinces of Santa Fe and Buenos Aires. This section, as its name U THE ARGENTINE REPUBLIC indicates, is one vast plain rolling towariJs the south-east. It is crossed by innumerable rivers and streams which descend from the Andes, and either lose themselves in the Pampa, or become tributaries of the great river system of the Parana, or flow on till they join the At- lantic Ocean. In this section there are some few isolated ranges of hills, besides numerous lakes and lagoons with swamps and salt marshes, while a rich and varied vegetation gives sustenance to millions of cattle. The Mesopotamian section lies between the Rivers Parana and Uruguay and comprises the Provinces of Entre Rios and Corrientes, and the territory of Misiones. At its southern ex- tremity is the beautiful delta of the Parana, studded with islands of rich soil and fertile vegetation. Advancing northwards, the land becomes undulating with tree-clad hUl slopes, intersected by a network of rivulets and streams which water rich meadows and wood- land and stretch to the north over a great part of the Province of Corrientes. Here the land dips in a remarkable manner, forming THE ARGENTINE REPUBLIC 15 great lagoons and marshes and once more changes its character in the Territory of Misiones, where hills abound, covered with for- ests which extend far inland. There are also various systems and ranges of mountains, the principal chain being that of the Andes, which extends from north to south as far as Tierra del Fuego, and constitutes a giant boundary wall between Argentina and Chile; but even the barrier created by this great chain of mountains — at some points of a height ap- proaching 15,000 feet — to rapid communica- tion between the two countries has been re- moved by the opening of railway communica- tion which now permits of the journey from one side of the mountains to the other, to be performed, during the greater part of the year, in a comparatively few hours. Other physical features of the Argentine Republic have been so much more fully re- ferred to elsewhere in these pages that it is merely necessary for the purposes of this brief sketch to make some reference to the Con- stitution in its relation to national progress. 16 THE ARGENTINE REPUBLIC As stated above, the Federal Constitution of the Argentine Republic is almost a counterpart of the American Constitution and is based upon the broadest principles of liberty and justice, with even fewer limitations in regard to foreign residents than are imposed by the Constitution of the United States. Nor is there any doubt that in an almost equal de- gree to its great natural resources, the remark- able development and advance of the Republic is due to its liberal Constitution and to the legislation enacted in terms of its provisions. The principles it embodies have been carried into practice in all its laws. In that Republic there is perfect religious and civil freedom; there are no restrictions upon healthy immi- gration, or upon the nationality of land own- ers. The right is accorded to every inhabitant, native or foreign, to engage in any lawful com- merce or occupation, to petition the authori- ties, to enter, remain upon, travel over, or leave Argentine territory at will; and to use and dispose of property and to form part of any society or association having lawful purposes. o o o THE ARGENTINE REPUBLIC 17 Under its provisions the right of property is inviolate and prerogatives of blood, of birth, or titles of nobility are not recognized, all men being equal under the law. The composition of the judiciary, the executive and the legisla- tive branches of government, differs only from that of the United States in that all judges are appointed and not elected. Each of the fourteen Provinces of the Re- public has its own Constitution, which cannot be in conflict with the Federal Constitution which provides a necessarily limited degree of autonomy in the government of the Provinces. The Federal Constitution prohibits the State Government from usurping such functions of the Federal Government as entering into trea- ties with foreign Powers, enacting laws af- fecting interstate or foreign commerce, navi- gation, citizenship, naturalization, the coining of money, or the establishment of custom houses. The organization of its tribunals and the creation of its own laws and forms of procedure is an absolute State right; but the Federal, Civil, Commercial, Penal and Mining 18 THE ARGENTINE REPUBLIC Laws are in force throughout the Republic, the Custom Houses and Tariffs being also under the supreme control of the Federal Government. These restricted autonomous powers were wisely provided to prevent the conflict of laws which is of frequent oc- currence under other Federal systems. The protection of the moral and material interests of foreign residents of the Republic, or of foreigners taving interests therein, is scrupu- lously enforced by the Courts according to the Constitution where such questions are in- volved; and frequent decisions have been given by the Federal Tribunals in that direction in order to maintain the inviolability of the Con- stitution which was framed in the interest of the Argentine nation and of "aU the people of the world who may reside in Argentine ter- ritory." THE PROGRESS OF TWO DECADES In the succeeding review of the progress achieved by the Argentine Republic during the past twenty years, by a comparison of the THE ARGENTINE REPUBLIC 19 facts and figures relating largely to commer- cial movement, uniformity of date has been overlooked and particular years have been se- lected, in some cases, for the reason that of- ficial figures have not been available to equal- ize the comparisons, although most of the figures given are embraced within the period named. The factors which, in a material sense, con- tribute chiefly to the progress of a nation, are its sources of production, its means of com- munication both within and beyond its terri- tories, its domestic and fiscal legislation and the labor and enterprise of its people. It is therefore to these matters that it is princi- pally intended to draw attention, in so far as they pertain to the national industries, to home and foreign trade, to railways, to ports and shipping, to finance and to the general advance in all matters of a kindred nature ; and as this purpose will be better served by a straight- forward and concise formulation of ofEcial figures shorn of all comment which might tend to obscure their real significance, the form in so THE ARGENTINE REPUBLIC which they are presented will convey, at a glance, the extraordinary growth of the Ar- gentine Republic: Aeea Under Cultivation The area under cultivation in, 1892 for Wheat, Linseed, Com, Alfalfa, and similar products totalled 3,700,000 hec- tares (250 hectares being equal to nearly one square mile) and in 1912 to 22,987,726 hectares, showing an in- crease of the cultivated areas of more than six times the extent of twenty years previously. ExpouTs AND Imports In 1895 the total exports of the Argen- tine Republic amounted to $120,067,790, and the total imports for the same year to $95,096,438, whilst in 1913 the value of the exports reached $483,504,547, and the imports $421,352,542.* Mileage op Railways In 1895 the total length of railways in operation was 8,820 miles and in 1913 ■ 21,000 miles, with many thousands more ' projected and since placed under con- struction. *A11 figures relating to money signify gold dollars, except where otherwise stated. THE ARGENTINE REPUBLIC 21 Tonnage of Shipping The aggregate tonnage of vessels en- tered at and cleared from Argentine ports in the year 1900 was 25,241,618, whilst in 1913 the total tonnage was 66,604,- 833.79. Population The national census of 1869 gave the population of the country as 1,830,214, whereof the city of Buenos Aires had 187,- 346 inhabitants. According to the census of 1895, the total population amounted to 3,954,911, with that of the capital at 663,854. A new census, taken May, 1913, is now being compiled, but from fig- ures supplied we know the population of the city was at that time 1,560,000 inhabi- tants. According to the Division of Sta- tistical and Rural Economy, the entire population of the Republic in 1911 was estimated to be 7,467,878. The latter figures are necessarily based upon incom- plete returns and have probably been esti- mated upon a ratio of increase established by earlier calculations ; but all indications point to the probability that on the com- pletion of the new census, during the pres- ent year, the total population of the Re- public will approach 10,000,000. Investment of Fokeign Capital The investment of foreign capital in the Argentine Republic has assiuned far 22 THE ARGENTINE REPUBLIC greater proportions during the past twenty years than in any other corre- sponding period since its formation. As one example of importance, it may be stated that the total capital invested in private and government-owned railways in the year 1895 amounted to $485,360,- 121, whilst in 1913 the capital employed in railways operating in the Argentine Republic reached $1,210,475,331, of which over ninety per cent is British. In 1895 the foreign capital invested in the Re- pubUc, including, at that time, about $400,000,000 of External National Debt, barely exceeded $1,000,000,000. An offi- cial estimate of foreign capital invested in the country at the end of 1910 gave the following figures : $Gold 1. Loans and various Ar- gentine Bonds 691,831,000 2. Railways 804,413,000 8. Banks 37,541,000 4. Ports 22,164,000 6. Street car lines 91,576,000 6. Freezing plants 8,392,000 7. Gas and electric com- panies, water works and sanitary works. 58,035,000 8. Land and loan com- panies 160,800,000 9. Other companies 41,650,000 THE ARGENTINE REPUBLIC 23 10. Mortgages and prop- erties 150,000,000 11. Commerce and credit. . 200,000,000 Grand total $2,266,4!0g,000 GoiiD Reserves The vast increase in exports during latter years has naturally attracted con- siderable imports of gold; and, as show- ing the wealth and stability of the Re- public, it may be mentioned that the Con- version Fund created by law in 1901 to secure the national issues of paper and nickel currency (which was then to con- sist of appropriations from certain sources of revenue until a total of $30,- 000,000 had been obtained) showed at December 31st, 1913, gold reserves in the Caja de Conversion to be $233,197,727, or considerably more than 60 per cent, of the entire issues of paper and nickel currency. Custom House Revenue The Custom House Revenue on import duties for 1903 amounted to $37,191,857, and in 1913 to $98,978,745. When it is remembered that the Argentine Republic covers an area of about one-third §4. THE ARGENTINE REPUBLIC of the United States and that up to the pres- ent time not nearly one-fifth of its productive soil has been placed under cultivation, the figures relating to its production will leave lit- tle doubt that the world, in the not distant future, wiU find in that favored land one of the main sources of its food supply. But it is not alone in the development of the agricul- tural and pastoral industries that the great advance of the Republic is to be noted. In every form of national activity the forward march of the Argentine Republic has made it- self felt far beyond its own borders; while from a purely commercial point of view it has become a centre of universal interest and has added materially to the enrichment of the com- merce of many of the countries of Europe. In legislation there have been many notable advances during the past twenty years and, in some cases, examples worthy of being fol- lowed by older communities. Amongst the most important legislative measures, those dealing with immigration, colonization, electo- ral reform, land settlement, education, labor. OXE OF THE RECEPTION ROOMS OE THE ARGEXTINE PAVILION AT THE PANAMA PACIFIC EXPOSITION ANOTHEB INTERIOR VIEW OF THE ARGENTINE PAVILION AT THE PANAMA PACIFIC EXPOSITION WHERE THE ARTISTIC RICHNESS OF THE MURAL DECORATIONS CAN BE APPRECIATED THE ARGENTINE REPUBLIC 25 animal and sanitary laws, may be singled out for special mention. The immigration laws have been framed, since their inception, with a, view to inviting foreigners to share in the de- velopment and enjoyment of the national wealth. No restrictions are imposed upon the entry of immigrants other than those which have for their object the exclusion of the crim- inal classes or persons who are physically or mentally unsound. Not only can the immigrant acquire rich government land on conditions un- equalled in other new countries, but provision is also made for the supply of the necessary funds to furnish the colonist with implements and other equipment to enable him to reap an ample reward for his labors. The naturaliza- tion laws impose no difficulties in the acquisi- tion of citizenship, although there is absolute freedom on the part of the alien resident to hold land and property and to enjoy all the privileges conferred upon inborn citizens, ex- cept that of voting at Congressional or Presi- dential elections. Even certain pubHc posi- tions may be held by foreigners without nat- 26 THE ARGENTINE REPUBLIC uralization. In electoral matters, the law re- cently passed to enforce compulsory voting at elections has already produced excellent re- sults and has succeeded in removing attempts at coercion and the exercise of undue influ- ence in the return of candidates for elective offices; and most of these legislative reforms have been effected during the past twenty years. Although not precisely within the period under review, the enactment of the Conversion Law of 1891 has had such far-reaching ef- fects upon the financial situation and general stability of the Republic that it should not be omitted from a record of national legisla- tion dating from even four years later. Prior to the passage of that law, violent fluctuations in the premium of gold, induced by specula- tion, led to so much disturbance of commerce as to render it necessary to place the national currency on a more substantial basis. With that object in view an average was taken and the value of paper currency was fixed by the law at 44 per cent of the value of gold, in THE ARGENTINE REPUBLIC 27 other words, making $227.27, currency, equal to $100 gold. The law further provided for the establishment of a Conversion Fund, which was to^be formed by the appropriation of cer- tain sources of revenue and to be added to by annual increments until it reached a total of $30,000,000 gold, which with the gold reserves then existing and to be accumulated were to be employed exclusively for the public ex- change of gold and paper at the rate fixed. As shown in the figures relating to gold re- serves, the accumulation of gold held in the Caja de Conversion for the purposes of the law, at December 31, 1913, amounted to $233,- 197,727, representing upwards to 60 per cent of the entire national currency in circulation, a proportion not exceeded by any other coun- try of the world; and with the resumption of exports upon a normal scale, which will con- stantly bring more gold to the Republic, the relation of gold reserves to currency issues will, in a comparatively short time, be such as to justify the creation of a definite and exclusive 28 THE ARGENTINE REPUBLIC gold standard as the monetary system of the Republic. The Argentine Republic has achieved many triumphs in diplomacy and many legitimately claim to have made new international law for all the countries of the American continent. One of the most important steps yet taken in this direction was the formulation, in 1902, of the now universally accepted doctrine estab- lishing the principle that contractual debts by Sovereign States to foreign private subjects, or citizens, should not be collected by the em- ployment of armed forces. This doctrine was propounded by the then Argentine Minister of Foreign Affairs in a Note addressed to the United States Government as the result of the occupation, at that time, of the territorial waters of an independent state by the warships of some of the European Powers, for the avowed purpose of compelling payment to their subject of claims for damages and for the fulfilment of the service of a national debt due to foreign creditors and then in default. This Note aroused world-wide attention and the sub- w o w o H HI ^ H ^ !d 3 O O ■A O r> M O 'Si ^, R CTj ••* 3 a H w M tj rt o > a a M rt ■7; ■* O 5< PLAZA HOTEL, BUENOS AIRES THE ARGENTINE REPUBLIC 45 cus," created a world's record by realizing the unprecedented price of about $35,000 ($80,000 currency), whilst even larger sums have been obtained for yearlings produced in the country. Nor is this surprising when it is stated that Argentine breeders have paid the highest known prices for pure pedigree stock, in which general statement may be included the payment of more than $150,000 each for three famous Derby winners. The breeds of cattle most encouraged in Argentina are Shorthorns and Herefords, Lincolns predominating in Sheep and Clydesdales and Percherons in Horses. StUl, there are hundreds of millions of acres of rich pasture lands not yet stocked, so that when the time comes to place these vast areas under cultivation, the number of animals that could be maintained is almost il- limitable. It should be further added that the climatic conditions of the country permit of all its animals being reared in the open; and as showing the possibilities awaiting those who enter this field of national industry, it may be pointed out that in hundreds of cases where 46 THE ARGENTINE REPUBLIC land has been rented and cultivated for the purpose of fattening cattle, the lessees have been enabled within a very few years to be- come absolute owners of the land as a result of their profitable operations. The Dairy and Flour industries have like- wise shown great improvement, whilst consid- erable promise is held out by the establishment and development of other industries, such as the cultivation and export of fruits, the breed- ing and fattening of hogs, poultry farming, bee-culture and the manufacture of vegetable and animal oil products^ The vigilant economic policy undertaken by the present government of the Republic is likely to exercise a very beneficial effect upon the future of these and other industries when normal conditions are restored. The ques- tions of roads, canals, ports, transport charges and other matters which affect the development of commerce were all being considered with a view to improvement prior to the outbreak of war ; and even at the present time work is pro- ceeding for the deepening of existing channels THE ARGENTINE REPUBLIC 47 and the extension of ports and docks. Immi- gration has necessarily been checked through the war, but when this disturbing element no longer exists, renewed vigor will be applied to a general extension of industrial establish- ments in every direction where the natural re- sources of the Republic can be made available. THE AEGENTINE UEPTTBUC IN THE SAN FEAN- CISCO EXPOSITION Of all the great Expositions held in the United States to celebrate some distinct oc- currence or achievement in the history of the country, none has assumed the importance or splendour of the World's Fair at San Fran- cisco, created to commemorate America's im- measurable service to the cause of humanity by the construction of the Panama Canal to link up the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. Con- ceived and decided upon in times of general peace, most of the nations of the earth were invited to participate ; and though laboring at the time under certain difficulties induced by universally disturbed economic conditions. 48 THE ARGENTINE REPUBLIC many of the countries subordinated these con- siderations to the higher purpose of cementing the bonds of international friendship by ac- cepting the invitation of the United States to take part in the great Exposition of San Fran- cisco, formed to crown the colossal work in- itiated by Ferdinand de Lesseps and carried into execution by American skill, labor and courage. Not least amongst the countries will- ing to make sacrifices to share in this noble work was the Argentine Republic which, in the face of many obstacles to adequate repre- sentation, at once entered into the spirit of the undertaking and after assembling its leading authorities in all the branches of national arts and industries, decided to assume its appropri- ate part in the glorification of the American Continent by the effort to show that the na- tions of the south were advancing step by step with the great Republic of the north. Prelimi- nary action was at once taken to organize in- fluential committees representing all the States and Territories of the Republic, an immense sum of money was voted by Congress and full THE ARGENTINE REPUBLIC 49 preparations were set on foot to secure a prac- tical and eloquent manifestation of the phe- nomenal progress and of the social and politi- cal economy of the Argentine Republic. No sooner had these measures been adopted than a series of perturbations, culminating in the out- break of the war in Europe, occurred to cre- ate an unfavorable ambient and to sow doubts and mistrust forshadowing failure for the great enterprise. In spite, however, of the fears and even of the opposition thus created, the Argentine Government through its organ- ized Committees proceeded uninterruptedly with the completion of its plans and has been able to organize the most important represen- tation it has yet had in any foreign Exposi- tion. The Argentine section of the International Exposition of San Francisco admittedly holds high rank in every aspect of its participation, not excluding the magnificence of its Pavilion and the area of space allotted to Argentine exhibits, which reflect the indisputable im- portance and advance of the Republic. The 50 THE ARGENTINE REPUBLIC spaces occupied in the various Palaces of the Exposition embrace an area of 3,000 square meters which, added to the 4,000 meters occu- pied by the Pavilion and Garden, gives a total area of 7,000 square meters and constitutes a space record over all previous exhibitions in which the Argentine Republic has so far as- sisted. The areas excluding the Pavilion and Garden are divided as foUows: (1) Agriculture .... 1,140 square meters (2) Various Products 550 " « (3) Food Products.. 385 " " (4<) Education and Social Economy 320 « " (5) Liberal Arts 230 (6) Mining and Metal- lurgy 215 (7) Fine Arts.. 160 « <( a fi Total 3,000 cc (C The Argentine Pavilion, which has been ac- corded a prominent position amongst other palatial constructions of the Exposition, con- veys an expressive idea of the higher standard of national art, both from the architectural and decorative standpoints. In the centre por- THE ARGENTINE REPUBLIC 51 tion of the Pavilion there is a beautiful Con- ference Hall and a spacious gallery in which there will be kinetoscopic and dioramic exhi- bitions of characteristic views of national life and activity and of some of the natural beauty spots of the country, such as the Iguazti Falls, the Nahuel Huapi and others. There is a Buffet for the testing and tasting of exclu- sively Argentine products, whilst other sur- rounding installations include a Library of na- tional authors, a Reading Room, an Informa- tion Bureau, a Reception HaU and the various offices of the Commission. The principal frontage of the Pavilion is composed of two high laterals which coil on a central figure crowned by a handsome dome reaching to a height of 50 meters. Approach is obtained by a wide "stoop" which gives access to a porch adorned with caryatides forming a vestibule, the porch being decorated with a symbolic "vitrail" and enclosed in an imposing arch 21 meters high. On the right and left of this en- trance there are two sculptured plaques, re- spectively, representing the profiles of San 52 THE ARGENTINE REPUBLIC Martin and Washington, and throughout the graceful haJls and buildings, all designed by Argentine architects and constructed by Argentine workmen, there are beautiful and graphic pictorial representations of the Port and City of Buenos Aires, of the Campo de Mayo, of the Puerto Militar, of the Immigrant Hotel and the natural fields and forests of Quebracho. The main divisions of Argentine exhibits have been sub-divided into so many depart- ments and classifications as to render it dif- ficult within the necessarily brief limits of this work to describe in detail the character of each of the sul>divisions and of the respective exhibits they contain. It will, therefore, suf- fice for the object in view to furnish merfely an outline of the plans adopted by the Ar- gentine Commission to demonstrate the high grade of excellence and perfection of the na- tional products and industries. The most im- portant of the buildings comprising the Ar- gentine section is the Palace of Agriculture, which covers an area of about 1,400 square me- r B > o THE ARGENTINE REPUBLIC 63 ters and embraces a collection of about 2,000 samples of classified products covering the en- tire field of agriculture, including those of the crops of 1913-1914 and 1914-1915. In each sample of the collection there is specified the name of the product, the weight and measure in kilos and hectolitres, the weight in pounds per bushel, the output in- pounds per acre, the zone of production, the name of the exhibitor and, in many cases, indications of the nature of the soil and other physical conditions. The arrangement of the exhibition of the various products has been moreover much simplified by the adoption of the plan of enclosing them in boxes with glass covers, giving to each product a unit of measure in a square of 15 centimeters, thus permitting the sample, once placed in its original packing, to remain unchanged and to be easily removed and classified, whilst by this arrangement space has been economized and facilities given for the addition of pho- tographs and explanatory notes which serve the double purpose of giving useful informa- tion and decorative effect. Si THE ARGENTINE REPUBLIC Other features of Interest in this section comprise a collection of tobaccos cultivated in Argentina and on a wall of about 3 square meters in dimension there is exhibited a large illustration of a national tobacco manufactory in full operation. Considerable attention has been devoted to this particular department, one cabinet alone having cost $6,000 to con- struct. In the section set apart for textile products, there is an artistically arranged ex- hibition of samples of wool consisting of about 300 separate collections contributed in more, or less, equal proportion by public bodies and individual producers. The beautiful cabinet containing these samples also has a number of photographic views relating to the products shown as well as pictorial reproductions of sheep-shearing and other mechanical operations as carried out on the larger farms of the Re- public. There are likewise shown here many classified samples of cotton and a variety of vegetable fibres. The collection of woods and other forestal products is another centre of attraction for THE ARGENTINE REPUBLIC 55 visitors and gives a clear idea of the riches enclosed in Argentine forests. The collection consists of upwards of a thousand samples representing, in their varied forms, a hundred classes of different woods. In addition to the great variety of this exhibit, its interest has been added to by the contribution of a number of maps and photographic views by the Forest Department of the Ministry of Agriculture. To make the Agricultural Section of the Ar- gentine Republic more attractive and of added practical value, a number of the official De- partments of the Republic have contributed statistics, plans and graphic illustrations per- taining to the methods and progress of this branch of industry. The drawings, paintings and statistics shown by the Board of Rural Economy demonstrate the enormous growth and progress made in this direction, whilst the exhibits of the Argentine Meteorological Of- fice and the National Board of Agriculture fur- nish every necessary detail in regard to cli- matic and meteorological conditions and the provision made against agricultural plagues. 56 THE ARGENTINE REPUBLIC Added to aU this, there is a collection of pho- tographic views relating to pastoral and agri- cultural production which may be considered to excel both in detail and variety. The development of other Argentine national industries is to be seen in the Palace of In- dustry, which occupies a rectangular space of 30 meters frontage by 18 deep, on the Central Avenue. In this section are shown samples of a great variety of articles produced in the numerous factories devoted to the production of cloth, shoes, hats, decorative ornaments, electric light fittings, crockery, construction material, tools, implements, mechanical prod- ucts, glassware, matches, tannery, saddlery and many others. As in all the other Argentine sections, the exhibition is made more complete by the display of splendid photographs which assist in demonstrating the rapid advance in the mmaber and character of Argentine manu- factures. The justification of the description of the Argentine Republic as the "universal provider" of foodstuffs is to be found in the section as- THE ARGENTINE REPUBLIC 57 signed to such products, notwithstanding the absence of an exhibition of chilled and frozen meats, together with some of their bj-products, as a result of circumstances which have tem- porarily impeded the operations of the great packing houses. The vast proportions of this branch of industry may be gathered from the admirable collection of photographs displayed. The regrettable fact that the Argentine Re- public is unable to offer any practical demon- stration of its meat-producing capacity through circumstances over which neither the country nor the producers had any control is, to some extent, however, compensated for by the large and interesting exhibition of many of its other leading food products. The milHng industry is amply represented by samples of excellent quality from the raw material down to such by-products as biscuits, nutritious pastes, sweets, candies and all the other arti- cles made from it. Here important space is also given to such articles of general consump- tion, as preserved fruits, condensed milk, steril- ized and antiseptic, lard, cheese, conserved 68 THE ARGENTINE REPUBLIC vegetables, etc. Beverages, wines, beer and liqueurs are abundantly represented, whilst there are numerous exhibits of other alcoholic products, oils and vinegars. A prominent fea- ture of this section is the diorama illustrating field sports and fishing and an interesting col- lection of embalmed animals, particularly birds and fishes, of many diflPerent species and di- mensions. In the Mineral and Metallurgy Department of the Exposition, the Argentine Republic has an effective display of a general collection of minerals and three special exhibits of petro- leum and combustibles, borates, salts and ma- terials for construction. In regard to these, more attention has been given to the object of securing typical samples which demonstrate the character of the various ore deposits, than to the consideration of the actual number of samples. In the collection of petroleum and combustibles, there are samples from the fol- lowing deposits: Commodore Rivadavia, La- guna de la Brea, Cerro Buitres, San Rafael, Cacheta, Covunco (Neuquen) Cerro Sotena, THE ARGENTINE REPUBLIC 59 Challaco, Mina Carmelo (Salta), Yacuiba, Garrapatal ( Jujuy). This collection contains 39 different samples, with specific details and statistics especially tabulated in every case. The exhibition of marbles and stones for pur- poses of construction is most complete. Here are to be seen the famous marble onyx of San Luis and of San Rafael, the marbles from the Sierras of Cordoba (represented by 15 varie- ties), and specimens of the large granites of Sierras Bajas, Olavarria, etc. There is also a collection of mineral waters in which are in- cluded those mostly used in the thermal esiab- Ushments of Rosario de la Frontera ; whilst, as a decorative contribution to the exhibition there is a plastic representation of the Sierras of Famatina, showing a part of its wonderful aerial railway, together with an admirable series of photographs, maps, and diagrams em- bracing practically every branch of the min- eral and metallurgical industries. ' The designation of "Palace of Liberal Arts" is a somewhat inadequate description of the Argentine exhibits of Liberal Arts in the gene- 60 THE ARGENTINE REPUBLIC ric sense of the words, as, in addition to the branches of study usually embodied in that classification, there are included under that head many exhibits of a scientific and technical character which, for the demonstration they afford of national progress in the direction re- ferred to, might well have formed a separate collection. Here are to be seen a complete series of drawings, maps, statistics and plans of works graphically depicting, with full de- tails, the principal river systems and general workings of the rivers and ports of the Re- public, aJl prepared by the Department of Pub- lic Works. Nearly every technical division of the Government Departments is represented in this section, many of the exhibits having been sent by the General Board of Railways, the Board of Bridges and Roads, the Board of Ar- chitecture, the Board of Health, the Board of the Capital and various Divisions of the War Cabinet, each unit containing photographs, plans and diagrams indicating the advance that has been made in all these important pub- lic works. Amongst other features of interest THE ARGENTINE REPUBLIC 61 contained in this section, special mention should be made of the representation of the National and Foreign Press, which furnishes unquestionable evidence of the high state of efficiency and general excellence as well as the enterprise of Argentine journalism. Here also are the exhibits of the literary, scientific and educational works produced in the Republic and the contributions of the National Centre of Engineers, of the Argentine Graphic Insti- tute, of the Central Society of Architecture, of the Society of Architects and Construction of Works, etc., etc., all combining to illustrate the high degree of Argentine progress in the field of Liberal Arts. In an earlier chapter reference is made to the great advance made by the Argentine Re- public, in recent years, in the development of education, to which cause successive Govern- ments have given ever-increasing thought and attention, whilst Congress has, year by year, sympathetically supported the Government policy by augmented money votes for the ad- dition to the number and the improvement of 62 THE ARGENTINE REPUBLIC educational institutions. In the Palace of Education and Social Economy which was vol- tmtarily accorded a place of honor by the Ex- position Commission amongst the principal Palaces of the Fair, there has been formed a collection of detailed exhibits pertaining to Aj>- gentine national education which points to the very great importance given to this subject by the authorities of the Republic. The efforts of every official element in educational matters have been brought into play with a result that leaves no doubt, either as to the desire for, or the standard of culture in the Argentine Re- public. This exhibition, moreover, is not only an effective exponent of national progress but wiU also serve to remove an easily understood, though generally prevailing ignorance in many foreign countries of true conditions in Argen- tina. In order to add perfect completeness to the educational exhibits, a new departure has been made to show full details of every branch of teaching, official and private, primary, sec- ondary, university, commercial, industrial, agricultural, professional, etc., etc., for aU THE ARGENTINE REPUBLIC 63 classes and ages, by means of plans, statistics and some 6,000 photographs representing 150 leading institutions and upwards of 100,000 students and pupils whose physical character- istics at once reveal the predomination of the higher European types. As may be imagined, these illustrations represent the scholarly ac- tivities of the country in their widest aspect and are not merely photographs of special groups of children such as are frequently shown In educational exhibitions. The statis- tics, which form an instructive addition to the pictorial matter, have been so compiled and tabulated as to make their full value and sig- nificance easy of comprehension and there is every reason to believe that those which ac- company the illustrations of the agricultural sections and experimental stations will be of special interest to the majority of American visitors to the Exposition. In regard to the group of exhibits corre- sponding to the section of Social Economy con- tained in the same artistically arranged build- ing, much detail is furnished concerning many 64 THE ARGENTINE REPUBLIC of the social and charitable institutions of the Republic, in reference to which there is an ab- sence of information abroad. The co-operation of the Argentine Social Museum and other im- portant public bodies has enabled the Commis- sion to present a comprehensive exhibition of views and of the methods of operation of the various national Associations established, as asylums, refuges, hospitals, poor-houses and other organizations for the protection of women and children and for the prevention of crime, as well as demonstrations of the work per- formed by these bodies, some of which also have for their purpose the extension of social improvement, of public order, economy, hy- giene, labor, the construction of dwellings and other objects of public advantage. In this section there is also an exhibition of works of arts produced by Argentine artists embracing a careful selection of paintings and examples of sculpture representative and characteristic, in every sense, of national art ; and with a view to demonstrating the artistic progress of the country, this collection is made up of only re- SAUMIENTO SCHOOL, BVEXOS AIRES THE ARGENTINE REPUBLIC 65 cent works, not one of which has previously been shown in any foreign Exposition, This shadowy outline of the nature and qual- ity of the Argentine exhibits at the San Fran- cisco Exposition, though utterly Incomplete as a description of their importance and value, will convey a general idea of the position at- tained by the Argentine Republic In aU those moral and material factors which go to make up a great nation ; and if to these elements are added the initiative and beneficial labors of Ar- gentina In the international sphere, a sense of pride should be awakened in the hearts of all Americans that In the arts of peace, the widely separated, though great, countries of the American Continent, stand out as shining ex- amples, worthy of emulation even by many countries of the old world. INTEECHANGE OF COMMEECE In 1895 the exports from the United States to the Argentine Republic amounted in value to $6,686,999 and the imports from that coun- try to $8,947,165. In 1912 the exports from 66 THE ARGENTINE REPUBLIC the United States amounted to $53,158,179 and the imports to $29,84!7,016. These figures sufficiently indicate the results likely to follow the active campaign of the manufacturers and comanercial bodies in this country, recently in- itiated as a consequence of the war. The con- ditions arising out of the great upheaval caused by that world disaster have furnished the occasion for the exercise of an effort with- out parallel in the United States in any previ- ous attempt to secure a larger share of South American trade. In this movement the Argen^ tine Republic must necessarily be the main ob- jective, owing to the vastness of its resources and commercial activities. Yet, although there is no doubt that the United States should and will constitute a still greater source of supply to that country of manufactured prod- ucts, machinery and other articles, not only during the war, but for a long period after its close, it is necessary to consider that in order to secure a permanent extension of interna- tional trade upon a scale of magnitude appar- ently justified by superficial conditions, seri- THE ARGENTINE REPUBLIC 67 ous attention should be given to matters of reciprocal interests and the past relations of the Argentine Republic with the European countries to which it has freely opened its markets. In this connection the words "reciprocal in- terests" must be taken rather in a literal sense than in the sense of reciprocity, as that expres- sion is usually understood when applied to in- ternational treaties. Even though the ques- tion of tariflFs does not now form so insuperable an obstacle to a large interchange of commerce between the two countries as was formerly the case, the fact that the balance of Argentine's trade with the leading countries of Europe has always been in her favor, renders it a condi- tion precedent to a permanent expansion of international commerce that there must be a greater quality of interest than exists at pres- ent. In other words, the United States must offer corresponding advantages to the Argen- tine Republic to attract a transfer of a con- siderable share of her commerce from Euro- pean competitors. 68 THE ARGENTINE REPUBLIC In the instances of Great Britain, Germany and France, with which countries the Argen- tine Republic has always transacted the greater part of her foreign trade, there has not only been a steady and ever-increasing growth in the consumption of Argentine na- tional products, but those countries have like- wise furnished huge amounts of capital for the establishment on Argentine soil of industrial and commercial undertakings, which, by their own necessities, create a natural extension of commercial interchange. It must also be re- membered that the main products of the Ar- gentine Republic are also the main products of the United States, where they are protected by High Tariffs, whereas, in Great Britain, which is Argentina's principal customer, there are no duties upon the imports of foodstuffs. In these circumstances it is obvious that some means must be found whereby the interests of Argentina in her commercial relations with the United States must be made more reciprocal, either by the introduction of American capital for the development of local industries, or by THE ARGENTINE REPUBLIC 69 the remission, at least, of a substantial portion of the duties now imposed upon Argentine ex- ports to the United States. The enormous growth of population which has changed the position of the United States frewn an exporting to a consuming country, so far as foodstuffs are concerned, wiU, doubtless, in course of time, considerably ameliorate the restrictive conditions which have heretofore operated as a barrier to large exports of Ar- gentine products to this coxmtry. On the other hand, the production of the Argentine RepubHc, by reason of the largely increased area placed under cultivation year after year, maintains her exporting capacity at a con- stantly higher level. Thus, given equal con- ditions in other respects, the United States might ultimately become as free a market for Argentina's meat and grain as any of the coun- tries of Europe. Under similar circumstances as those indicated, there could also be infinitely larger imports of raw material which could subsequently be re-sold to the Argentine Re- public in manufactured form. 70 THE ARGENTINE REPUBLIC The countries which have hitherto occupied the first place in Argentine foreign trade are those which not only gave initial impulse to the development of national industries by the founding of banks and the construction of rail- ways, but likewise by the creation of adequate steamship services. There are to-day upwards of 33,000 kilometers of railway in operation in the Republic, with an aggregate capital of considerably over $2,000,000,000, more than 90 per cent, of which is entirely British, whilst the oversea communications are conducted by regular and rapid services of steamships fly- ing the flags of the maritime countries of Europe. The great traction companies in the capital and the provinces are British ; the street electric railways established on an important scale throughout the Republic are British; the foremost Light and Power concerns are Ger- man; with the exception of the National Bank of the Republic and the branch of the National City Bank of New York recently opened, the banking interests are largely European, whilst the great majority of the principal industrial THE ARGENTINE REPUBLIC 71 and commercial enterprises are also European. Of the $400,000,000 of the Argentine External Debt, practically the whole of the issues mak- ing up this vast smn are in the hands of Euro- pean investors and, in normal times, as further capital is called for to meet the requirements of any of the estabHshed enterprises, or of others formed on similar lines, it is invariably forthcoming from Europe; and to these ad- vantages which the Argentine Republic enjoys in her commercial relations with the older coun- tries, there is the additional fact that she de- rives aU her immigration from northern and southern Europe. Let us now examine the American interests, the most encouraging features of which are the establishment of a branch bank of the National City Bank of New York and the imqualified success in the United States of the loans re- cently made by that enterprising institution and other American bankers to the Argentine Republic. These two factors point to the re- alization, by those who are best able to judge, of the necessity for a new basis of intercourse 72 THE ARGENTINE REPUBLIC in the future ; and that this fact is understood in the Argentine Republic may be seen by the appreciative opinions of the press and the pub- lie authorities of that country. In other forms of industrial or commercial enterprises, Ameri- can interests are comparatively insignificant. The acquisition and establishment of local freezing plants by the American packing houses, though important in extent, involve considerations of too controversial a character to be dealt with in this survey of the commer- cial relations of the two countries. It is con- sidered desirable, therefore, to treat only of such branches of industry, commerce and finance as embrace the general field of foreign enterprise. The only American interest in railways is in the Argentine Railway Company, which consists of a combination of three or four minor lines in the north and north-eastern provinces, with a small proportion of American capital. In the great cattle raising and agri- cultural industries there is little or no Ameri- can capital employed and it is also conspicu- ous by its absence from the lengthy list of o t3 t3 ft b ^ B THE ARGENTINE REPUBLIC 73 land, mortgage and finance companies estal>- lished in the Republic. It is true that there are many manufacturing concerns of the United States represented by agencies, but apart from the Customs revenue this repre- sentation brings to the country it is in no sense a contributor to its development. An impartial examination of these circum- stances raises the question as to how, with- out some changes in the directions pointed to, the United States may hope to share with Europe, on anything like equal terms, the profitable and ever-growing trade of the Ar- gentine Republic? To svun up the situation, it may be asked, in what way can the United States equalize the advantages which Europe offers to the Argentine Republic by way of the purchase of her products, the large and constant supply of capital and the labor of its emigrants? There are many articles of mer- chandise and items of machinery in regard to which Europe cannot successfully compete with the United States, notwithstanding the greater facilities for transportation; but there 74 THE ARGENTINE REPUBLIC are also numberless articles of American pro- duction which could find a ready market in Argentine if the surrounding conditions ap- proached a greater measure of equality. An analysis of the figures of the foreign trade of the Argentine Republic for the past twenty years establishes the fact that the United States is in a position to suc- cessfully compete with Europe in many lines far beyond the limits already reached; and there is certainly no lack of efi'ort or incli- nation on the part of American manufacturers to enter into such competition. It is there- fore reasonable to assume that there are other causes operating to check a growth in the volume of American trade with the Argentine Republic. There are no laws in the Argentine Repub- lic, either of a fiscal or domestic nature, which are calculated to afi'ect ruling market prices, or which admit of inequality of treatment. Tariffs are based upon a reciprocal policy, the tariff laws of the Argentine Republic being so framed as to permit the Executive to re- THE ARGENTINE REPUBLIC 75 lax and reduce in favor of those countries which accord similar treatment to her national products. Credits are intrinsically sound and in ordinary periods are usually regulated with foreign countries by purchase at ninety, or one hundred-and-twenty days' sight drafts. In the discussion of this point it may also be urged that the statements so generally made in re- gard to the alleged long credit demanded by Argentine buyers owe their origin to the con- ditions prevailing in regard to shipping mat- ters in days gone by, when the steamship ser- vices between North and South America were more irregular and far less rapid than is the case to-day. It was no fault of the Argen- tine importer that merchandise was frequently tied up for weeks together in an American port and that the trip took much longer than it now does. Yet, those delays caused the ex- porter to wait weeks and frequently months longer than was necessary to receive his money. Hence, the currency of the statement that long credit is an indispensable condition to trading with Argentine. At the present mo- 76 THE ARGENTINE REPUBLIC ment the Argentine Republic is gradually re- covering from the effects of a financial and commercial crisis brought about through con- ditions which it had no power to change ; and, in order to secure immediate results, it may be necessary at the present time to extend the customary terms of credit, but this may be done with perfect safety and with commensurate profit if the exporter avails himself of the services created by the National City Bank of New York and others for the investigation of prospective buyers. Irrespective, however, of aU other conditions, satisfactory banking and shipping facilities are essential requirements of an extended com- merce between the United States and the Ar- gentine Republic. The establishment of an American bank has paved the way for the re- moval of many of the difficulties hitherto im- posed on the American exporter, but there still remains the important question of ocean ti'ans- port. The service of steamships now in i^gu- lar operation between North and South Ameri- can ports is whoUy inadequate to support a THE ARGENTINE REPUBLIC 77 rapidly developing trade unless the ships now running are substituted by vessels of adequate speed and capacity. To secure this object some provision would have to be made to cover the increased cost of construction and of opera- tion of the larger vessels and also to overcome the difficulty of return cargoes. Practically aU of the European steamships trading with South America carry full return cargoes, but owing to the reasons already given and prin- cipally because of the fact that the shipments from Argentina to the United States are at present limited to a small number of products, the services established between North and South America cannot compete in the matter of freight until they are placed on a similar footing as the European lines in regard to re- turn cargoes, which, under existing conditions, are unavailable and must remain so until either the laws or the needs of the United States wiU permit of larger and more genereJ imports from the Argentine RepubKc. The figures already given in the relation to the trade of the United States with the Ar- •78 THE ARGENTINE REPUBLIC gentine Republic show a considerable balance, almost amounting to forty per cent in favor of the former. Now let us see what are the proportions of Argentine trade with some of the countries of Europe. Argentine imports from the United Kingdom in 1912 amounted to $118,669^26, and her exports to $121,- 373,358. In the same year her exports to Grermany amounted to $53,995,175, and her imports to $63,94.1,603. To France the ex- ports were valued at $36,052,009, and her im- ports $37,618^578. To Belgium her exports totalled $37,258,225, and her imports $20,- 370,530. These figures speak for themselves and taken in conjunction with the other solid inducements oflFered by the countries of Europe in return for the benefits of a larger trade with the Argentine Republic, should form a subject for serioQS oonsideration in the effort to se- cure for the United States a proportionate share of Argentine commerce. THE ARGENTINE REPUBLIC 79 THE CITY OF BTJENOS AIRES Favored by nature and by the conditions under which it was founded, the City of Buenos Aires from its earliest days has been endowed with elements which have considerably influ- enced the vast growth and development that have made it the leading Latin city of the new world. Situated on the banks of the River Plate and at the gateway of the Atlantic, na- ture has largely contributed towards making it a great commercial centre. At the time of its foundation, it attracted but few of the ad- venturers, who, in their quest of gold, migrated to other parts of South America, the wealth of the soil and the abundance of the flocks and herds having brought to its shores a less tur- bulent and more laborious class of immigrants who sought a new home and a new outlet for their activities in the "City of Good Airs." The pure European origin and the commercial spirit of the new Inhabitants soon produced changes in pre-existing conditions and In mark- ing out the path for the present Argentine 80 THE ARGENTINE REPUBLIC metropolis to become the hub of South Amer- ica. Founded in 1535 by Pedro de Mendoza, and subsequently destroyed and twice depopu- lated, the modern rise of the capital of what is now the Argentine Republic may be said to date from 1824, after the formulation of the Monroe Doctrine and the recognition of the independence of the people of Buenos Aires by the United States and Great Britain. At about that time efforts were initiated to provide the means of facilitating the transport of its prod- ucts to foreign markets and in order to estab- lish the necessary facilities for that purpose, Buenos Aires raised (in England) its first loan of $5,000,000. To that comparatively small financial transaction may be traced the reasons for the enormous investment of foreign capital — chiefly British — ^which has since enabled the country to serve humanity by the increasing development of its numerous sources of wealth. Following this preliminary introduction of for- eign capital, there was established a regular line of sailing packets between Buenos Aires and Montevideo and, later, a line of steamers THE ARGENTINE REPUBLIC 81 between Buenos Aires and Rio de Janeiro, which progressive measures were added to an official bank and, within the next thirty years, a line of railway extending in a westerly direction from the capitaL These were the beginnings of the evolution of modem Buenos Aires, which now properly ranks as the second Latin city of the world. Nor is it by any means alone to material prog- ress that the City of Buenos Aires owes its present proud position. The spirit and quali- ties of its early founders are manifested to-day in the outward expression of aU the attributes of a highly civilized and enlightened commu- nity. The architecture and adornments of the city, the culture, education and manners of the inhabitants, their inborn courtesy and gen- erous instincts combine to explain the admira- tion which all who visit the city never fail to entertain and express. The cosmopolitan character of the population, the palatial resi- dences — ^the broad and spacious avenues, muse- ums, libraries, art galleries and other immis- takable signs of the high degree of culture of 82 THE ARGENTINE REPUBLIC the citizens, fully justify the 3escription of Buenos Aires as the Paris of the western hemi- sphere. Originally built up on Spanish lines of sin- gle-story houses and narrow streets, the mason has been superseded by the architect and many of the old narrow thoroughfares by wide and beautiful avenues intersecting the central por- tions of the city. The domestic architecture of the time of Rozas was gradually suc- ceeded by the introduction of the architectural beauty of the period of the Renaissance and subsequently by the various Grecian orders, cul- minating in the advent of European architects and artists who evolved many unique and dis- tinct styles which are to-day illustrated in a number of the imposing and artistic edifices that adorn the city and, with the surrounding parks, trees, gardens, flower^ beds and running waters, both in the centre and in the suburbs, reveal a panorama of im- surpassing beauty. Many of the ancient houses with flat roofs and severely sim- ple fa9ades have been substituted by highly THE ARGENTINE REPUBLIC 83 ornamented SiweUings of two, three, or more stories; and, with a desire to add to the em- bellishment of the city, the Municipality offers a gold medal and a diploma to the architect, and an immunity from payment of the building tax to the owner, of the building for the most artistic fajaJde, the jury being composed of representatives of different bodies exercising authority in relation to such matters £i3 ar- (diitecture, surveys, public works, engineering and fine arts. By the employment of these methods, Buenos Aires, in recent years, has niEide notable advance in architecture, not only in regard to private dwellings, but also in its public buildings and the unquestionable in- crease in number and quality of the monmnents, statues, and sculptural groups dotted over every part of the city. During the last twenty years there have been constructed new avenues and thoroughfares of great width and length lined by handsome buildings, paved with as- phalt and lighted with huge electric globes, whilst the Municipality has spared no expense in widening many existing streets to meet the* 84. THE ARGENTINE REPUBLIC growing demands of the population and to give more light and air to quarters of the city which are densely inhabited. The esthetic side of the city of Buenos Aires is to be found in its splendid museums, art galleries and public and private libraries, of which there are many of unquestionable merit. Amongst these, special mention should be made of the Natural History Museum, which is of great interest from the point of view of educational value and intellectual prog- ress. The Zoological, Botanical, Mineral, Archeological and Ethnographical specimens, numbering many thousands, have been classified on a scientific basis by eminent authorities over a period of many years and form a col- lection of objects and curiosities of nature un- excelled for their variety and interest. The National Historical Musetmi possesses a col- lection of historic trophiea and works, manu- scripts, ancient coins and other olyects, over 4,000 in number. Here are also halls and gal- leries, containing portraits of the Viceroys, pictures of naval and military battles, trophies THE ARGENTINE REPUBLIC 85 of the war with Great Britain, the room in which San Martin lived and died, furniture, uniforms, arms, decorations and a variety of other articles of great historic interest. On the same order and limited to its expressed purpose, there is a Museum of Arm? which contains a collection of weapons with records of their authenticity attached. In this col- lection there are many specimens of rare weapons and accoutrements of different pe- riods ranging from the fourteenth to the eigh- teenth centuries. There are, hesides, many flags and other articles associated with the wars of different periods. Of much more re- cent date and, perhaps, also of greater prao- tical interest, is the Natural Agricultural Mu- seum, the objects of which are to promote the knowledge of agriculture by instructive ex- hibits and to demonstrate the measures best adapted to the scientific methods of cultiva- tion and to overcome the natural drawbacks be- setting that branch of national industry. The collection comprises upwards of twenty thou- 86 THE ARGENTINE REPUBLIC sand specimens of agricultural products of every description as well as statistics and in- formation pertaining to rural economy. The libraries of the city are both extensive and numerous and contain in addition to mod- em works of importance in diflFerent languages bibliographical treasures of different periods representing the world's various cycles of literatui^. The public and private art galleries of the city with their varied collections embrace a great number of old masters and of modern productions in painting, sculpture, pottery, engraving and every form of art representing all known periods and all nations. First amongst these exhibitions is the Museum of Kne Arts, which contains a number of important works collected and arranged with great skill and taste, whilst many of the private galleries have been especially erected in the palaces of wealthy residents for the purpose of housing some of the priceless objects which are to be found in the capital of the Argentine Republic. A feature of striking interest in the life of THE ARGENTINE REPUBLIC 87 Buenos Aires is the number and excellence of the many hospitals, asylums and other chari- table organizations established to provide for the afflicted and poorer classes of the commu- nity. Apart from those endowed by the vari- ous foreign colonies residing in the city, the majority of these iiistitutions are largely sup- ported by State aid in form of appropriation or specific revenues. On the other hand, vast sums are privately subscribed to those not en- tirely of an oflBcial character. As a great commercial centre, the aspect iand movement of the city are equally striking. The port, Hocks, railroad depots, wharves, warehouses, street railways, lighting and other signs of industrial activity abound in every di- rection and make Buenos Aires to the Argen- tine Republic what New York is to the United States. It is, moreover, the principal mart for the agricultural and pastoral products of many of the leading ranches of the Republic and draws to its periodical sales of wool, hides, cattle and sheep, buyers from many foreign countries. 88 THE ARGENTINE REPUBLIC Buenos Aires, like many other great capi- tals, is confronted with the difficulty of a con- gestion of traffic owing to the large increase of population and the narrowness of the streets in the older sections of the city, but this problem is being gradually solved by the con- struction of new broad diagonal avenues and by the building of subways which are now being rapidly extended. With all these evidences of progress on every side, it will not be a surprising revelation to add that Buenos Aires possesses some of the greatest newspapers, one of the finest Opera Houses and the finest Club Houses in the world. There are other large and flourishing cities in the Repub- lic, such as Rosario, Santa Fe, Cordova, La Plata (capital of the province of Buenos Aires) and Bahia Blanca, but the City of Buenos Aires is the brain and heart of the Re- public and must always maintain its supremacy as the leading metropolis of Latin America. END