The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-08-27
THE ARGENTINE REPUBLIC,
"A Country with Which We Should Have Close
Trade Relations.

WASHINGTON, Aug. 26.-In the report of
the South American Commission prepared for
Congress in the visit to Argentine Re-
public, they say: "More than forty steam.
ers monthly leave the harbors of Buenos
Ayres for foreign ports, laden with
the products Of the valley of the river Platte,
the largest component of which is the political
division known as the Argentine Republic.
There are also, every month, hundreds of sail
ing vessels departing from the same city, having
cargoes almost wholly destined to European
ports. Not one of those steamers flies the flag
of our country, and only one in five of the
sailing vessels is an American bottom.
Thirty years ago our country enjoyed a lar ge
and prosperous commerce with the Platte Valley,
but since the advent of steam communication
and the effect Of the civil war on our ocean
marine, the flag of our nation is rarely seen in
these waters, and the petty nations of the old
world are better known throughout that country
than our own. Yet every American of long resi-
dence in this country, and every citizen of itwho
has travelled in our land, will tell you the Argen-
tine Republic is the United States of South
America. In many respects this observation is
founded en- striking similarlties. In round mum
bers, the area of the republic covers !, 200, 900
square miles. The northern limit lies under
tropical skies; in the central region there are
vast plains, where feed, as the President in
formed us. over sc. 900. 900 head of sheep and from
16, 600, 900 to Is, 600, 600 head of cattle. in addition
to droves of horses of uncounted numbers. One
owner has over GO, GOO mares that he is about to
slaughter for their hides and grease"
The report gives in detail the products of the
country; says that many tons of wheat and
-four areebeing exported, and that a portion of
the land seems to have a capacity for the pro-
duction of the two grains of the world, or at
least of Europe. The soil and climate are
sx,onn;G, h-% ~ ynvvan baA w. ~ ~ 411
as to make it necessary TO feed stock. Sheep
raising has increased 81 per cent. since 1876, and
is largely in the hands of British subjects.
There has been no increase in the herds of
cattle. The country has 2, 800 miles of railroads
built, and many thousand miles more projected.
Foreign colonies have been encouraged for many
years, and Italy has sent a larger number
of immigrants into the country than
any other Nation. They are so numerous that
they could take possession of the government if
they so wilhelm fact, it was once feared they
would do so. The government fosters educa-
ton, contributing 81, 600. 600 toward it this year.
There are twenty-five normal schools taught by
American ladies according to our system, and
these ladies are praised very highly. There are
also two universities and fourteen national col
leges, and a school of mines and agriculture.
The report continues:
'On the leading questions-how can better
relations, friendly and commercial, between the
Republic and the United States be established
u tIIo l. ICSIuChC cthu CLlC las VI IoEciSu
Affairs returned the same answer: Create
frequent steamship communication They
expatiated at some length on its
benefits to both sides. They saw in
it a better acquaintance on their
own part with the habits and policy of our coun-
try. They believed that their own people would
take on broader and more generous views when
once they came into close business contact with
our own land. They claimed that if the United
States thoroughly comprehended the vastness of
the undeveloped wealth of this region, it's money
and sons would flow here in streams. Hence it
was that the Argentine government stood . edy,
at any time the United States would fos. the
scheme. to unite with it on just terms in estab-
fishing frequent and cheap steam communication
between their respective countries. The earn
estness of both the President and the minister
on this question was very manifest. It will be a
great mistake if the Argentine Republic is not
attached to the United States by far stronger
ties than those which exist to-day. the way to
it is easy and Open.'