Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-05-05
A MERE BAGATELLE.
Commercial Relations of the United
States With South America
NOT WHAT THEY OUGHT TO BE.
Progress Made BY the Argentine Republic
in Building Roads.
OTHER TALKS ON VARIOUS SUBJECTS

Samuel W. Thome, q Government En-.
gineer of the Argentine Republic, is at the
Duquesne Hotel. Mr.. Thome registers
from Buenos Ayres, but he is an American,
and cousin of Howard Jones, a son oi
Judge Jones. Mr.. Thome has been in the
Republic for 10 years, and came North to
visit his home. He is so we'll pleased with
South America, and particularly the Argen-
tine Republic, that he has concluded to re-
main there. He says the Americans don't
know anything about the South Americans.
He finds the population a mixed one, but
they are very intelligent people. Most Of
them are educated in Europe, and those in
charge of the Government are bright.
Mr.. Thome SAYS that even if line of
American steamers was subsidized, and run
to South America, it would accomplish
nothing unless the tariff was removed. The
people of the two countries would find they
couldn't barter with each other. Continu-
Ing, Mr.. Thorne said:
A MERE BAGATELLE.
1.-THE commercial relations OF the United
States are mere bagatelle, not having yet
reached per cent of the total importation.
You have failed to take advantage of the
opportunities that have been offered for Sc
curing demanding trade in the River Platte.
The treaties with the Republic were ex-
pressly intended to promote and encourage
commercial relations between the two coun-
tries, but American apathy to the progress
of other nations has prevented the United
States from getting its share of the trade of
the Argentine Republic. ....
'The two principal industries of the
country are cattle raising and agriculture.
Cattle raising, however, is in a state of
decadence, having grown only 81 fold since
1854, while agriculture has inceased IL fold.
To re-estaolish grazing the Government
offered bounties on expectations of cattle,
either on the hoof or as beef. The result has
been that the value of cattle has risen, in 80
years, from S91, 900. 900 to 1881 ,OOO. 900. The
bounty law has had the effect to encourage
the cattle men, and various methods have
been suggested for the conservation of beef
while many societies have been formed for
the purpose of exporting cattle on the hoof
In 1887 this industry for wool, hides, dairy
products, meat and tallow amounted to
SIG, 900.
COMPARATIVE FIGURES.
''At present we have 1900, 900 cuadras
under cultivation, producing crop
value of over e14,0O0, 900, or $500, 600
acres and 500, SOC, 900. The proportion
is nearly two acres per inhabitant,
while in the United States it is only three
acres. The province of Santa Fe is the
richest in agriculture and in agricultural
colonies containing more than one-third of
all the tillage in the Republic. Up to this
time the cheapness OF the imported articles
has impeded the establishment of indus
tries to work up the raw materials, but the
time is soon coming when such plants will
be started.
"The form of government is almost like
that of the United States. Each province
has complete control of Its own affairs,
electing its own Legislature and Governor.
The Federal Government has its budget;
each of the provinces makes up its state
ment and can raise loans at will. During
the first five years the Government has ex.
pended e14, 100000 in internal improve
ments, and the effect is visible in the activ-
ity that has been produced.
IMPORTANCE OF RAILROADS.
"During the same time the loans for rail-
ways, public works, colonization of land
companies, etc., amounted to 96, ,915, $50.
The President realizing that railroads have
been responsible ior the country's rapid de-
veIopment, recommended in his inaugural,
in 1887, that network of tracks be run to
all parts of the Republic, and that it be
done by public and private capital. The
banking system of the country continues to
be enormous, but it is not too large in
proportion to the activity and trade. About
200, 900 immigrants come in annually,
They are principally Italians and people
from 1.-THE southern countries OF Europe.
They come in we'll to break up new soil and
work on the railroads.
''No, the Republic is not the most desira-
BILE place for a young man. The competi-
tion is greater because he comes in contact
with all kinds of foreigners, and I don't
an English speaking country, for example.
But the Republic is progressive and forging
to the front"