The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1890-08-17

wealths. To any one who has visited that
part Of the world this is bad enough per Sc
What makes matters worse rs that the in
surrection should have broken out in che
Of the handsomest cities of the South
American continent. Whatever the ulti-
mate political result may be, the city has
been terribly damaged, its commercial
prosperity injured, and its growth checked
for at least the next ten years.
The city of Buenos Ayres is a capital, a
metropolis and even more. On account Of
the river system of the continent it COM
mands not only the trade of its own land
but also goodly part Of that OF Uruguay,
Paraguay and Brazil While thoroughly
Spanish it is almost IS polyglot as New
York. Its population contains heavy rep
RESERVATIONS from Italy, Porting gal, Greece,
France, Germany, England, Ireland, Scot
land, Holland, Denmark and China, as well
as large numbers Of negroes, Indians and
half breeds. In the past decade it has re-
ceived as many if not more Italian immi-
grants as the entire United States. Along
side of it the other Argentine municipal
ties, such as Rosario and Cordovan, sink
into insignifcance Its relation to the ma
ton is the same as would be that of New
York TO the United States, were the latter
to have population of 9,000,0 with Chi
cago and Philadelphia cut down to 500, 900
apiece.
The site of the city is admirable It lies
upon the west bank of the great La Plata
river, which at this point is huge arm of
the sea, incapable of doing damage by
freshet or inundation, and almost so by
heavy storm or high tide. The land slopes
~ h;
terror, being a part of the same geologic
formation as the famous pampas or plains
inland. The soil is fertile, and contains
enough sand and gravel to give it a superb
natural drainage. AS a consequence there
is but little marsh land and little or no
malaria orZymotic diseases. As compared
with Montevideo, Rio de Janiero, Bahia
and Pernambuco, Buenos Ayres is cleaner,
drier, cooler and far more healthful.
The original architects of the city were
wiser than those of the older North Amer
lean cities, and laid the place out upon
broad and liberal lines. The streets are
wide, straight and handsome, and every
here and there parks and public squares
afford breathing spaces and lounging
places to the citizens. The two leading
squares were recently the entrenched
camps of the government and the revolu-
tionists. That of the former, the Plaza
Victoria, or Victoria square, is situated at
the east end, or oldest part of the city,
almost on the rivers bank 1t is mass
of fine trees and beautiful vegetation, well
lighted by gas and electricity, and contain
ing many fine works of art. Around it
are four lines Of large buildings, including
the cathedral, archiepiscopal palace, the
Central National bank, city hau, custom
house, government Office building and
police headquarters.
The government buildings are large and
commodious, and about as ugly as the
New York postohice. Their Smelling by
the insurgent gunboats will therefore be
a blessing in disguise. The cathedral is a
very noble edifice. 1t is massive pile 15S
feet wide and 2S3 feet long. The front is a
perfect reproductions of Corinthian temple
at the best period of Greek art, and its in
terror is famous for its beauty and COM
fort. The only drawback IS a clumsy dome,
which suggests a monster rife bullet, and
which is as ugly as the facade is beautiful
Unlike in Brazil. the church IN Buenos
Ayres has not antagonized the intelligent
Glasses, and enjoys popular respect and,
what Is more important, support. The
cathedral is without exception the best
architectural feature OF the city and is
daily visited by travellers from every part
Of the globe.
The other great square which was held by
the insurgents IS the Plaza L&valle or Plaza
ParQue Park square), which lies about sew
en- blocks or seven-eighths of mile from
Victoria square. 1t is OF the same dinaA-