The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-07-29
THE ARGENTINE REPUBLIC


The sudden aud unexpected outbreak of
revolution in La Plata, or the Argentine
Republic, calls our attention to that riran-
tic land which, like an immense octopus.
stretches its arms from the hot forests OF
Bolivia in the north toward the lev plains
OF Patagonia in the south, and from the
rugged peaks Of the Andes in the west to-
wards the swamps and low localities of
Brazil and Paraguay in the east.
This really gigantic land, consisting of
fourteen provinces and four territories,
traversed by an immense river 400 miles
long and by many other numerous streams,
IS now convulsed by civil war, though the
origin of it Is far different from the strife
which is going on now in Central America.
The cause of war in Central America. as il
was shown in the Posr-IsTELLfsEScER. is
OF political character. in the Ar
gentine Republic it Is the con-
sequence OF the financial condition
of the country. La Plata and especially
the province and the city Of BuenCs Ayres,
borrowed so much money. its merchants
had so much credit In the European mar
kets, that the resources of the country had
finally to give way. The stores of traders
are full of merchandise, the government
built railroads, wharfs and splendid public
buildings; thousands of immigrants were
brought free of charge, but when the day
OF payment had come there was no money
In the treasury sufficient to pay all the ex-
penses, and il was impossible to borrow
any more. Hence the revolution, and for
this reason the wrath of the popul alton 10
directed more against Senior Garcia. minis.
ter OF finance, than against the president,
Celman. OF course the trouble sooner or
later win pass over, and the splendid coun.
try Of Rosas and Of Roca will again recover
its former splendor and prosperity.
Argentine Republic, the country Of
heroes equal to those of the ancient Roman
empire, and of the leaders whose cruelty
became proyerbial, home OF the gigantic
struggle of the insurgents. and of the wild
struggles of the missionaries, who ever can
forget your
Argentine Republic, the country of
giants, not only of men, but also of sni-
mails. though prehistoric, your former his.
tory is even more interesting than the
present, for on the banks of the silvery La
Plata then lived once huge animals, lowest
in America. wonder Of the geologists, ter
ror of the past!
Argentine Republic, though perhaps no
more beautiful, you are more individual
than other countries of South America.
You are level like the ocean. and through
your immense pampas. there travel day by
day, night by night, long caravans, bring
ing silver of Bolivia to the golden gates of
Buenos Ayres.
Argentine Republic, home of the gau-
chos and of no less wild horses. In the
south you rear the guanaco. in the west
the alpaca, in the north the matamata,
while in your middle there roam among
the tail grass the viscachas, the wild cattle
and the largest birds of the continent, the
American ostrich. In your eastern swamps
the armadillo, the polecat. the riverhog, the
puma and the iaguar live together, unmo-
Tested by hunter. avoided by the bold
gaucho. while toward Chile the tiny hum
mingbird mingles with the huge condor Of
the Andes.
Land of wonders how to describe your
The Argentine Republic. as it is known,
is an immense plain. with the giant chain
Of the Andes in the west. The country is
traversed from north to south through the
river La Plata, which is formed by the
junction of Uruguay and Parana, rising in
the high plateau Of Brazil. The other
rivers are Paraguay, Pilcomayo, Vermejo
and Salado. in the basin of the La Plata,
The most important of the provinces are
Entre-Rios and Buenos Ayres, and the
principal city is Buenos Ayres. containing
now, when am writing this, at least
100000 inhabitants, being thus the largest
city in South America. and. in fact, in ali
the Spanish America. The city has pros
pered wonderfully, and its growth in thelast
decade surpassed all expectations. A rival
to Buenos Ayres is the new city of Rosa
rio. north of the capital very fourishint
and rich town. The other places of inn.
portance are Parana, the former capital
240 miles north of Buenos Ayres; Cordoya,
an old city of about sc, 600 inhabitants; Co
rientes. with 10000 population; Tucuman
and Salta, on the road to BOLIVIA; San
Juan, Santiago, Catamarca, and others. A
very important place is Mendoza already,
in the Andes. situated on the great COM
mercial road across the mountains between
Valparaiso and Buenos Ayres.
The country is nothing else but q vast
plain or pampa, traversed, as already men,
toned. by numerous rivers. among which
the most important Is the La Plata This
gigantic river is navigable for large vessels
for over 1.300 miles, and Is very wide. At
Buenos Ayres, 200 miles from its mouth,
1t is thirty miles broad, though at that
place is not very deep, the steamers and
large vessels neing obliged to anchor far
outside the city. 1t deepcns, however,
afterwards, and in the interior Of the re-
public forms . splendid artery Of comn>~.
nication. 1t may be in place to mention
here that on the other side of the river,
almost opposite Buenos Ayres. is situated
Monteyideo, the beautiful capital Of the
small but rich republic of Uruguay.
The great plain of the pampas can Be
divided into three portions First, the re-
gion of thistles and clover. Then tho land
of long grass. which in spring makes the
pampa to appear like an immense lswn.
In autumn, when the seeds of grass are
rips, the pampa looks like an ocean COW
cred with rolling, silvery waves. Then
lastly, there is the region Of low trees and
shrubs.
A very peculiar part of the pampa II the
so-called Ell gran Chaco, q wild and unex~
plored region, situated in the northeast Of
the republic. 1t is inhabited by warIike
and fierce Indians, and Is in every respect
perfect terra incognita-
Toward the Brazilian frontier dense and
virgin forests predominate, and In the
southwest are numerous salt lakes and
swamps- The pampas are in reality one
vast prairie, on which innumerable herds
OF cattle and wild horses roam, and form
the chief and principal wealth Of the coun.
try.
These immense plains are the homes not
only of thousands of animals, but also OF
the so-caIled gauchos. This peculiar people
are q race half Indian and half Spanish.
with admixture OF Portuguese blood.