New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-04-26
ARGENTINA MOVING FORWARD
THE REV. DIR. THOMPSON TELLS OF THE
SOUTHERN REPUBLIC.
ITALIAN IMMIGRATION A PROMINENT FACTOR
IN ITS DEvELOPMENT-AMERICA WOMEN
AS TEACHERS SEEKING RE-
LIGIOTS LIBERTY.

As TEACHERS ne
LIGIoUs LIBERTY.
The Rev. DR. ]. F. Thompson. who has been a
prominent missionary Of the Methodist Episcopal
Church in Bueros Ayres for twenty-eght years and
resident of that country for forty years Is now,
by permission Of the Church in this country, on a
short visit here. but will return to his life work
next month
In a talk with a Tribune reporter on Tuesday he
spoke Of the various interests Of his country as
follows:
when the Brazilian Empire was overthrow only
a limited number OF the officers Of the navy were
taken into the confidence of the leaders Of the
revolution, having supposed that only change OF
Cabinet proposed and being greatly surprised
that the form of government was changed by their
cooperation. The brazilian people are in favor
Of a republican form OF government, and there Is
no chance of their returning to a monarchcal
system. In relation to the development OF the
Argentine. Uruguay and Chill. their progress may
be represented by curved line They have their
ups and downs but they never retrograde. They
hold every conquest that is achieved for the good
OF the people and they earnestly striving to
keep step to the music that is played by their great
sister Of the north. the United States The best
emgrants. according to their estimates. to
these countries are the Italians Every eighth per-
son is either Italian or the son Of an Italian
In the city Of Buenos Ayres. containing popula
ton OF 100000. 90 per cent Of the artisans. that is
bricklayers blacksmiths. carpenters. shoemakers
tailors etc. are of the Italian nationality The
enterprise OF these Italians be IN the fact
that large numbers OF them come over from Italy
by steamship work in the Argentine wheat har-
vest returning home at Its close to gather the har
vest in their own land. going to and fro every year
and spending two months of the year the ocean.
These Italians have no winter; their life is a per-
peual summer.
THE Argentine Republic stands in the front
rank OF all the South American republics in point
Of education. 10 per cen; Of her adult population
being able to read and write This result Is
largely due to the influence OF the work Of Ameri-
can teachers who have been going down
to that country since the days OF President Sar
miento. and establishing normal schools In every
large city OF the fourteen provinces (or States that
constitute the republic. The agricultural interests
are steadily increasing" said the Doctor. and we
have become great exporters of wheat, maize. or
Indian corn, and linseed. The future possibilities
in this direction almost unlimited for there
are tens OF thousands of SQUARE miles Of fertile
soil on which you will not find the stump OF tree
nor stone az big as ink bottle which makes
the soil easy OF cultivation. Those who are well
posted do not feel any great sympathy for the
wealthy bondhoders who are largely Engshmen.
ami who. metaphorically speaking. rammed their
loans down throats when. We were in no need
of money. partial explanation OF the deprecia-
ton Of our paper money will be found In the fact
that the earnings of our great railways, street car
companies, gas works brewerles and most i'm
portant banking Institutions find their way In the
shape Of gold coin TO Europe. and chiefly to Eng
land The remttances of the Italians and other
foreigners To their poor relatives In Europe are
also considerable drain stock Of the
worlds gold"
Dr. Thompson added. Il the Official inter
prefer Of John l. Stevens. recently Of Hawaii. when
he was United States Minister in Montevideo. and
bear ardent testimony 10 the sterling integrity and
genuine Amercansm OF that statesman and man
Of letters. No American citizen was too poor or too
lowly to merit the sympathy and protection of Mr..
Stevens In one instance a poor American negro had
been seized and carried to the barracks 10 be sent
dangerous occupation he entirely unfit. The
moment Mr.. Stevens heard Of the fact he went In
person to the barracks 10 explain the case to the
officers took his humble cOuntryman to the l.ega-
ton and provided him with ample protection against
a like occurrence This said the Doctor, was "A
true American example OF stepping to the front
when his countryman needed his aid
DR. Thompson spoke before the MetnOdlSt EliScO-
pal Preachers Meeting Monday last at Fifth
ave and Twcnteth-st. and expressed his delight at
institutions and approved of the liberty OF conscience
that had been recently expressed By high ecclesias-
Tic dignaries OF the Roman Catholic Church In this
country In view Of this profession he asked the
meeting 10 ndorse the action Of the Chicago breth-
rem In sending "A request to Archbishop Ireland to
secure the Intervention OF the Roman POntin In
favor Of legislation in Peru. Ecuador and Bolivia.
granting the same liberty OF conscience TO Protes
tants In countries that is enjoyed by the Roman
"a holes OF the United States. The preachers
ceded the reques; by the appointment OF "A
strong committee to give shape to their ndorse-