The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-06-18
THE ARGENTINE REPUBLIC.
THE PoLTTICIL AND ECONOMIC CON-
DITIoN or That COUNTRY.

Great Trade In Cattle-Cheeso and Vino
misunderstanding Export of Cereals.
BuENos AYREs. May 4.-Poltics forms the
keystone OF most Latin countries. and the
Argentine Republic Is no exception to tho rule.
Given freedom from political agitation and the
inevitable accom- paniment Of armed insurrec-
tonary out breaks, the natural resources Of
these Spanish American States rapidly develop
and give to the world the latent wealth COM
prised within their boundaries. For the mo-
ment In Argentina peace. 40 far as any pros
pect OF revolt against the Federal Government
Ia concerned. would seem to be assured n lit
tie energy on the part OF the population Ia all
that is needed to bring prosperity in substan-
tial measure. in spite Of the many drawbacks
undoubtedly existing and due to the crude
and impractical methods usually employed in
the administration Of public affairs. Presi-
dent Roca. whose term OF Office does not ex-
pire until the autumn OF 1904 Is a man fairly
well versed in the management Of official
business. having been in Office in a similar
capacity from 1890 to 1885, and having been.
further the real power behind the throne from
1890 to 1898. at which latter date the spon-
taneous wishes OF the great majority OF the
Inhabitants recalled him to the post Of Chief
Magistrate. Nor has the country much reason
to complain Of the choice made at n time
when the war cloud OF conflict between
Chill and Argentina daily threatened to
burst and plunge both nations into a
struggle that could only bring forth most
disastrous consequences for victor and van
pushed In the six months since Gen. Roca
assumed office he has succeeded in obtaining
q settlement Of the long standing frontier dis
pute with chilli. and paved the way for
economy in tho matter Of expenditure on war
material. an item in the national disbursements
IN for arnl ar hnc Inn bn
OF heavy additional taxation and the accumula-
ton Of ruinous burden of debt at home and
abroad. Disconnected individuals complain
that Roca has done nothing toward reforming
many OF the abuses with which the inter-
nal economy Of Argentina IL loaded. ana
hence profess to have lost confidence in him as
an administrator. These complaints are. how
ever. hardly Just in fact. The material with
which Roca has to work is for the most part OF
very poor clay. the Minister'S forming the Cabi-
net having small knowledge of craftsmanship
ana still less Of practical methods for discharg-
Ing the duties assigned to them. Now that
the danger Of war with Chill is ayerted the
President will have leisure to devote his atten-
ton to the best means of reducing taxation
improving the Police Department, inquring
into the question OF the administration OF JUS
tice and. finally. initiate n policy having in
view the attraction of immigration from Eu-
rope to people the vast areas Of fertile land
fitted in every way for settlement and needing
only the touch OF tho hand Of man to become |
productive.
The Federal Government has many difficult |
ties to contend with in any attempt to bring
about reforms, however badly these may be |
needed. The fourteen States constituting
the Argentine Republic enjoy absolute uu- |
tonomy in their local affairs under the terms
OF the national constitution. These States are |
extremely jealous of their rights and resent |
any interference Of the national authorities in |
matters, pertaining, to local administration,
Judiciary The intervention. of the Feiera |
Gppyernment Is only eop1stitutionally legal
acts are committed by the local cxccutiye |
being OF the inhabitants Of any particular |
State. Any such intervention invariably !
in the Federal Chambers and. Consequently. to |
he complete block Of all public business for |
! The he time being IN the circumstances, there |
trnment should always be chnry OF exercising
he power OF interference" unless action of the !
L the province Of Buenus Avres is an example
n9 sI, at the present moment of a condition
Eona authorities The Governor, DR. IriCoyen.
vas CONVINCED that the elections on March 81. |
iI Sy Hr" prascrs and
fused, to recognize the candidates returned
Cham the head SScd of the rM The local
the, province, had no. say in the matter |
end, after due scrutiny of the, returns.
TO take their seats. DR. IrGoyen then placed |
the Legis stature building in the hands of the |
n9dG ,hN VIII Grdrrs to H2w .ThS1dy to enter
forcibly suspended. As no solution Of the dis |
pute appeared probable the Federal Govern
In possession OF the provincial capital for the |
purpose Of in1uiring into the merits of the
government the words being quoted If n.
the 2fticial decree. on the subject The !
ture has arisen and can b" s"ttieIhythe poo"s
able Intervention Of the Federal authorities is |
pasns ac G &E6uJ the
forces into the field and tried conclusions at |
the point of the bayonet.
ment is such that with any capable Minister
IN charge Of the Treasury the revenue would |
and leave considerable margin Tor a rcduc-
ton OF taxati ion. The recnipts for tn" pre-, ent
will ba H. yca sad fG dor. Art 1m
the customs duties and some S5OUOO. 600 cur |
rency derived from internal excise stamps |
United states currency AZ the existing rate Of |
exchange The total value in round figures will |
less than So. 900 OuD after payment has been |
provided nnrvnh ior all debt rharscs nt home and
pcnses Of the ADMINISTRATION need not exceed
S2O,OOO.OOu nit"d States currency, and a |
balance Of Slo,M 90 ~ would be available for
the taxes the II haoitanIs are called upon to |
pay during the curr nj year.
The commerce # Argentina i in somewhat |
unhappy condition Just now. The great boom
OF 1SSito lSS'causcd such enormous initiation |
in all branches OF business that the reaction !
ntterWard was necessarily very severe. During |
those years OF unlimited credit speculation Of |
all kinds was rampant. Wildcat schemes Of |
every description Were thrown on the RuenOs |
Ayres market ana absorbed without "A thong hit |
OF any Investigation rs to SOundursS in the !
present or value IN III" iutur, Money poured |
into the country from Europe to an extent that !
induced the people TO hulirv" that the Rio |
Plate was a vrritahl" Fl Dorado and that |
their prosperity was assured for all time |
When the smash came in lSAO the amount |
OF thoroughly rotten business to be liuu- |
dated was OF vast proportions. To make ,
matters worse the currency IN circulation was |
lar IN excess Of the requirements of the inhah- !
ltantS and III" lnc0nv"rtiblr pnprr dollar the |
circulating medium Of everyday use. drpreci- !
area IN value uni the peso was worth only 20 |
cents IN gold For nine Years past the liuuda- |
tlon OF the transactions Of tho boom period has |
heeh gradually taxing place, and that painful |
operation which has h"ru so terrible 4 strain |
on the commercial community Is now practi- |
ChIy ended, Other elects resulting from the !
lHnliatlom 81 business in III" v"ars referred to ,
sun remain to "hurk any great mm date !
development one II these is the curse Of |
q hnciuat'ug currency which introduces |
INTO all trading transactions AN element |
OF SPECULATION and uncertainty extremely |