Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-10-03

and Parana. When the crops are growing
the monotony is less for waving fields of
wheat and corn are reStful to the eye But
at this season the only thing green is the
alfalfa. 1t is not the time for the wheat.
corn and linseed.
Argentine's Wealth in It's Soil.
The spring ploughing is just going on, and
after seeing some million burrows turned no
one can doubt that the wealth of Argentine
| is in its soil, which. industrially speaking,
compensateS for the lack Of picturesque
scenery in the central and southern regions.
The largest estancias have avenues and
groves of eucalyptus, willows, species of
poplar and pepper trees, and some extern
sive nurseries also have been established,
but these are not numerous enough to break
the evenness.l
Live stock Is less tiresome to the sight
than dead level land, but cattle, horses
and sheep when seen in fiocks and herds
like the battalions of an army, also weary
the eyes. In one day, 1t seemed to me,
saw and counted all the thirty million head
of cattleiwhieh the republic contains, mich
cows as well as beef animals. for the dairy
industry is going forward with prodigious
strides. The railroad makes the shorter
time from Buenos Ayres to Rosario-seven
hours-but the river boat Is more restful
when one wants to avoid agriculture.
The City Of Rosario.
The city has a population rising ~, 900,
some of which Is due to the port works.
The visitor is shown how the river has been
made accessible for the ocean steamers
which come up this far as we'll as the ves-
sells which come down the Parana. The
sugar refinery, the big wheat elevators and
other local industries also are worth see
ing. The Italians, French and Germans
seem to have most Of the trade, though the
English are represented.
After driving along the water front and
observing how extensive the commerce is
1t Is real pleasure to drive out the boule
ward to Victoria Park and note how COM
plete are the plans for creating beautiful
city and how well they are being carried
out Rosario, in Its plenitude of eucalyp-
tus trees and its coaxing sterile ground
into Larks, is a reminder of Denver years
ago, when that metropolis of the Rockies
was in the transformation stage 1t is
moreover, as ambitious as ever Denver was.
Cordoba has to be found. 1t Is not ON the
pampa, but 1t Is somewhere in the higher
levels, surrounded by serrated mountains
Coming from the south or east on the rail-
way the visitor is right on its edge before
he knows anything of a city. Arriving
from the north the train seems to be run
ming along the side Of an easy sloping hill,
with the city spreading out below. So
much is to be seen at Cordoba that with
limited time 1 compromised between duty
and incltna ton. Duty called for an inquiry
into material subjects, hides and wool, the
SicCtllC uSIl pidHt, the Dig reservoir on the
PrImero river, the agricultural experiment
school and variety of local industries In
clination led to the cathedral and the
memorials of the Jesuits, the university
with Its 300 years Of history, the museum
and the astronomical observatory The
courteous Cordoban who took me around
was identified with the university, and
when he was through with the historical
memorials and the evidence that Cordoba
Is present well as a past intellectual
fair compromise to visit the agricultural
school The director, Mr.. Baxter who is a
North American, was absent, but there
was opportunity to judge what is being
done. The work is~modest but well
planned, and with the continued support
and encoura cement Of the government Is
certain to develop.
Cordoba Observatory.
Fully as interesting as the historic me-
MORALS Of Cordoba is the modern institu-
ton, the astronomical observatory. 1t is
also to be classed among the useful instt-
tutions, and in visiting it, besides the per-
sonal qualification I had the feeling that
this made up for my failure to see more Of
the local industries. The observatory has
special attraction for visitors from the
United States. Its first director was Dr.
Gould, an American, and Prof. Thome, his
associate and successor, also is an Ameri-
can. -
DR.. Thome warns with enthusiasm when
he talks OF the work of the observatory and
ofthe liberality and progressiveness Of the
Argentine government The observatory al
ready has done its share in advancing the
scientific knowledge Of the world, has map
ped the southern heavens and has made
contributions to, astronomy that would have
been impossible without the support that
has been freely extended. DR.. Thome is
also a eulogist Of the Argentine govern
ment and people for their conciliatory dis
position in dealing with their neighbors
in the boundary disputes and other irrt-
tating questions as well as for their pref
erence ofspeaeeful and progressive policies.
The tribute of the scientist is sincere praise
1t should be balm for the wounds of ma
tional pride caused by ignorant and ma
licious criticism
The Argentine Railways.
Having to travel so much on the rail-
ways, I have made some comparison be-
tween the Argentine lines and those of the
United States. AS the country is thinly
populated the comparisons would not hold
for short distance travel in the thickly in
habited states. but would be applicable to
the northwest or southwest, where one
through train daily Is all that the passen-
ger traffic demands.
The Argentine government operates some
of the railways. and does 1t very WELL but
the greater part of the lines are owned and
operated by private companies More than
One-half the total. which comprises IL 600
miles, is broad gauge. five feet six inches
The standard gauge prevails in the prov
ince of Entire Rios, and the extent of this
system Is nearly LOCO miles. The remainder
= kI~~s1. g.