Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-09-19

subject to limitations. When the immi-
grant or colonist begins to take advantage
OF the citizenship privileges which ex-
| tended to him he also will take the first
step toward correcting the local abuses OF
which he complains, often justly. So long
as he remains absolutely aloof and alien
to all his surroundings the task of the
national government is made very difficult.
The Italians have been by far the largest
element in the immigration for thirty years
and they have taken the least root. They
are good artisans and railway laborers.
and those from northern Italy have helped
to establish the fruit industry. nurseries
for tree culture, and poultry raising. They
are Industrious. but the complaint is uni
versal that they have no permanency. But
in spite of the talk that the Italians come
and go and leave traces behind them
there seem to be some of a second gene
ration who have fused with the Argentine
national life and are becoming part of it.
The present period is notable one in
public affairs, hardly an epoch yet the be-
ginning of a political experiment which
may reach farther than is anticipated. A
national political convention has been called
to nominate the candidate for the presi-
dency. Designate is the word which
comes a little closer to describing its func-
tionS than nominate. President Roca's
term expires next year. The convention to
name his successor will be held in October.
1t is something new, partly the outgrowth
of the electoral law passed not long ago
and partly effort to meet new political
conditions. The electoral law, though 1t
has some defects, appears to be real step
in the direction of popular government
Convention of "Ex's"
The direct measures for the convention
were taken by a preliminary gathering of
notables. Notabes is used in the French
sense rather than in it's English signifca-
ton. In this case it meant political lead
ers. They agreed on a general program
for a convention which should include as
delegates the ex-presidents ex-vice presi-
dents ex-cabinet ministers eX-supreme
court and other justices. ex- diplomatic rep
reSentauVeS, eX-congreSsmen and eX-gov-
errors of the provinces. This recognition of
former officials is based on the old Spanish
theory that public service is entitled to
consideration after the public servant has
become a private citizen.
These"eX's are what may be called the
passive forces The active ones whose par
ticipation is provided for include the sena-
tors and representatives in congress, pro-
fessors in the national universities general
officers of the army and navy, the archbish-
ops and bishops of the Catholic Church,
since the church is a government institu-
ton directors of the various commercial
bodies which have a semi-official standing,
and certain agricultural societies. In all
provision is made for 800 delegates and 800
will attend All of the societies which have
been invited to take part may not do so,
but it is settled that several hundred per-
sons will meet designate the candidate for
President and adopt a platform.
Protests against the notables are heard,
criticism is sharp and their motives are
impugned 1t is pointed out by the critics
that in this array of classes, the popular
class that is to say the people, are not
specially invited. / do not know whether or
not popular government has made progress
enough in the Argentine for a national
convention on a basis purely representa-
tive but the though occurs that If one gath
ering of this kind can be held, rival one
also can be evolved
The Argentine presidents expectations
from the convention recently have been
published in a Rio Janeiro journal have
had no opportunity to learn them myself
for during my call on Gen. Roca, after dis
posing of official matters. he branched on
into a talk on President Roosevelt's de-
scription of ranch life and hunting, which,
as he is a sportsman himself, he greatly
enjoys reading. Plenty of men are good
hunters" he said, land plenty of men can
write good books. but there are few who
can hunt and write so well about 1t them
selves as your President does"
But this has nothing to do with Argentine
politics and the national convention. Who
the candidate will be is yet unknown. The
men who represent the very heavy foreign
investments say that the successor of Gen.
Roca is not of so much Importance as his
carrying out the present policies which, in
spite of some criticism, have been in the
main satisfactory and have strengthened
the country's credit. They look on the
announcement or platform useful in
this sense and they are content with the
outlook.
whether the opposition will also hold a
convention this year and nominate can
didate I have not been able to determine.
The notables have the advantage of organi-
cation. but there Is enough antagonism to
insure lively campaign. If the opposition
does not regularly enter the lists in the
election next year the precedent set by this
convention Of notabIes nevertheless will not
be lost. Not many years will pass till all
of the political parties of Argentina will be
holding national conventions and nominate
ing their respective candidates for thl
presidency. CHAS. N. PEPPER.