Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-04-22
PRESIDENT M|SQUOTED
Interview With Late Argentine
Minister to Washington.
PUBLISHED IN PINK BOOK
Official PRONUNCIATION by the Argen-
tine Republic.
M. GARCIA-MER0U THE AUTHOR
Statements Were Calculated to Make
Mischief if the President Left
Them Uncontradicted.
PUBLISHED IN PINK BOOK
M. GARCIA-MERoU THE AUTHOR


from Buenos Ayres, relative to the denial
by President Roosevelt of some matters
reported TO his government by the late
Senior Garcia-Merou, once minister TO
Washington for the Argentine Republic,
has excited the greatest interest among the
South American diplomatic representatives,
here. Mr.. Beaupre, United States minis
ter to Buenos Ayres, who is Neu leave OF
absence from his post, spent an hour with
the acting secretary of state yesterday,
and later Senior Portela, who succeeded
Garcia Merou as Argentine minister here,
was also cIoseted With the same official for
some time The Argentine minister did not
care to discuss the subject for publication.
Indeed, he said he knew nothing Of IT, Tor
he had not examined the Argentine official
publication which contained the account OF
the matter In its first stages, but he would
do so at once.
M Garcia-Merou's Report.
The Argentine Pink Book. corresponding
wrIh our own Red Book of foreign rela-
lions, has been in the various legations in
Washington for some time past, but,
strangely enough, this particular chapter
escaped the attention of the usual readers
of the volume.
1t purports to contain an account by
House between President Roosevelt and
himself, relative to American affairs of
political character. II may be noted at this
point that Garcia-Mero is dead. He was
transferred from Washington to the Ar
gentine legation at Berlin about year ago,
but was taken with a mortal illness and ex-
pired three months ago.
Presidents Action Necessary.
1t was soon seen here that the state
ments he had attributed to the President
were calculated to make serious mischief
In the relations of the United States with
the other republics of South America If LETT
uncontradicted. Perhaps no notice would
have been taken officially of them, how
ever, had not the interview been pubhshed
to the world IN the Pink Book But
that publicity made some action neces-
sary here, so the President caused a note
to be addressed to the Argentine Tor
eign office, declaring that he had been
greatly misrepresented in the publication,
and that nothing was further from his
mind than to reflect in the slightest degree
upon any OF the South American republics.
He also desired equal publicity for his de-
NAL with that given the original interview,
and the Argentine government appears TO
have endeavored to meet his wishes In that
respect by publishing his note in the OF
hcial paper.
The Original Report.
The original report was made to his gov
ernment by Garcia Merou, under date of
April /. 1905. and the Objectionable matter
was contained in the following excerpt:
The President gave me an audience for
half-past . yesterday. Shortly before the
hour set l met in the White House Com
mandant Monies of the frigate Sarmiento
and his adiutant. Lieutenant of the Navy
Moreno. Not having previously had an OPP
portunity to present the naval attache of
this legation. Don Luis A. Ian, and the sec
retaries. Don Carlos f. Zavalia and Don
Jorge Reyes, | had these officials accom-
pany me. On arriving at the White House
we were introduced into the blue parlor
where generally are received diplomats and
visiting foreigners. Principally at half past
the President entered, and proceeded i'm
mediately to present the persons mentioned
After saying to each one a courteous word,
all remaining standing in the center of the
parlor. in accordance with the established
etiquette Of the country for audiences of
this class. Mr. Roosevelt directed to u.s.
with the energetic and emphatic tone that
IS peculiar to him the following words,
which reproduce practically verbatim:
Argentina's Progress.
There could not be given to me a more
pleasant or more desired opportunity than
the present to inform you, Mr. Minister, of
the high appreciation, admiration and sym
pathy with which l feel the phenomenal
progress OF the Argentine Republic Your
country interests US greatly. and the power
and riches that IL has now obtained attract
us and convince US that you are called to
be in the south the defenders of the Monroe
doctrine, as we are in the north. l do not
wish to offend any nation, but l may say
among us that l should desire that the
states which border on the Caribbean sea
Venezuela. Colombia and the others-should
rise and see beyond their mountains the
example Of the truly phenomenal progress
repeating the Words OF Argentina and see
there lesson and an example 10 initiate
You destined a form in ha
fury one OF the great powers OF the world
ana your progress will be analogous and
parallel TO that of the United States. To
tho greatest extent possible / state and feel
with the greatest interest the advance of
the Argentine Republic. and l have a great
affection for your country
i replied to the President In English:
These words fill US with satisfaction not
only as coming from the chief OF one of the
greatest nations Of the earth for which we
had always the greatest admiration and
sympathy. but likewise because his person.
aIity gave to them a special Importance
and II was universally known and respected
among us that In fact the progress OF the
Argentine Republic was extraordinary and
that the last Information 1 had received
from my country continued to be extremely
satisfactory. since the former prosperity Of
our country had become strengthened and
consolidated in latter days. one OF our
greatest advantages as nation was the
position OF our race. being all of exclusive
european extraction. since We had not the
indlan and negro element, which mixture
predominated in other American Countries
Permission Asked.
II begged his permission to transmit to my
government his words in a prudent form.
since / was certain that they would pro-
duce a grateful impression. The President
said to me than that might make this
communication. and added:
GU are right in what you. say with re-
spect to the superiority of race OF the Ar
gentine people. Brazil Is great country
but has the misfortune that the greater part
OF its territory is situated within the from
ical zone. and consequently is not Suitable
TO the white man. The same Is true of CO.
lombia. Venezuela. Peru and Central Amer
lea. have great consideration for Chile
but IL cannot be forgotten that the territory
of that country which is but a very narrow
streak between the mountain and the sea
offers but slight field for the expansion of
Its people and cannot be compared with the
greatness and wealth Of the Argentine ter
ritory. Yours IS great nation, and has all
the elements for a future of greatness'
Reading Room for Blind.
The folc ing is the program for volun-
teer readings and music In THE reading room
for the Hind af the 7 fhra~,r 60.