New-York tribune., 1907-05-13

Ho1c officers Are Tr@ned-Yisitors
at WashingtOn.
From The Trlbune Bureau. /


Washington, May 12.-Tue Presidente Sarmiente,
training ship Of the Argentine navy. which came
10 this country to take part in the naval display
at the jamestown exposition. has been in Wash
ingtOn Harbor for the last week. and has been
visited by numerous residents of the city. besides
having been the scene OF of the pleasant social
affairs of the week. The presence of this ship has
served to call attention the Argentine method
of training officers for the navy. The candidate
Tor a commission must first serve an apprentice
ship of five years training ship before being
admitted to the naval academy, where he must
take four years course similar to the course at
Annapolis. In this period of apprenticeship the
candidate for commission is obliged perform
ali the work usually done by common sailors and
IS gradually instructed in the practice of naviga-
ton and gunnery most of the theoretical training
being given when the candidate enters the naval
academy at which time he becomes naval
cadet The Presidentc Sarmente. which is
manded 10y Captain Moneta, has fourteen candi-
dates apprentices under the supervision and in
structCn Of Captain de Ia Fuente. These young
men have not shared in the social courtesies which
have been extended to the officers of ship and
will not do so until after they enter the naval
academy
The second officer of the Presdente Sarmiente
is Commander BalIve and the engineer is Ensign
Marty. Tie officers have all been entertained by
the Secretary of State Secretary the Navy
and the Secretary of War, and to-day they gave a
reception. followed by informal dance, board
their ship. by way of returning the hospitalities
extended to them.
While Argentina has naval programme consist
ing of the construction and commission of four
rcSre5 gaSs naIenps Poye which Is said to be
naval forces the existing naval establishment is
not large II is significant feature of the quality
OF the vessels which have hitherto constituted the
Argentine navy. however, that the government IS
al present engaged In putting in boilers and
nulls OF which went into commission twenty-seven
years ago At present the Argentine navy consists
some smaller fast vessels t0eether with coast de-
i
The officers Of the Presidente Sarmiente appear
to take the utmost pride in explaining to Ameri-
of their country. and the figures which they pre-
sent afford striking evidence of the commercial
the total foreign commerce of the Argentine Re
public amounted 1858 100000 against n total
foreign commerce OF s2S0O00O0O four years 1t
is also noteworthy that the foreign commerce OF
of S23.o10no0. The growth OF the agricultural
sources of the nation has not only been extraor-
from 100000 I'm 1855 10 300oO0O0 in 1905.
but IL estimated that eventually the total acre
age under cultivation VIII amount TO 100000 600
acres. ten times what II is at present.
The Presidcnte Sarmiente left Washington to-day
for New York. where brief visit Will be made.
and It is probable that Captain Moneta will take
the naval regatta under the auspices OF the
German Emperor next month.
Captain MOneta and tho officers Of the Presidente
Sarniente gave reception Saturday on board
their ship. at which they entertained many of the
foreign naval officers now in Washington, as well
as many officers OF the American navy. band
stand placed the engine room skylght,
the deck waXed. and dancing followed the moro
formal part of the entertainment. Refreshments
were served in the officers wardrOom. Tho Prssi-
dcnte Sarmente which is a fun rEgcd ship we'll
steamer. looked especially ettracuXe with her
her guns and metal work cleaning In the afternoon
sunlight