The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1908-02-06

Roca. 10 had occupied the place be-
tween 1850 and 1856, was again elected
President.
The Argentine Representative.
Argentina is represented in this coun-
try by Senior Don Epifanio Portela, En-
voy Extraordinary and Minister Pleni-
potentiary from the Argentine Repub-
lie. The Legation is established in
handsome building near the head of
Sixteenth street, from which flies the
sslue and white flag with the sunburst
OF the Silver Republic. Senior Portela
Is fine specimen of the Latin type as
developed in South America and a fit
uniy representative for his great and
growing country. He is a man of mid
ole hight, with frank, open counte-
nahSe, a clean, penetrating glance and
thef easy, assured manner of a man of
the, world and a diplomat He has I'M
usual experience in public affairs to
Make him well-rounded and adaptable,
While keeping to the front all the time
that his main interest in life is in adj
vancing the interests of the Argentine
Eonfederation at home and abroad. He
fhad the usual education in his youth OF
young men of good families, and during
Grants Administration came to this
country as Attache of the Argentine
Legation He had determined to devote
himself to diplomacy. His next position
was that of Secretary of the Legation
to Montevideo. Then he returned home,
went in,o local politics, became editor
of La Nacion, the leading paper; was
elected three times Representative in
the Argentine Congress, resigning after
q second term TO become q director in
the National Bank, which is managed
by the Government. Later he was Mn
lister in succession to Brazil, Spain and
Chile He was accredited to Chile dur
Inc CT army raf haf N
two countries over the demarcation of
their boundaries and which frequently
brought both countries 10 the verge of
war. That a hostile conclusion was
averted TO the satisfaction OF both Ma
tons was largely due to the diplomacy
and tact of Minister Portela. He has
now represented Argentina in this coun-
try for three years, and exerted himself
TO bring about the best of relations be-
tween the two countries.
Argentina q. Great Country.
In an interview with a representa- we
of The National Tribune Senior Portela
spoke with well-justified pride Of his
great country and her prospects. He
took much qualification in the reception
given the American fleet, with which
he had much to do and the very great
Improvement it would make in the
friendship 81 bsisting between the two
countries.
I'm Argentina ne said, eve have a
great country with unlimited possibili-
ties, aid we have entered upon a career
of the greatest prosperity that may lead
to untold results. 1t can expect to be
on our continent what your country is
on this We will celebrate the centen-
NAL of our independence in 1910, when
We expect TO make a showing that will
surprise the world We have a prac-
fically limitless area of good farming
lands in temperate climate, and our
Government is offering the greatest in
ducements TO settlers These are being
well advertised in Europe, and the i'm
migration of the best class of people to
cur country has become astonishing. We
are receiving about 100000 immigrants
per annum. The greater part of these
are Italians, mostly from the north OF
Italy, a splendid race of men, hard
workers, thrifty, intelligent and pro-
gressive. They make first-class farmers
as well as laborers in every department
Of work, and they are developing small
farms to the great improvement of the
country. Next in numbers come the
Epaniards, who are largely Basque. The
Basques are a strong, hardy race, and