Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-11-16
BIRTH OF REPUBLIC
Argentine to Celebrate Gen.
tenary of Independence.
IN CITY OF BUEN0S AIRES
Four Distinct Expositions on Differ
ent Dates in 1910.
CHANCE FOR MANUFACTURERS
American Business Men Given Rare
Opportunity for Exploitation
Of Their Products.
BY WILLIAM r. CURTIS.

BY WILLIAM r. CURTIS.
Written for The Star and the Chicago Record
Herald.
The centenary OF the national independ-
ence of the Argentine Republic will he
celebrated during the summer Of 1910 by
four expositions, distinct in management
and held at different dates. but all To-
Gated at the city Of Buenos Aires. There
will also be several important congresses
and conventions. including the Fourth
International Conference Of the Ameri-
can Republics and the International Con-
gress of Medicine and Hygiene.
The expositions will be devoted to art,
agriculture and live stock transportation.
and a display that will illustrate the ad-
vance in civilization and industry OF the
Argentine Republic. The last named ex-
position will be purely local, to demon
strate to the world the marvellous progress
Of that country and its incalculable nat
ural resources, which are still awaiting
development. All of the expositions will
be open in May and close in November,
and will be attended by all OF the great
European nations, but thus far no steps
have been taken for the representation
Of the United States.
The agricultural and transportation ex-
positions will undoubtedly be the most
important ever held south of the isthmus.
and they offer especial advantages for
the manufacturers of agricultural i'm
plements and railway materials and sup
plies The time is so short that II may be
difficult for the federal government to
take such measures as will secure an ade-
quate representation Of this country, al
though Congress might make an appro-
priation during the first days of the ses-
sion. and the government board which
had charge of the exhibit at the Alaska
Yukon-Pacific exposition at Seattle might
transfer that to Buenos Aires. But there
is no reason why many manufacturers
should not go independently Of the gov
eminent, for they will be cordially well
coined and will be assigned all the space
that may be desired. upon application
through the bureau of American repub-
lies, Washington. d. 4.
No Exploitation Here.
No attempt has been made on the part
Of the Argentine government to carry on
a propaganda in this country, although
the bureau Of American republics has
called attention to the matter repeatedly
in its monthly bulletins. Nor has the
United States minister or consul general
at Buenos Aires shown any zeal in secur-
is in striking contrast with the activity
Of England, Germany, France. Spain and
Italy.
The governments of those countries and
their commercial and Industrial associa-
tons have already demonstrated a great
interest and are making preparations to
participate. They are letting no oppor-
tunity pass to manifest their desire for
better relations, and manufacturers, mer-
chants and tourists as well as public Of
&,4t.l IL. &c all nIn xu-s11 h. t.
at the exposition.
On the other hand, the merchants and
manufacturers OF the United States seem
to be either ignorant or Indifferent con-
corning an unusual opportunity that is Of
fered them to bring their products into
competition with those of Europe and to
introduce them into the Argentine Re-
public and other South American coun-
tries. where there is q large and growing
market. English exhibitors have already
secured permission Of the authorities to
erect permanent tower decorated by a
clock at the entrance to the exposition
grounds, which will stand forever as a
symbol Of the appreciation they feel Of
the value Of the relationship between the
British empire and the Argentine Repub-
lie. There is a movement in Germany
also for the erection Of some permanent
monument to commemorate the partici-
patton of that empire in the exposition
and i'm the celebration of the centenary OF
national independence.
Indifference of Americans.
Our manufacturers do not seem to APP
preciate the Importance of the Argentine
Republic as a market. and they are do
ing little. if anything. to increase the
trade. Argentina is not only the second
Of the South American states in area and
population, but II is one of the most pro-
gressive.
1t Is growing rapidly in wealth and for
several years has enjoyed a high degree
OF prosperity. The European nations are
actively striving to secure the trade. Ger
many and France are particularly vigor-
Gus in that direction. but We are doing
nothing.
The foreign commerce of the Argentine
Republic passed the half billion mark in
1893 and in 1908 reached total OF $685.
91S.O17. an increase from $751; O65 O52 I'm
1907. OF this enormous trade the share OF
the United States was only 1890. 600 Of
which our imports were S13, Ol3 23S most
only $35, 3O7 900 and consisted chiefly of
refined petroleum, lumber, agricultural
implements and articles which the Argen-
tine people could not get anywhere else.
is the share OF England. which last year
amounted to nearly $175.OOO.OOO. while
that OF Germany was nearly $I5,OOOWO.
that of France was nearly $60,OOO,OOO ano
belgium SJO,VUU,UUU italy snare Wa
about the same as ours.
Products Of the Republic.
People of the Argentine Republic pro-
duce vast quantities Of food products.
hides and WOOL Although there has been
an encouraging development of mechan-
ical industries. they yet have to import
nearly everything they use in the way Of
manufactured merchandise. and last year
bought more than sixty millions of tex
tiles, thirty millions OF railway rolling
stock and vehicles, twenty millions Of
china. glass and other household utensils.
fifty millions of iron and steel. five mil
lions of tobacco, thirteen millions of
wines and liquors. ten millions of drugs
and medicines, six millions of paper and
stationery. twenty-one millions OF arti-
Giles OF adornment and a corresponding
amount of other articles. many OF which
might have been furnished by the United
States Indeed. there is very little I'm the
long list OF imports that could not have
been supplied by our manufacturers. had
they taken an active interest in the trade,
but, with the exception Of tho agEicll~