The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-01-05
STATUE OF CHRIST
MARKS BOUNDARY
Brazil and Argentine, Rich South
American Countries, Dwell
in Amity.
Especial TO The Times Dispatch.l

WASHINGTON. January 4.-To-day Bra
ell and Argentina, richest ana erest
est of South American repupllcs, are
dwelling In amity, with statute o.
Christ marking their mountain pouno-
airy line But for two old men, VINO
are the respective ambassadors from
their countries, that statute OF Ihrisl
might now be marking the line or
a battlefield. or be but memory Cd
scured by "A bitter warfare.
Instead because the Latins are gooo
diplomats as well as chronic lighters,
DR.. Campos Sales, ex-President OF Bra
I'll. and beloved of the people. is minis
ter TO Argentine. and General Juno
Roca. ex-President of Argentina, is oc-
cupying a similar position IN Brazil
And both are living in maSnihceht
mansions that the governments pre-
scented each dSring the feasting anu
celebrations that marked the advent OF
Sales and ROca into their high posts
And as q res alt of all this. the state
Department. relieved Of great bur
den OF care. is praying that the dove
of peace. which a few months ago set
tied with such pomp over these coun-
tries. will make a long stay.
4 wear ago the gentle benediction.
waited by the statue of the Christ OF
The Andes, erected in 1900 to commem-
morate the peace pact between Argen-
tine and Brazil. became little less
gentle. Both countries, busy with Oh
plomatic exchanges. over disputed ter
ritory boundaries and damage claims
casually strolled into the warsnlp
market and began building and pur-
chasing Dreadnoughts. At the same
time they began to more completes
arm and equap their soldiers. Neither
country wanted war. There's n lot OF
foreign capital invested In Argentine
and Brazil, and these investors shared
the general distaste against war as
it is conducted In South America,
where peace treaties are complicated
and fragile things.
SALES and Roca, each over seventy
years OF age, are the George Washing
tons of their countries. and they are
fast. personal friends. Twelve years
ago. while both were Presidents of
their country. they pair each other
visits, and the memory OF the trium-
phant celebrations which accompanied
the Interchange of courtesies has only
been dimmed by the newer memory OF
their last meetings, when they changed
an almost war into the profoundest OF
peace demonstrations.
Each of these men viewed with
alarm the build-y.S OF the Dreadnoughts
and the arming of the soldiers. Both
have been soldiers. and both knew
what il meant to the prosperous coun-
tries if they became embro'ied.
In August. after foreign capitalists
had conferred with the Brazilian Of
ficials. one suggested that as Sales
was well Liked in Argentina, he be
sent there as minister. The sugges-
ton was received with alacrity. The
official tender of SALES name was made
10 Argentina. and within a few days
came a special messenger. bringing an
acceptance of Sales as persona grata,
and bringing also the Suggestion OF
Rocas name as minister to Brazil.
When this news became public. the
charged atmosphere diSs ipated anc
the preparations for war gave way TO
preparations for receiving these men as
ministers from their countries. Roca
waited in Argentina for SAFES, and he
came with warships decked In flowers
10 be received. with an ovation thaS
exceeded anything in the history OF
the country. For three days a ma
tional fete was declared, and there
were celebrations the length and
breadth of the country.
Then SALES went back TO Brazil with
Roca personals escorting him into
Rio De JanerO harbOr, where, in the
Monroe Palace. under an enormous
electric arch hearing the words "salve
Argentina" the President and his
Cabinet received him.
The two heroes had to pose before
the populace. They spoke eloquentiy
for eternal peace. and the Latin audi
ence, shriekiag its love for Argentina,
tossed flowers am confetti into the
air
That night there was a grand ball
at President Pena's palace. The time
came for SALES and Roca TO walk
down the slittcrins line that had been
formed for them to the dais where
they were to sit in state. They were
nowhere 10 be found. Messengers
hunted high and low for an hour, ana
much alarm was felt.
Finally. d scuilery maid. seeking d
breath OF air, founs them on the back
steps OF the palace, seated on upturned
champagne boxes, smoking long CT
garettes and earnestly discussing the
future OF their countries when the
Panama Canal, the dream child of
Snrtb America made true. shall have