El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1915-02-20

clubhouse has been decorated by famous art
lists, and it is mass OF treasures from one
end to the other. Entering from Florida
street. the great business center OF the capt.
tai, you pass celebrated statue Of Diana
by Fa1guierios, and then go up stairs Of
marble, with balustrades Of onyx, to the sec
ond floor Upon the walls are the paint
ings Of such artists as Bonnat, Bouguereau
and Royebet and there are statues by IA
nous sculptors here and there.
Plan New Clubhouse.
Notwithstanding the beauties Of the club
house, the members are not satisfied with
II and they have decided TO give it over to
the Argentine government for use as build
ing for the state department or ministry Of
foreign affairs. They are about to build a
new clubhouse on the Gala san Martin, not
far from the Hotel Plaza. The building VIII
face a beautiful park, and its site alone has
cost $1,000, 900. The man who sold the
property bought it some years years ago
for less than 100000, and the Jockey club
sale will give you some idea Of how land is
rising in Buenos Aires.
Returning to the demand for horses for
the European cavalry. the supply OF the
Argentine horse flesh is more than one
third as large as that Of the United States.
According to the latest figures. the worlds
total of horses is about 10000, 900, and of
these One-tenth are feeding on the Argentine
pampas. The United States has about 81,
600, 900 horses and Russia has like num-
Der. In round numbers Germany and Aus
tria have about 5000, 900 France, 5000, 600,
and Great Britain 1000 600. Canada has
about 1900 600, Australia a like number,
and Argentina about $500. 900.
During the BOer war many thousands OF
horses were shipped from Buenos Aires to
South Africa and the outlook is that If the
sea route can be kept open for the allies
large proportion Of the present supply will
go to Great Britain and France
Origin of Argentine Horse.
The origin Of the Argentine horse is of
especial interest to us. As you know. our
hemisphere had no horses until after Column
bus came; and the first horses Of both North
and South America were imported from
Spain. They were descended from those
produced by the Moors from the cross be-
tween the Barb and the Arabian. Some were
sent to Mexico where they ran wild, and
formed the wild horses of our western plains.
Others were brought to South America and
some Of the first came over in the 18th CEN
fury.
"A part Of the latter lot belonged TO Pedro
de Mendoza. who, when attacked by the
Querrandi indians, had to abandon his settle
ment on the pampas. He then left behind
him five mares and seven stations, and it
IS said that these twelve animals We're the
progenitors Of the great troops Of Argentine
horses. The animals increased in such num-
bers that the wild drOves almost covered
the plains. There were so many horses that
mares and geldings were sold to the govern
ment for two or three shillings each to sup
ply the indians with horseflesh.
Later tens OF thousands Of animals were
killed for their hides and tallow. bringing
from Is TO 20 shillings a head, and # was
not until recent years that horses became
worth from $50 and upward apiece. The
early Argentines were too proud to ride
mares and during the FIRST quarter Of the
18th century more than half million mares
were butchered for what they brought in
horse hair, fat and hides. Now the mare is
almost as valuable as the stallion and horse
breeding is exceedingly profitable
Constantly Increasing.
In riding over the country. one sees large
6roves OF 9horses feeding inside the great
fenced Enclosures and there is a steady i'm
Vortation Of all kinds Of fine animals. in
Guiding the Clydesdales and Percherons for
draft purposes. The number Of horses is