Omaha daily bee., 1916-07-31
ARGENTINE ELECTION
Radical Party in Power for
First Time in History
of Republic.
CAMPAIGN WAS SPIRITED

Correspondence OF The Associated Press.l
Buenos Ayres, Argentine Republic,
June 30.-(Correnspondence OF The
AssociatedPress.) -The recent cleo
tons, resulting in the placing of the
Radical party in power for the first
time in the history Of the Republic,
have had somewhat disquieting
effect upon the country. During the
campaign there were so many ru-
mors of revolution in certain pro-
vinces that, as a matter depreciation,
all rifles and munitions served out to
the various federal ranges were with
drawn, and although the campaign
is now a matter of history, the situa-
ton is still such that the rifle ranges
remain closed without any indica-
ton as to when they will be re-
opened.
The most serious troubles at pres
ent, however, are those with the pri-
soners in various federal and pro-
vincial institutions, among whom
there had circulated a rumor that il
the Radicals won the election, great
numbers of prisoners would be re-
leased. Since, however, it has been
seen that no such wholesale amnesty
is to be expected, and there are now
several uprisings with which the au-
thorities have to deal. In the ma
tional territory of Neuquen 200 pris-
oners recently rose in body, over
powered the warders, seized rifles
and ammunition, and made good their
escape. A number of the more reso-
lutte prisoners then formed under the
leadership of Boer settler, vet
eran of the South African campaign,
and made for the hilly frontier be-
tween the Argentine and Chile. Well
armed with Mauser rifles, this band
has been intimidating and robbing
all the persons along its route. The
fugitives are still being pursued.
In Cordoba province the prisoners
also rushed their guards, seized the
available rifles and ammunition and
set UP a sort of commune within
the prison walls. The prison was
surrounded by a detachment of fed
eral infantry and the state of seige
is still maintained. Similar, though
less serious, trouble has occurred at
the prisons in Santa Fe province.
Many Labor Troubles.
Labor troubles constitute another
disturbing factor. The municipal
scavengers in the capital, have been
on strike and the streets of the city
are just recovering from ten days OF
absolute disorder. The men alleged
as justification for their strike that
they did not receive their wages on
the dates due, and that they were sub
ject to many deductions in the way
of fines for trivial carelessness. As
soon as these difficulties were ad-
justed, the chauffers declared a strike
and they have been joined by the
cabmen. Other trades are making
common cause with the strikers and
it is feared that further troubles may
be in store. 80
The recent unofficial announce
ment of the result of the last census,
begun IN l9l4, prematurely made by
an "indiscreet" member of the Census
Committee has been officially con-
frmed. The total population of the
Argentine, which is given as 7,885,237,
includes no less than 2,357,952 for
eigners, and of the l,575,8l4 in the
city of Buenos Aires, half are for
eigners. This showing furnishes
text for much comment, it being de-
clared that although the foreign ele-
ment-largely Italians, Spaniards,
British, French and, Germans, with
contingents from almost every part
Of the worlds monopolizing much
Of the commerce and trade OF the
country, but is holding aloof from
Argentine political affairs.
DR.. de Ia Plaza, the venerable re-
firing president of the Republic,
whose term of office expires in Octo-
Der when the Radical, DR.. Irigoyen,
assumes the presidency, delivered his
valedictory to Congress on May 80.
He is given credit for having had
safe if not brilliant administration.