New-York tribune., 1918-07-15
DR.. Naon Here With
Authority Seldom
Given to Diplomat
Seeks Sterilization of Ex-
change Problem and Freer
Commercial Intercourse
Especial Dispatch to The Tri5unc)


WASHINGTON, July 14.-Dr. Rom
ulo s. Naon, Argentine Ambassado,
and High Commissioner to the United
States, has just arrived here possessed
OF powers of authority such as have
seldom been entrusted to diplomat
He is authorized by his government to
carry on with the United States any
and all negotiations which he deems
desirable in making for the stabiliza-
ton Of the exchange problem and freer
commercial intercourse
His authority extends to everything
connected with relations between this
country and Argentina short of sever
ing diplomatic intercourse. He may in
his discretion place the products of the
Argentine Republic unreservediy at the
disposition of the United States and
this country's associates in the war in
exchange for an agreement by the
United States to facilitate the export to
Argentina of many commodities, espe-
clally raw materials and manufactured d
goods, which the Argentine needs and
for which it depends now absolutely
upon the United States.
Freer Expectation Likely
1t is expected there will be an early
arrangement whereby there will result
freer expectation of Argentine prod
ucts and also permit of the shipping to
Argentina of vast quantities Of stores
lied up in American warehouses.
In regard to the question of exchange
some delicate points have arisen as q
result of the rapid exhaustion of the
credits granted by the Argentine gov
ernment in the United States for the
payment for goods exported from the
Argentine. The last 100000 (gold)
was taken up in two days, and the en-
tire credit of $6O,0O0,0OO,. which it had
been anticipated would cover the needs
of American importers for the whole
year, was exhausted in less than three
months.
1t is the belief of the Argentine au-
thorities that these credits have been
used to protect English and French ex-
change, which, they maintain, is con-
trary to the agreement entered into be-
tween the ambassador and the Ameri-
can government The United States
has requested Of the Argentine govern
ment an additional credit of $4,000 900.
but the Buenos Ayres officials have re-
ferred the matter to the embassy an
the high commissioner here, and Dr.
Naon is now reviewing the situation
and endeavoring to ascertain just how
the previous credits have been handled
before advinsing his government to ac
cede to the request.
To Aid DR.. .Naon
Accompanying DR.. Naon as COM
merclal and financial assistant to the
high commissioner is Hugh Wilson. an
Argentine citizen Of English ancestry.
Mr.. Wilson is a member of the board
of directors of many Argentine in
dustrial enterprises. He was formerly
Deputy and Senator from the Province
of Iucuman and is a captain in the
reserves.
Mr.. Wilson will be connected per-
with the Argentine Embassy
IN Washington as controller of the gold
fund deposited at the embassy and will
make such studies and Investigations
OF financial and commercial conditions
IN the United States as may be de-
sired by the ambassador and high com
missioner. Mr.. Wilson will remain in
America two years, and should the war
be concluded in the meantime. ending
the work of the high commission. he
wlll become commercial attache to
finish out that term.