Evening star., 1919-04-27

sulting from the more thar four
years of strife in Europe
There probably is no more notable
example of this apparent intention
to advance among the nations of the
world than iE the case. of ArSen-
tina. This prosperous South Ameri-
can nation. not content with lis
present distinction of being one OF
the forewost nations of the world. is
now preparing for a sp!e destiny
of practically unmeasured trade de-
velopment True, Argentina has long
since made its influence felt, especi-
ally in the United States and Europe.
but it's war prosperity has served
only to increase it's desires and ambi
tions. and ii is now aiming AT COM
mercial. industrial and financial de
velopment in a big way.
u. S. Ready to Help.
Under it's plans for development
the United States naturally is ex-
pected to figure prominently, Aad
the United States-the government
as well as the business and financial
interests-is especially anxious and
ready to encourage and otherw Use
assist Argentina in fulfilling its
hopes. In fact, this readiness on the
part of the United States is by no
means confined to Argentina. but is
extended to every one of the South
and Central American NATIONS.
Before the war Germany enjoyed the
lions share of the trade of some Of
the Latin American countries, and
Great Britain held supreme sway in
others. But times and conditions
have changed, and the United States
has taken front rank and, like the
republics to it's south. it proposes to
take every advantage of it's position
and possibilities. In view of all this
it is readily seen that the republics
in North and South America are. fig
a common cause.
Great Congress Here Soon.
Within a few weeks at least 1000
representatives of the American re-
publics will gather in Washington to
attend what has been styled an Amer
lean Commercial Congress and which
is intended to promote trade and
financial relations among the repub-
lies of the western hemisphere. This
the State Department and will be held
| under the dirtce auspices OF the Pan
American Union. Arrangements now
| are being made by John Barrett, di-
! rector general of the union. "'-''
| Aside from its commercial lintents
and purposes. it is hoped in official
| and diplomatic quarters that this
great conclave may be the means OF
bringing the people of America to a
better understanding and realization
of the various American republics. 1t
is a frequent remark among diplo-
mats that the lack Of knowledge of
the South and Central American
countries possessed by the average
citizen Of the United States is as
founding.
Aside from planning commercial de-
velopments and strengthening the
bonds of friendship, every effort is to
be made to bring the people of the
various countries to better and more
intelligent understanding of one an
other.
Land of Future Greatness.
Take Argentina, for instance. It's
past is marvellous. The future possi-
! bilities Of it are tremendous. Few
persons in this country realize that
Argentina occupies an area as large
| as all that territory Of the United
~ hA
river: that it's population is just
trifie short of 100000; that Buenos
Aires. it's capital. has population Of
according to the latest reports
amounted to more than 100000. .00o:
that there are more than $4,000 miles
of railways within its extensive bor-
ders
! A marvellous history lies behind the
achievement of the growth to wealth
and prominence of Argentina. It is
history replete with romance and toll,
courage and patriotism; history OF
struggle, disappointment, defeat, sue
cess and final triumph Of ideals Of
great people who are not content but
who are imbued with the spirit of
progress and further achievements So
great are it's natural resources and
physical possibilities that the coun-
try may still be said to be only on
the Threshold of it's national exist
ence as world force alike in COM
merce and politics.
credit for the discovery of Argen-
tina is given to the Spanish naviga-
tor. Juan de Soils. 1t was while in
search of a passage to the Pacific
ocean that he landed at the mouth Of
the Rio de la Plata in 1916. Ten years
later Sebastian Cabot entered tne
river and gave it the name 1t still
bears.
CITY Founded in 1886
However. it was not until 1896 that
Pedro de Mendoza founded the city OF
Santa Maria, which is now known as
Buenos Aires. Colonization to any
any great extent did not begin for
nearly a hundred years after this
During that time there always was
trouble with the native Indians. whose
hostility and treachery were respon-
sible for many deaths among the early
settlers. Finally, in 1916, the vice
rovalty of La Plata. then including
Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay and The
Uruguay of today. was dehned. the
following year the King OF Spain ap-
nointed Pedro de zeballos as the first
yfceroy of this great western domain.
The declaration of independence by
the people of Buenos Aires was made
Nav 25, 1910, the three most promi-
nent leaders in the movement being
Cen. San Martin. Gen. Belgramo and
admiral rown. A congress. held
.July 9, 1916, at Tucuman. declared
the independence of the united prov
inces of the La Plata river. In 1860
the country adopted the name by
which it is now known-Argentina.
from then on this country grew,