Evening star., 1940-07-25
BY JOSEPH S. EDGERToN,

tenth OF a series.
BY JOSEPH S. EDGERT0N,
star Aviation Editor. ---
BUENOS AIRES, ArgentinAt (By
AirmaiD A more complete com-
mercial accord between Argentine
and the United States must be the
prelude to any thorough going mill
tary agreement, even for mutual
protection of the American nations,
according to business leaders here.
The cordiality of relationships
between the two countries is af-
fected directly by the trade balance
and a balance which is materially
unfavorable to Argentina directly
affects a relationship which is not
yet based upon any deep cultural
understanding.
While the United States ban
against Argentine beef rankles with
Argentine business men virtually
without exception, there are other
sources of irritation-tariff restric-
tions against Argentine products
which it Is felt are imposed to pro-
tect very minor United States in
dustries to an unjustly discrimina-
tory extent.
The fact that Argentine exports
to the United States during the last
month have increased in value and
that during the last six months have
increased by $41,657,8l6. or 40 per
cent, as compared with the first
half of 1899, is cause for favorable
reaction throughout the Argentine
at what may well prove to be most
critical period in the history of re-
lationship between the two nations.
Biggest Rise in Wool.
The biggest increase was regis
tered in wool, which showed an in
crease Of 1913 per cent, to $l3,567 ,053
during June, according to reports
feceived by the United States consul
general here. The largest increase
in percentage, though not in total
value, was in maize products, which
went up 643 per cent, to $163 900.
Dairy products increased by 500 per
cent. There was. heavy decrease
In linseed shipments.
The Argentine Ministry of Agri-
culture, however, has reported ex-
portable surpluses of wheat amount
ing to 1,015,125 tons; linseed
amounting to 1892 tons and maize
amounting to 7,344,060 tons as of
mid-July.
Pride in Their Steaks Justified.
There is something more than
mere commercial advantages in the
minds OF the ArgentineS when they
consider their relationship with the
United States. The Argentine cattle
growers are extremely proud of the
quality Of the beef they raise and
would like very much to introduce it
into the United States market in
competition with the best American
beef. ... sAs
Their pride appears to be justified,
If the steaks one gets in the Buenos
Aires restaurants and hotels are
any criterion. It would be very diff
hcult to imagine anything better
than the famous Chateaubriand
steaks, an inch and a half thick,
which are served with parsley but
ter at the Cabana here during the
dinner hour, which does not really
get under way before 9 pm.
1t Is not necessary to order steak
In Buenos Aires. Unless the visitor
distinctly orders that no steak be
brought, it seems quite likely that
one would come in as a matter Of
course, from long-established habit,
as inevitably as the English rolls
and marmalade or jam for break
fast. The sirloin and T-bone steaks
which come off a Buenos Aires grill
are not quite the size of horse
blanket, but are, quite large enough
to make the uninitiated visitor re-
gard with some degree of respect
and admiration the appetite and
capacity of population which goes
through life surrounded by such
culinary masterpieces.
Steaks at Every Turn.
Make no mistake, the visitor to
Buenos Aires sees, smells and tastes
Argentine steaks at every turn; he
hears about them everywhere; If
he feels them, particularly about
two hours after mealtime, he is no
worthy trencherman, in Argentine
eyes.
A very great and steadily increas-
Ing acreage in the Argentine
pampas is being devoted to I the
growing of alfalfa, which is the
staple cattle fodder. Sheep raising
Is carried on almost wholly in the
less temperate, rocky pasturage
land of the Southern Argentine
and there is little or no competition
between the sheep and cattle men.
What is more needed than any
thing else to improve commercial
relations between the United States
and the Argentine, however, accord
ing to members of the American
colony and Argentine business lead
ers here, is a stable, continuing
trade policy based on just, un-
biased survey of conditions.
There Is real resentment toward
the United States because of a
feeling that the United States at
tempts to build up Argentine trade
only when the domestic market is
bad and that they abandon all con-
sideration for Argentine friendship
and trade stability when the domes-
tic markets are good. It is the old
cry against dollar diplomacy.
There is a growing feeling that
the United States Government, for
the sake Of sounder economics and
better feeling; should take an &C
tive leadership In the export trade
problem, to stabilize the market, to
permit Argentine business to plan
for the future with greater assur-
lnce and to meet a European COM
petition which Is government SUBJ