Evening star., 1942-01-18
I. Story Of United Stotes
and Argentine Relations
BIZ Frederic J. Hdsktn,

By Frederic J. Hasktn.
Two Of the wealthiest nations, and in
many respects the most progressive,
whose representatives are sitting around
the council tables of the Pan-American
Conference being held in Rio de Janeiro.
are the United States and Argentina.
But back of this wealth and progress
lie certain differences which diplomats
are either endeavoring to iron out or
avoid, 50 that the solidarity of the ma
tions Of the Western Hemisphere will not
be in doubt to any peoples in the world.
These differences, often mildly ex-
pressed by many Argentines, date beck
132 years., when Buenos Aires threw OH
the Spanish yoke and when this country
appointed Joel r. Poinsett Of South
Carolina as agent for seamen and COM
merce" in the region Of the Rio do II
Plata. Whatever the title meant m
those days, Poinsett was, n essence, Q
goodwill ambassador to the newly
formed republic. Instructions given him
from Washington coincide with the godS
neighbor policy 30 much In evidence
today, for the record is clear that Poin-
sett did all within his power to develop
q friendly spirit between his country
and Argentina that would bring early
recognition of the new republic by
Washington. Internal differences in many
Argentine provinces and strained rela-
tions with Spain over Florida, however,
delayed the recognition of Argentine in
dependence until 1923. In the meantime,
the young nation was feeling its inde-
pendence to such an extent that many
Argentines felt that Poinsetts negotia-
tions were directed toward favors for the
United States rather than mutual trade
and peace relations between the two
countries. Such thoughts went into
Argentina's political history and often,
since that time, some researcher has
brought the subject to light.
Then came the Falkland Islands affair,
and this also has persisted For many
years before the Buenos Aires revolt the
possession of the islands had been in
dispute between England and Spain. The
latter maintained a small settlement on
the islands and SO, when an independent
government was established, Argentina
took the position that 1t was SPANS
successor and laid claim to the Falk-
lands. Argentina appointed Louis yernet
governor Of the islands and granted him
monopoly Of seal fisheries for 20 years.
For half a century before that time the
islands had been sort Of free port for
fishermen and whalers of many nations.
including the United States. In 1881
Vernet seized three American vessels and
arrested the captains and the crews.
The United States protested and dis
patched Capt. Duncan of the U. S. s.
Lexington. who proceeded to ransack
the Argentine settlement in the islands
This episode almost brought relations
to the breaking point, each government
accusing the others representative Of
robbery and violence. The United States
declared its prescriptive right to fish In
those regions and its representative, be-
ing unable to get satisfactory anSwer.
demanded his passport. He was obliged
without delay. In the meantime, Ar
gentina pressed Washington for repara-
tions, but the United States took the
position that since Great Britain's claim
to the Falklands still was unsettled,
nothing could be done. This diplomatic
squabbling went on until 1885, when both
countries dropped the dispute, although
it was not settled. Great Britain's claim
to the Falklands also remains unsettled,
but Argentina holds on. basing its claim
on historical grounds. Vernet's seizure
Of American vessels and this country's
retaliation, meanwhile. remain as un-
pleasant chapters In the relations be-
tween the two countries.
Sometimes an individual can become
a volunteer arbitrator in a dispute be-
tween others, but by doing so he may
win the enmity Of one or both contest
ants. Such a role the United States
often has played with Argentina and its
adversaries. For instance, the Dictator
Rosas of Buenos Aires was engaged in
two undeclared wars with England and
France between 1880 and 1848. In both
instances the United States volunteered
| its good offices as a medium for settling
the disputes, but without success, and
apparently without enhancing its pres
tige in Argentina. Twice, also, during
the contemporaneous war with Uruguay,
when the United States naval officers In
the interest Of American commerce un-
<o 4 ~
Montevideo, their actions were disclaimed
by Washington as an infringement Of
the belligerent rights Of American states.
The United States, however, has been
more successful in helping Argentina
settle its boundary disputes with neigh
bors. The first Of these acts Of arbitra-
ton came in 1873 when President Hayes
awarded to Paraguay land in dispute In
the Chaco area. In 1895 Argentina had
dispute with Brazil over boundary
limits, and President Cleveland acted the
role of Judge. The decision went against
Argentina, but 1t was cheerfully accepted
and the issue has never risen again. The
next boundary dispute came In 1899,
when Chile and Argentina became con-
tenders for bleak plateau lying between
the two countries. A joint commission
was appointed by the contenders with
this country's representative in Argentina
as q neutral member and 1t was his vete
that gave the claim to Chile.
The lack Of full friendship between
the United States and Argentina In re-
cent times is easy to understand. Neither
country stands blameless, for both have