Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1960-02-15
Second Of Four Articles

industrial plants, domestic in
flation, deteriorated transpor-
tation systems and a balance
of payments deficit that
drained gold and exchange re-
serves.
With the Peron overthrow
q de facto provisional govern
ment moved in. 1t devoted it
self to the re-establishment of
democratic institutions, ell
mination of Peronist influence
and power and transition to a
freely elected government.
Two factions of the Radical
Party contested for control.
The IntranSigents, headed by
Mr.. Frondizi, swept the cleo
tions except for about one
third of the seats in the
Chamber of Deputies. Mr..
Frondizi was inaugurated May
l, 1858, in a ceremony wit
messed by Vice President
Nixon.
The new President imme-
diately embarked on a pro-
gram Of austerity. Despite crit
iciSm and opposition, he has
stuck by his guns and the
Argentine people can see he
has turned the corner, even
though monumental problems
are ahead.
Had Fair Success
In his first year, Mr.. From
dizi concentrated on stabiliz-
ing and developing the econ
omy. He enjoyed a fair meas
ure Of success. For example, he
has brought the peso exchange
rate from a high of more than
100 to the dollar down to 80
or SO to the dollar.
The year 1859 began for
Argentina with galloping inf1a-
ton. The cost of living, which
increased 100 per cent in a.
year was checked.
A new petroleum policy.
which encourages foreign oil
companies to participate in
the extraction Of Argentine
oil, resulted last year in a 80
per cent increase in produc-
ton.
This year, the administra-
ton is concentrating on a re-
duction of the budget deficit.
Mr.. Frondizi also is striving to
improve the Argentine import
situation.
Opponents Active
Mr.. Frondizi's political OPP
ponents have given his admin
istration periodic trouble. It is
considered likely that they will
try to embarrass him by I'M
friendly demonstrations when
Mr.. Eisenhower is in the coun-
try.
Informed sources here do
not expect the demonstrations
to get out of hand because of
the extensive preparations
made for security. Neverthe-
less, Communist agitators are
expected to promote some anti
Frondizi and anti = United
States incidents while going
through the motions, them
selves, of applauding Mr.. Eli
senhower.
Argentina, which is roughly
the size of that part of the
United States east of the Mis-
siSSippi River, lies in a tenn
perate zone and has a wide
range of climate and topogra-
ply.
The plains, the pampas, are
the heart of the country, &C.
cupying one-fourth of it's area.
Old Melting Pot
More than any other Latin
American country, Argentina
is a racial melting pot. It's pop
ulation (more than 20 million)
is based upon European migra-
ton rather than indigenous
people. Among national origins |
represented are German, Ital-
ian, Anglo-Saxon and Slavic
peoples. The Indian population
is put at 00,000-in the high
lands and in Patagonia-and
there are virtually no Negroes
or persons of mixed race.
Once a Spanish colony, the
nation won independence in
1916 under the leadership of
Gen. Jose de San Martin. It
was afflicted by political strife
until the federal constitution,
similar to that of the United
States, was adopted in 1853.
Many citizens lost faith in
the land-holding upper classes
after a financial panic in 1890.
The urban middle class then
formed the Radical Party and
this group took over from con-
sentative political leaders in
1916.
But a military coup in 1880
deposed Hipolito Irigoyen and
put Jose Feliz Uriburu into
power. In 1943 group of army
nationalist seized power. The
strongest figure in that clique
turned out to be Col. Peron. He |
ruled from 1916 until 1855.
Resources Extensive
Argentina has much live
stock-an estimated A million
cattle and As million sheep. Its
beef is considered among the
finest in the world. The coun-
try also produces grains, tea.
tung oil, cotton. timber and
fish.
1t has extensive oil and min
eral resources. The farmlands
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