A PROMISING REPUBLIC
Argentina has just celebrated the first centennial of her independence
from Spanish domination. On the 25th of May, 1910, there was opened in
the city of Buenos Aires an exposition that continued for six months.
It was undoubtedly the greatest exposition ever held in the southern
hemisphere, just as Buenos Aires is the largest city in that half of
the globe. For almost a year active preparations had been going on for
this celebration. The United States honoured the occasion by sending
five warships for the opening, and appointing a special commission to
represent the government in an official capacity.
The exposition really consisted of five separate exhibitions, which were
located in different parts of the city and were practically independent
of each other. These were the International Exhibition of Railways and
Land Transports, the International Exhibition of Agriculture, the
International Exhibition of Hygiene, and the National Exhibitions of
Industry and Arts. The first mentioned was perhaps the most important,
for it consisted of a display of every kind of land transportation from
animal traction to steam and gasoline. There were special sections
devoted to each phase of railways, from the building of stations to the
equipment of the finest trains in the world, including all systems in
general use; other sections were devoted to tramways operated by the
various kinds of power, automobiles and all forms of motor cars, etc.
Nothing was overlooked to make this transportation exhibit the most
complete ever held in the world. Six sections in a choice location,
composing about fifteen thousand square yards, were assigned for United
States exhibitors. Great Britain, on the other hand, had asked for and
was given more than three times that amount of space. This condition
cannot be blamed upon the Argentine government, however, as the United
States commission secured all the space that they asked for, and the
commissioners found it difficult to fill their allotment.
The Exhibition of Hygiene was also important in this age when science
has made so much advance in overcoming the obstacles placed in the way
of health by nature. This included buildings devoted to hygienic sports,
hygiene of dress, naval and military hygiene, ventilation and calefaction
in general, sanitary work of cities, hospitals, surgical instruments,
and other allied subjects. The agricultural exhibition was particularly
devoted to live stock, and the other exhibitions are made clear by their
nomenclature.
Each one of the foreign colonies entered heartily into the exposition
spirit, and planned to present to the city some memorial in the way of a
permanent work of art, in commemoration of this first centennial of the
revolution which led to the independence of Argentina from Spanish rule
or misrule, a date which is as sacred to the Argentinians as the Fourth
of July with us. The British colony, which is one of the largest and
wealthiest and numbers probably twenty-five thousand, presented a clock
tower of artistic design. The German colony, of almost equal numbers,
began the erection of a monumental fountain on a great and imposing
terrace which was prepared by the city, and cost one hundred thousand
dollars. The Austro-Hungarian collectivity offered a meteorological
monument, similar to those found in the cities of Austria and Hungary,
which will be adorned with meteorological implements and appliances. The
Italians, who are the largest in number but not the wealthiest, built an
artistic monument in Italian marble of that great discoverer, Christopher
Columbus. Lastly, the three hundred Americans offered a statue of George
Washington, to whose work and example more than anything else the
liberty of all the Americas is due, and the government donated to them a
beautiful location on one of the principal plazas. Thus, by this tribute,
will another connecting link in the friendship between the two republics,
each of which is predominant on its own continent, be added.
[Illustration: CONGRESS PALACE AND THE PLAZA, BUENOS AIRES
Courtesy of the Bulletin of Pan-American Union]
All over the city of Buenos Aires men worked for months in the attempt to
beautify the city for the centennial exposition. Plazas were rearranged,
and new monuments erected in them; public buildings were redecorated and
overhauled; the new Supreme Court Palace was hurried in order to have
it ready for the sessions of the Pan-American Congress, which were held
there contemporaneous with the exposition; six solid blocks were bought
and condemned in order to give an approach to the new Congress Palace,
and thousands of men were employed for months in tearing down these
buildings, hauling away the débris, and preparing the ground for the
beautiful little park into which the space has been created.
The great problem with Argentina is the settlement of the immense tracts
of unoccupied land. These formerly belonged to the national government,
but they are now generally owned by the various provinces. As in
most Latin countries the government adopted the plan of subsidizing
the railroads, instead of giving them lands which would have been an
incentive to stimulate settlement along their tracks. The railways have
only recently grasped the advantages of encouraging such migration. A
large part of this land has already been secured by private owners.
The country is overrun with land companies, and every newspaper is
filled with advertisements of auction sales of lands and corner lots in
projected colonies, or in estates which comprise thousands of acres.
Nowhere will one find such elaborate advertisements of real estate as in
the newspapers of Buenos Aires, where they spread over page after page of
their bulky papers.
The government is making earnest effort to encourage immigration and
has been more successful than any other republic in South America. The
immigration department publishes prospectuses containing elaborate and
detailed information concerning public lands and guides for prospective
settlers. The efforts of the national government are ably seconded by
the provincial administrations, and they are jointly endeavouring to
attract a class that will adopt an agricultural life. Free transportation
is given desirable immigrants, and in many places money is advanced
to build a modest house. A number of European companies are also
establishing colonies and bringing in settlers. Some landowners who find
their estates too unwieldy are letting their land out to tenants on
shares. The immigrant receives far different treatment there from what
he does in the United States, where he is simply turned loose after the
inspectors have passed him. It has been charged in some instances that
the government does not always keep its promises with these incomers, but
I do not believe that can be at all general, for they are too anxious to
populate the country. The country has been pretty well surveyed and good
titles can generally be obtained. It will require all of the power of
the government to break the city habit and induce the people to establish
their homes in the _campo_. The lonesomeness and monotony of the
never-ending pampas, where distance seems limitless, will no doubt always
be an objection to them as places of habitation.
Statistics show that, during the year 1909, two hundred and thirty-two
thousand four hundred and fifty-eight immigrants entered Argentina.
Nearly every steamer landing at Buenos Aires has a few hundred of these
poor people down in the steerage quarters. They are just the same
as one will see disembarking at Ellis Island from the Mediterranean
steamers. During the past ten years the total number arriving over those
departing was almost a million and a quarter. A great many come in for
temporary work in the harvest fields or elsewhere, and after earning a
few hundred dollars go back to their homes in sunny Italy. Of the number
arriving nearly one-half are Spaniards and about one-third Italians. The
proportion of Spaniards has greatly increased in the past two or three
years. The other nationalities include Syrians, Russians (mostly Jews),
French, Austrians, Portuguese, British, etc., in order of numbers. All
the North Americans numbered less than three hundred. It will be seen
that the overwhelming population come from Southern Europe. This is
only natural for language, customs and religion are almost the same,
and the transformation from Italian or Spanish to Argentino is easy.
It is a fact, however, that this element does not furnish the sturdy
agriculturalists that the country needs. This is not the fault of the
government. It seems impossible to induce settlers from Northern Europe
to go down there. Large as this emigration seems it does not nearly keep
pace with the production of the nation, and there is always a scarcity of
labour in the rural districts.
It has been heretofore, and perhaps always will be, the case that Europe
will devote greater attention to the River Plate countries than North
America. There are two good reasons for this: first, the temperate
regions of South America provide an outlet for the surplus population of
the Latin nations of Europe; and, secondly, these countries are depended
upon to furnish a large part of the food supplies for the thickly
populated nations of that continent. The Anglo-Saxon has a choice of the
many colonies of his own land, such as Canada and Australia, and he,
together with the German, finds the United States a congenial country
in which to live. The Frenchman, Spaniard and Italian finds conditions
in Argentina, Southern Brazil and Uruguay more in accordance with his
traditional customs. For the Spaniard the language is the same, and the
Italian soon masters the difference in idiom. So this nation forms and
should form the natural haven for these people, when the struggle for
existence drives them from the land of their birth. As the government
improves it will become still more attractive for them, and it is to be
hoped that the stream of Italian immigrants who now seek our shores will
head for the River Plate. This will redound in every way to the interest
of the whole world. If the production of cereals and meat in that quarter
of the world is sufficiently augmented, it will mean a substantial
reduction in the price of these essential foodstuffs—it will mean cheaper
bread and a lowering of the present almost prohibitive prices of meats.
Another reason is that the La Plata ports are more accessible to Europe
than the United States, while on the north and west coast of South
America the conditions are reversed and the North American influence is
much more pronounced.
The peaceful conquest of Argentina by Europe was but a natural outcome
of conditions. That continent had long realized the advantages of those
broad fertile plains situated in a temperate climate. Europe likewise was
in need of a granary near her markets, and these rich leagues with easy
access provided what she ardently wanted and greatly needed. Force was
not necessary in this conquest, for the power of money alone won the day,
especially for England. British gold built five-sixths of the railways,
nearly all the great _frigorificos_, the port works, and many other
enterprises. British banks handled the national loans, and in every way
British money won its way and made that country paramount in influence,
even though Spain and Italy had two million former subjects living on
the country. The total amount of British money in Argentina exceeds
$1,500,000,000. Germany and France also have large investments there,
and Italy as well, but they are small when compared with the English
sovereigns. The United States investments are hardly worth considering,
as they are so insignificant. In the last few years our large meat
packing firms have been endeavouring to get a foothold in Argentina,
and two are already operating establishments of their own. The spectre
of a meat trust is already beginning to haunt the Argentinians, and the
government in particular. It is said that some of the old established
concerns have been bought out by the American firms, and are simply
operated under the old names. This it was impossible to verify, so I am
unable to state it as a fact or simply rumour. The fact that these meat
barons are entering that field is in itself significant, and they will
no doubt make an effort to gather up the entire industry, and thus be
able to govern the prices just as they do in the United States. Adverse
legislation will probably head them off, however, unless the power of
money should stifle the opposition.
The financial history of Argentina has been a checkered one and not
without its scandals. In reality for years investors looked askance
at all kinds of Argentine securities. The fact is that the national
government suffered from its moral, if not actual, responsibility for the
numerous loans floated by the various states. The national government
in a real sense should have no more responsibility for a provincial
debt than our Federal Government assumes the obligation of a state
under our form of government. Creditors naturally tried to press this
responsibility whenever a province defaulted, and in many instances the
government accepted the liability. Money was borrowed for all kinds of
purposes, in particular by the notorious Celman administration, and the
government became badly involved. The province of Buenos Aires became a
notorious defaulter in its “cedulas,” and its administrators have many
times been characterized as “robbers” by the British security-holders.
The municipalities of Cordoba and Santa Fé also have rather unenviable
records. Many of these debts are being slowly adjusted, however, while
the national government has no difficulty in placing new loans under the
more recent administrations.
Argentina to-day possesses one of the largest banks in the world, the
Banco de la Nacion. It succeeded another national bank which went up in
smoke a few years ago after a notorious career. Foreign banks do a large
part of the business of the country. The first bank, called the Casa
de Moneda, was established by English and Argentine capital as early
as 1822. One of the leading banks of the present day is the London and
River Plate, which has been established for almost half a century. It
has paid many dividends as high as twenty per cent., so that its stock
is considerably above par. Interest used to be as high as twenty-four
per cent. on loans, and exchange fluctuated greatly. To-day interest is
much lower, though still high, and exchange is more steady. The London
and Brazilian Bank, the British Bank of South America, the Anglo South
American and the Bank of London and Mexico are other British banks. Then
there are German, French, Italian and Spanish banks, which do an immense
business. The Provincia de Buenos Aires is one of the largest native
banks, and it has a number of branches.
The Argentine Commercial Code, as it exists to-day, is a well-selected
and well-digested assortment of the best points in the commercial laws of
other countries. Many eminent men have participated in the development
of this code. The laws relating to trade and contracts are excellent,
but the latter have sometimes been at the mercy of judges who were not
over-scrupulous, although foreigners have had less trouble in that line
than natives. The laws relating to the organization of incorporated
companies are excellent. Under them each vote counts irrespective of
holdings, a man with one share having as much influence as the man with a
thousand. This prevents a one-man company, as there must be at least ten
shareholders. Any concern working under a concession must have a fiscal
agent, who is nominated by the government or municipality, and whose duty
it is to supervise the accounts and general conduct of the concern. If
this agent is an honest man, and not susceptible to bribes, he can have
great influence for good; if, however, he is corrupt, the shareholders
are doubly unfortunate.
The Bolsa, or stock exchange, in Buenos Aires is a great institution.
Millions of dollars worth of securities and grains are sold on the floor
of this building. It reminds one of our own stock exchanges, except for
the very babel of voices. Although the cries of the brokers are all in
Spanish, you will see excited groups around you talking in Italian,
German and English. Most of the brokers are able to join any group and
converse in that language. Argentine securities are sold on this exchange
in parcels and they rise and fall rapidly, the margin in one day often
being considerable. Prior to the great crash of 1890, a half billion
dollars worth of securities in gold values were sold at this exchange.
When the panic came ninety per cent. of the companies failed, and the
shares were not worth a cent on the dollar. The great national bank,
with a capital of $50,000,000 national money, which closed its doors,
precipitated the crisis, and brought down with it the London house of
Baring Bros. The depositors of this bank lost more than $70,000,000 by
the unfortunate failure, which was brought about by crookedness on the
part of the management, and high financing. Money came in so easily and
rapidly that the directors thought there was no end to the golden stream
headed their way. Immense sums were loaned to irresponsible politicians
with no hope or scarcely expectation of having it returned. Large drafts
would also be cashed from the same sources, and bribery was rampant. Its
loans at one time were over four hundred million dollars in national
money.
However old the history of Argentina, the civilization of the country
is essentially new. One may find a beautiful mansion in the midst of
a princely domain. Everything else, however, is crude. The workmen who
are scattered over the _estancia_ are ignorant and unprogressive, and
if left to themselves would retrograde. Even near the cities the people
live in a very primitive way. The roads across the pampas are hardly
distinguishable from cattle trails, and they are certainly no better.
The bones and carcasses of cattle and sheep that have died on the march
are numerous, and do not beautify the highway. The railroad maps are no
criterion of the actual settlement of the country. Names will be seen
in abundance, but most of them are only stations for freight upon big
_estancias_, with elevators, stock-pens and perhaps a water-tank. Even
a small town may be distant twenty or more miles from a farmer in some
of the older settled provinces. Everything points to a country in its
infancy. The habits of the natives and colonists are usually sluggish
and seemingly unrefined in many ways, but the kindliness and hospitality
of the Latin is everywhere in evidence. The village life of American
states is missed, for the little railroad settlements seem composed of a
shifting, wage-earning population different from our villagers, most of
whom own their own modest little dwelling. Here a shack answers for a
habitation.
Argentina could furnish homes for and feed a population of one hundred
millions. In this settlement, however, it is doubtful if the Anglo-Saxon
will have much part. It will be a harvest field for that race to reap
the wealth, but a breeding-place for the Latin. The Anglo-Saxon does
not find a companionship among the Italians and Spaniards. Furthermore
the loneliness of the plain grows upon him. The poor man who attempts
to make a home in this country, as the homesteaders have in our western
states and in Canada, will not succeed. He must have money to begin
with and ability to compete with the wealthy _estancieros_ who would be
his neighbours. There is still plenty of opportunity to acquire virgin
land at a comparatively low price within five hundred or six hundred
miles of the capital, and watch it grow in value. Some colonies or
communities have been quite successful, if the management has been in
good hands. Several European companies have tried the plan of bringing in
colonists and selling them lands. They advance money for machinery and
the necessities, receiving in payment a certain share of the products.
The Baron Hirsh colony of Jews has been quite successful, but in this
case unlimited money was back of the scheme in addition to the spirit of
benevolence rather than the commercial and money-getting mania.
[Illustration: SHIPPING HIDES TO THE UNITED STATES]
The number of acres of land under cultivation in Argentina has more
than doubled in the past ten years. The acreage that was tilled for the
season of 1909 was 47,000,000 acres. Of this number 15,500,000 was sown
in wheat, 7,500,000 in corn and 3,600,000 in flax. The following are
the figures of production of cereals as reported by the Department of
Agriculture in metric tons of 2,205 pounds avoirdupois: wheat, 2,576,009,
corn, 2,336,334, linseed, 918,413, oats, 435,540. Of this production
seventy-five per cent. of the corn is available for export, seventy per
cent. of the wheat and ninety per cent. of the linseed. Only a small
portion of the wheat is ground into flour before it is exported. The
cereals are sent to Great Britain, Germany and Belgium, although the
United States has been buying considerable quantities of linseed. There
were 2,723,000 frozen carcasses of mutton exported in 1909, going almost
wholly to Great Britain, and 2,584,301 of beef. In addition to this a
lot of jerked, or salted, beef is sent to nearby markets. The United
States purchases the bulk of the hides, and for the year 1909 received
2,608,230, weighing 38,798 metric tons. Horse hides, of which two hundred
and fifty thousand were exported, went to Germany, sheep hides to France
and goatskins to Uncle Sam. Argentina exported 176,682 metric tons of
wool, of which France took almost one half and the United States 18,961
tons more than Great Britain.
The present population of Argentina is only about five to the square
mile. In 1869 the population was estimated at less than two million.
A dozen years later it had risen to three million, and in 1895 it was
still less than four million. From 1857 to 1897 the number of immigrants
was estimated at a million and a half in round numbers. Of the total
number of inhabitants those of other than Latin origin probably do not
much exceed one hundred thousand in number—by this I mean those who do
not inherit Latin blood from one parent or the other. This would not
include the native races that dwell in considerable numbers in some of
the territories. It means that Latin customs and traditions are likely
to continue to prevail, although they will be considerably modified by
the conditions and influence of a new land. The old conservatism and
hindrance of tradition will, to a great extent, disappear before the
new-world aggressiveness and progressiveness. Thus there will be a new
type, which can already be traced, with perhaps a French stamp upon it,
but it will nevertheless be distinctively Latin.
The growth of cities and towns in Argentina has been out of proportion
to the increase in population. Buenos Aires, of course, receives the
largest number, but the same disposition to reside in the crowded centres
is apparent in Rosario, Bahia Blanca, Tucuman and the other cities. This
massing together in municipalities is not the healthiest condition that
could be devised. As none of these cities are manufacturing districts
this concentration of population hinders economic development in a
nation whose resources are in the cultivation of the soil. Every man
thus withdrawn from farm work is a loss to the producing power of the
country, for much land is lying idle for the simple reason that labourers
are lacking. Until the bulk of the land is alienated from the present
princely estates and broken up into smaller holdings it seems likely that
these conditions will continue to prevail. A change may occur before
long, as many of the big landowners borrow money at exorbitant rates
of interest in order to live in luxury. This will possibly result in
breaking up some of these holdings. If the government would enter upon a
systematic campaign to encourage the homesteader and small farmer, much
good of a permanent value might be accomplished, and a stable as well as
intelligent population be built up. The fertile soil and kindly climate
of this republic ought to easily support a population of more than five
times the present number.
Politics has been one of the curses of Argentina. A certain class has
had all the opportunity to get the benefits of office holding. The
politicians work night and day—they are the counterparts of our own,
and never sleep on the job. A little more tact and grace on the surface
only covers the same motive—graft. The elections are always one-sided.
Formerly they were conducted at the whim of a dictator or political
autocrat; to-day the ballot box is stuffed and the election laws are
ignored. The elections are never really an expression of the sentiment
of the people. They are held on Sundays at the doors of the churches.
Outside the church door are tables around which sit several men. The
ballots are of paper and are dropped through slits in the boxes. Many
hand their ballots to the receivers to be voted. Some voters openly
repeat their ballots by giving different names, and the receivers pay
no attention to the palpable fraud. In Rosario, for instance, out of
forty thousand Argentine citizens qualified to vote at the presidential
election of 1910, only ten thousand registered. Of these ten thousand
only one-fourth took out their voting tickets, and of these all did not
cast their ballot on election day. Thus less than twenty-five hundred
actually voted at the June election in Rosario, in that large city. One
party, calling themselves the Radicals, decided beforehand not to go to
the polls, because certain electoral reforms demanded by them were not
granted. Says the _Review of the River Plate_: “In electoral matters the
country is as backward as it was one hundred years ago, and outside the
federal capital there is no freedom of the polls, force always carries
the day—and the elections. The official party say that they will not
bring forward any candidate for deputy who does not subscribe fifty
thousand dollars towards the funds of the party. This is a pretty stiff
price, as the period is for six years and the emoluments of a deputy only
amount to fifteen hundred dollars a month, which is the highest figure
paid to any legislator in any part of the world. The voters’ tickets,
when issued, are often traded about and sometimes bring quite a premium
about election day.”
Mr. Carpenter tells a story about the mayor of a certain city. On the
voting list was the name of a man who was dead, and some one protested:
“Why, mayor, Munyoz is dead. Don’t you remember we were together last
month when the report of his death came in?” “Oh, yes, I remember,”
replied the mayor, “but if he is dead that is all the better; he can’t
now make any fuss as to how his vote shall be cast.” Nothing to preserve
the secrecy of the ballot has yet been adopted. This has led to much
political unrest which has shown itself in various disturbances. Added
to this has been the agitation of professional disturbers, who have
come here from Italy and Spain and attempted to spread their propaganda
of social revolution. It is a fertile soil for such doctrine, for
nowhere is the discrepancy between wealth and poverty greater. In one
generation hundreds have become wealthy by the growth in land values,
the unearned increment, and they spend their money like water. Their
arrogance inspires envy in those less fortunate. Argentina may well be
glad that the age of demagoguery has not yet been reached, for it is
fully as dangerous as open bribery and corruption, in my opinion. At
present the country is materially prosperous and every one is able to
find employment. The cost of living, however, is very high and rapidly
increasing, so that differences between capital and labour seem to be on
the increase. The enormous fortunes in the hands of the few, many of them
ignorant and without tact, may cause trouble in the future.
It is a mistaken view to think that Argentina is governed by revolution
alone. It is true that in the past quarter of a century there have been
three more or less serious revolutions, as well as minor disturbances.
Two Presidents, Celman and Saenz-Peña, were compelled to resign by these
malcontents. As a rule little blood is shed, and it was simply their
method of introducing a change. The majority of people simply looked
upon them as an interruption to business and a nuisance in general. The
government, however, has undergone a great change in recent years.
The comic-opera traits have generally disappeared. The constitution is
admirable, but its provisions are not always carried out to the letter.
The laws are much better administered in the larger centres than in the
remote Camp. Bribery used to be common, and was considered as a matter of
course as much as stamp dues. This has generally disappeared, at least as
an open custom. Many Argentinos no doubt still enter politics with the
expectation of enriching themselves and hope to retire with a well filled
purse.
It is not a rare thing for a President or other high official to quit
public life after many years of service poorer than he went in. President
Bartolomé Mitre was one of the more recent types of that kind, as he bore
a reputation for financial integrity that was absolutely above reproach.
The country is becoming too big for petty graft and petty revolutions.
The increasing importance of the nation has rather sobered all classes
by a feeling of responsibility for its reputation. The spirit that
formerly showed itself in revolutions now occasionally makes itself felt
in disorder during strikes. And yet I do not know that this disorder
is much greater than has been experienced in our own land. In either
country it is reprehensible and is a disgrace to pretended civilization.
The authorities have a drastic way of dealing with disorders by declaring
a state of siege or martial law. This submits the disturbance to be
dealt with according to military law and often effectually stops it. The
Italians are there, as here, often the greatest disturbers during the
strikes. The bull-fight has been abolished, and they now have no sport
that equals in brutality, or exceeds in gambling proclivities, the prize
fight, the so-called “manly art.”
Absolute freedom of the press prevails in Argentina, as well as liberty
of speech. The papers are at times filled with caustic criticisms of the
government which go unnoticed. Public orators also unburden themselves
with the most bitter arraignments of officials with impunity. An instance
of this nature occurred during the writer’s own sojourn in Buenos Aires.
A large meeting was held in the Plaza de Mayo where two socialist orators
arraigned the President and his ministers as “a gang of thieves” in the
most intemperate language. The Argentine constitution is so free in its
wording that the people seem to believe it has no limitations at all.
They appear to think that liberty is such an elastic and unfathomable
principle that there is nothing beyond. This intemperance, unless
checked, bodes trouble for the future. Orators and so-called advanced
thinkers must remember that the status of free men is only possible while
the beneficiary acknowledges his obligation to bestow the same privileges
that he enjoys. If the citizen is protected by law against violence and
calumny, he must not be guilty of a violation of the same legal precepts
by calumniating the government and its officials. If the officials are
forbidden to do acts which are _ultra vires_, then the citizen must
be inhibited against an excessive zeal. An ignoring of these plain
principles can lead to nothing else than anarchy and the subversion of
all legitimate government.
One cannot study this promising republic without an awakening interest
and a considerable degree of admiration. There are faults that one can
easily find, and many criticisms that can be made. Its development,
however, is recent, even if its history is as old as our own land. The
future means much for Argentina, and its advancement during the next
decade will be marvellous, unless all signs fail. The North Americans can
have an important part in this development, if they desire and pursue
the right policy. It is well to study the country and its needs, the
people and their wants, and the result will be interesting as well as
satisfactory.
THE END.
FOOTNOTES
[1] The following table shows the length of the various lines of railway
in Argentina, and the width of track, as they were at the close of 1909.
RAILWAY GAUGE MILES IN
OPERATION
Buenos Aires and Pacific broad 2,967
Great Southern ” 2,745
Central ” 2,528
Western ” 1,360
Entre Rios standard 688
Northeastern ” 560
Buenos Aires Central ” 165
Central Cordoba narrow 772
Cordoba and Rosario ” 180
Province of Santa Fé ” 1,028
Northern ” 567
Central Northern ” 1,409
------
14,969
[2] The author desires to acknowledge his obligation for a number of
historical facts to the South American Republics, by Hon. Thomas C.
Dawson, and published by G. P. Putnam’s Sons, of New York and London.
APPENDICES
I
AREA AND POPULATION
The population of Argentina to-day probably exceeds six and a half
millions. This does not average quite six to the square mile, a very
small population indeed, considering the great extent of fertile and
productive soil. Only a very small proportion of the inhabitants are
other than Caucasians, a marked distinction over the other republics of
South America. The states are very unequal in size, and the population
is very unevenly distributed, as the following table, furnished by the
National Demographic Bureau for 1908, will show:
---------------------+-----------+------------+---------------------
Provinces | Area | Population | Capital
---------------------+-----------+------------+---------------------
Buenos Aires | 117,720 | 1,647,029 | La Plata
Catamarca | 47,500 | 106,891 | Catamarca
Cordoba | 62,130 | 546,844 | Cordoba
Corrientes | 32,560 | 319,386 | Corrientes
Entre Rios | 28,770 | 406,867 | Paraná
Jujuy | 18,970 | 59,075 | Jujuy
Mendoza | 56,470 | 216,196 | Mendoza
La Rioja | 34,530 | 86,851 | La Rioja
Salta | 62,150 | 142,937 | Salta
San Juan | 33,700 | 111,743 | San Juan
Santa Fé | 50,890 | 816,401 | Santa Fé
Santiago del Estero | 39,740 | 198,529 | Santiago del Estero
San Luis | 28,520 | 107,471 | San Luis
Tucuman | 8,920 | 293,211 | Tucuman
Federal District | 70 | 1,189,252 | Buenos Aires
---------------------+-----------+------------+---------------------
Territories | Area | Population | Capital
---------------------+-----------+------------+---------------------
Chaco | 52,710 | 23,876 | Resistencia
Chubut | 93,380 | 24,317 | Rawson
Formosa | 41,380 | 13,995 | Formosa
Los Andes | 22,000 | 2,246 | San Antonio
Misiones | 11,820 | 42,933 | Posadas
Neuquen | 42,320 | 26,417 | Chos Malal
La Pampa | 56,290 | 76,393 | General Acha
Rio Negro | 75,890 | 24,312 | Viedma
Santa Cruz | 109,090 | 4,214 | Puerto Gallegos
Tierra del Fuego | 8,290 | 1,637 | Ushuaia
| --------- | --------- |
| 1,135,810 | 6,489,023 |
---------------------+-----------+------------+---------------------
II
SUGGESTIONS FOR TRAVELLERS
It is no longer necessary for the person visiting Argentina to take the
roundabout way via Europe. The Lamport and Holt Company runs some very
comfortable boats between New York and Buenos Aires, making the round
trip in from twenty-three to twenty-six days. Since the completion of
the Transandine Railway one can go from New York to Buenos Aires by
the way of Panama and the West Coast, in even a shorter time, if close
connections are made. The Pacific Steam Navigation Company and Compañia
Sud Americana de Vapores maintain a joint service between Panama and
Valparaiso, stopping at a number of ports en route. It is advisable
for any one visiting that country to go by one route and return by the
other, and thus secure a comprehensive view of the greater part of South
America. It requires from ten to fourteen days to make the trip between
Buenos Aires and Valparaiso via the Straits of Magellan. The boats
that make that trip do not go up the river to Buenos Aires, but it is
necessary to transship at Montevideo.
One should not miss the opportunity to visit Montevideo, capital of
Uruguay, which is a night’s journey from Buenos Aires down the Rio de
la Plata, and on the opposite shore. Comfortable steamers make the trip
every night, and the charge is $5.00, including berth. Montevideo is an
attractive city of about four hundred thousand people, and contests with
Santiago, Chile, for the position of third city in South America. Two
or three days can be devoted to that city very profitably, even by the
hurried traveller, and there are two or three very comfortable hotels.
The money of Uruguay is on a gold basis, the peso being worth about $1.04
in United States currency.
It is well to remember that the Spanish language is universally used in
Argentina. In the cities, however, there are numerous British residents,
and quite a number of Germans, most of whom understand English; so
that it is not difficult at all for one to visit the populated centres
of that country without being able to speak the Spanish language. The
railways are almost entirely under British management, so that it is
generally possible to find some one speaking English at the stations
in the important towns. At the hotels it is not so easy to find an
English-speaking clerk or waiter, although there are quite a number who
keep a clerk who understands English. Comfortable hotels will be found
in most of the cities, as new ones have been erected within the past few
years, owing to the increased travel and the growth of the cities. In the
city of Buenos Aires there are many hotels of merit. The Phœnix, at which
the writer stopped, is a very comfortable hotel and centrally located,
with an English air predominating, and is a favourite stopping-place for
English-speaking people. The hotel rates at most of the hotels are rather
higher than for similar accommodations in the United States. The rates
are generally inclusive, and provide for coffee and rolls in the morning,
which is generally served in the bedroom, and two substantial meals which
differ very little.
The railway equipment of the roads in Argentina is generally very good,
with wide and comfortable coaches and good seats, although one wishes
for the Pullman trains of our own country on the long journeys. The
principal discomfort arises from the dust, which at times fills the cars
and covers everything. The sleeping-cars are all of the compartment style
and are quite comfortable. The dining-car service is very commendable,
and an excellent meal of several courses is furnished at a uniform price
of two pesos, so that with the tip and all it does not cost the traveller
to exceed $1.00 in United States currency.
The money of Argentina is all arranged upon the decimal system. The
standard of their currency is the peso, which is divided into one hundred
centavos, and has a pretty fixed value of about forty-three cents in
money of the United States. The money is nearly all paper, as very little
gold gets into circulation. Rates of postage are about the same as
everywhere in the postal union. A letter to the United States or England
costs twelve centavos, and a postal card five centavos. The service is
prompt and reliable.
The price of clothing and most articles of wear is rather high, because
the import duties in many instances are excessive, but they are not, as
a rule, so high as in Brazil. In Buenos Aires one will find some very
fine stores where almost anything can be purchased, and the goods are
well displayed. There is in that city one of the largest mercantile
establishments in the world, which has a number of branches in the
capital as well as in some of the other cities. There are several English
bookstores where books and American magazines can be purchased, although
the prices are rather staggering. Cab charges in most of the cities are
very reasonable, and in some places extremely low. It is best to find out
beforehand at your hotel, or some other place, what the local rates are.
At the end of the journey give that amount to the driver, together with
a small tip, and do not ask him the price, or enter into any controversy
with him. Like his counterpart in almost every other country, the cab
driver in Buenos Aires will take advantage of the stranger in his charges
if the opportunity affords. Electric street cars reach every part of the
city, and the fare is ten centavos. The routes are rather complicated,
however. Each car bears a number, and the traveller should secure a book
giving the various routes by numbers.
In planning a visit to Argentina the traveller must never forget that
the seasons are reversed, and that summer time in the United States is
winter time in Argentina. Buenos Aires is about the same latitude as
Atlanta, Georgia, and Los Angeles, California. As you go north from there
the temperature gets warmer, and when you go south it becomes colder,
being just the reverse of conditions in northern latitudes. Furthermore,
the temperature changes with the altitude, and as you go up the Andes,
there is a perceptible change of temperature for each thousand feet
of elevation, and the clothes to be taken along should be arranged in
accordance with these suggestions.
III
BIBLIOGRAPHY
For the benefit of those interested in a further study of Argentina, the
following list of books treating wholly or in part of that republic is
herewith appended. It is not a long list, for the literature upon that
country is not extensive, and some of those cited contain only a few
chapters devoted to this large and virile republic.
AKERS, CHARLES EDMOND: A History of South America, 1854-1904.
London, 1904.
BEERBOHM, JULIUS: Wanderings in Patagonia; or, Life Among the
Ostrich-Hunters. London, 1879.
CARPENTER, FRANK G.: South America: social, industrial, and
political. Akron, Ohio, 1900.
CLARK, FRANCIS E.: The Continent of Opportunity. New York, 1907.
CURTIS, WILLIAM ELEROY: The Capitals of Spanish America. New
York, 1888.
DAWSON, THOMAS C.: The South American Republics (an excellent
history). New York, 1903.
DIXIE, FLORENCE: Across Patagonia. London, 1880.
FITZGERALD, E. A.: The Highest Andes. London, 1899.
GRANT, ROBERT, & CO.: Handy Guide to the Argentine Republic.
Buenos Aires, 1909.
HALE, ALBERT: The South Americans. Indianapolis, 1907.
HUTCHINSON, LINCOLN: Report on Trade Conditions in Argentina,
Paraguay and Uruguay. Washington, 1906.
HUDSON, W. H.: The Naturalist in La Plata. London, 1903.
KOEBEL, W. H.: Modern Argentina; the El Dorado of To-day.
London, 1907.
MARTIN, PERCY F.: Through Five Republics of South America.
London, 1906.
MITRE, BARTOLOMÉ: The Emancipation of South America and the
History of San Martin. (Translation.) London, 1893.
PAGE, THOMAS J.: La Plata, the Argentine Confederation, a
narrative of exploration by the United States. New York, 1859.
PELLESCHI, JUAN: Eight Months on the Gran Chaco. London, 1886.
PRITCHARD, H. HESKETH: Through the Heart of Patagonia. London,
1902.
RUHL, ARTHUR: The Other Americans. New York, 1907.
SHAW, ARTHUR E.: Forty Years in the Argentine Republic. London,
1902.
SPEARS, JOHN R.: The Gold Diggings of Cape Horn. New York, 1895.
TURNER, THOMAS A.: Argentina and the Argentines. London, 1892.
VINCENT, FRANK: Around and About South America. New York, 1890.
WHITE, ERNEST WILLIAM: Cameos from the Silverland. London, 1882.
WIBORG, FRANK: A Commercial Traveller in South America. New
York, 1905.
INDEX
Aconcagua, Mt., 2, 176, 182-8, 316.
Aguas Corrientes, 47.
Agriculture, 51, 63, 162, 234, 394.
Alfalfa, 51.
Alvear, Avenida, 35.
Alvear, General, 323.
Amazon River, 74.
Americans, 32, 362, 365, 380.
Andes Mountains, 2, 135, 173-188.
Anglican Church, 294.
Animals, 91, 145.
Antarctic Ocean, 154.
Anthrax, 66.
Architecture, 38, 242.
Area, 1, 405.
Argentine Northern Railway, 278.
Aristocracy, 190.
Army, the, 249 _et seq._
Arrieros, 183.
Art, 242.
_Asado con cuero_, 69.
Asuncion, Paraguay, 10, 76, 281.
Atlantic Ocean, 5.
Avellaneda, Nicolás, 237, 339.
Bahia Blanca, 8, 128-132, 272, 284.
Balconies, 201.
Banks, 375, 388.
Banco Nacional, 351.
Bargaining, 40.
Battleships, 256-8, 362.
Bathing resorts, 221-9.
Beauty, love of, 37.
Belgrano, Manuel, 309-311, 322.
Belgrano, town of, 38.
Bermejo River, 4, 88.
Betting, 209.
Bibliography, 413.
Birds, 91, 115, 164.
Boating, 217.
Bohorquez, 304.
Bolivia, Republic of, 113, 277.
Bolsa, 390.
Bolivar, General, 20.
Bolas, the, 149.
Boundary commission, 140.
Buenos Aires, city of, 1, 4, 10, 16, 22 _et seq._, 77, 122, 158, 192,
234, 235, 260, 274, 281, 377;
province of, 7, 128-132;
lake of, 145, 285.
Buenos Aires and Pacific Railway, 158, 267-273.
Buenos Aires and Rosario Railway, 274.
Brazil, Republic of, 19, 74, 254, 371.
British, 23, 32, 189, 198, 366, 386.
Bribery, 401.
Brown, Admiral William, 323.
Buildings, 242.
Cab drivers, victory of, 166.
Cabs, 227, 411.
Cabinet, the, 15.
Cabot, Sebastian, 78.
Callao, Peru, 301.
Camino de los Andes, 269.
Camp, 10, 22, 48 _et seq._, 227.
Campo, 48 _et seq._
Campaña, 79.
Caracoles, 178, 268.
_Casuchas_, 183.
Catamarca, province of, 114, 278.
Cathedral, the, 244, 294.
Cattle, 50, 56, 144.
Cattle dip, 58.
Cavaliers, Spanish, 242.
Celman, Miguel Juarez, 345-348, 388, 400.
Cemeteries, 43.
Central Argentina Railway, 273-5.
Centennial, 377-381.
Centralization, 16.
Chacabuco, 163, 317.
Chaco, the Gran, 3, 89-98, 108.
Chile, Republic of, 2, 114, 151, 177, 268, 284, 372.
Children, 203-8.
Chos Malal, 134.
Christ of the Andes, 176, 268.
Chubut River, 133.
Church, the, 287 _et seq._
Churches, 244.
City, a model, 121-6.
Cities, 196, 396.
Cleveland, President, 355.
Climate, 5.
Clubs, 28, 219.
Coal, 120.
Cochrane, Lord, 318.
Copper, 119.
Colorado River, 133.
Colon Theatre, 245.
Colonia, Uruguay, 305.
Commercial code, 389.
Commerce, 285.
Concordia, 86.
Condor, the, 115-8.
Congress, 14, 322, 331.
Congress, Palace of, 35, 381.
Conservatism, 200.
Constitution, 332, 402.
Cordoba, province of, 109-111, 115;
city of, 18, 110-1, 233.
Cordoba Central Railway, 111.
Cordoba League, 341, 346.
Corrientes, province of, 80, 86;
city of, 80.
Corso, the, 169.
Cordilleras, 179.
Cortez, Hernando, 243.
Corruption, 40.
Courtesy, 204.
Cowboys, American, 72.
Cristobal Colon, Paseo of, 39.
Cumbre, the, 181, 182, 268.
Customs, 214, 224.
Darwin, Charles, 140.
Defence, forces of, 246 _et seq._
Deputies, 14.
Derqui, Santiago, 333.
Desolation Island, 153.
Dictators, 321.
Dining-cars, 159.
Distances, big, 138.
Discovery, 17.
Docks, 24, 26.
Dolores, 129.
Dorrego, President, 323.
Drama, the, 237.
Drake, Sir Francis, 139.
Dreadnaughts, new, 254.
Drive, the, or Corso, 29.
Drouths, 56.
Dust, 160.
Earthquake, 167.
Education, 230 _et seq._
Elections, 13, 397.
El Portillo, 179.
English, 198.
England, war with, 307.
Enseñada, 122, 265.
Entre Rios, province of, 79, 86.
Entre Rios Railway, 280.
_Estancias_, 53, 142, 162.
_Estancieros_, 35, 55, 191.
Europe, 384.
Expensiveness, 410.
Exports, 369, 394.
Failures, 391.
Farms, big, 9, 138.
Federalists, 329.
_Fiestas_, 169.
Figueroa Alcorta, José, 358-9.
Finances, 387.
Fire department, 46.
Fishing, 228.
Flamingoes, 164.
Flax, 9.
Florida, Calle, 30.
Football, 199.
Foreign influence, 13.
Foreigners, 11, 87, 379, 384.
Forests, 90, 135.
Formosa, territory of, 89.
Fray Bentos, Uruguay, 85.
Freedom, political, 197.
_Frigorificos_, 79, 386.
Frozen meat, 61.
Fruits, 172, 217.
Fuegian Archipelago, 151.
Funerals, 44.
Future, the, 10, 403.
Gallegos, 140.
Gambling, 209, 213, 227.
Gaucho, the, 67 _et seq._, 324.
General Acha, 133.
Germans, 23, 361, 364, 367.
Glaciers, 153.
Gold, 118, 291.
Golf, 223.
Government, 14, 197, 400.
Gran Chaco, 278.
Grains, 394.
Grapes, 171.
Great Britain, war with, 18.
Great Southern Railway, 129, 131, 133, 282-4.
Ground rats, 152.
Guanaco, 144.
Guenas, 276.
Harvesting, 64.
Hayes, President, as arbitrator, 89.
Hides, 395.
Hippodromo, 210.
History, 17-20, 298 _et seq._
Hotels, 226, 409.
Hotel Bristol, 226.
Holidays, 42.
Horcones Valley, 181.
Horn, Cape, 153.
Horses, 9, 63.
Horse racing, 209-216.
Hospitals, 42.
Ibera, Lake of, 87.
Iguassú River, 81, 305;
Falls, 81-3.
Immigration, 382.
Imports, 369.
Incas, the, 287, 299.
Incas, Bridge of the, 174, 267, 316.
Indians, 17, 95-8, 148-151, 155-7, 287-9, 299.
Independence, 19, 309.
Industry, 35.
Ingeniero White, 131.
Inquisition, 20.
Insects, 91.
Instruction, public, 232.
Italians, 32, 54, 65, 202, 383, 402.
Irrigation, 134, 170.
Jesuits, 18, 87, 289.
Jews, 394.
Jockey Club, 28, 210-2.
Journalism, 237, 239.
Jujuy, province of, 113-4;
city of, 114, 277.
Juncal, 181.
Lakes, 86.
Language, 408.
La Guayra, Falls of, 83-4.
La Prensa, 362, 363.
La Plata, City of, 121-6, 233, 345.
La Plata, Rio de, 3, 17, 74 _et seq._, 218, 258.
La Pampa, territory of, 132, 282.
La Paz, Bolivia, 278.
La Quiaca, 277.
Las Cuevas, 174, 268.
Lavalle, General, 323, 325.
League, 9.
Lecherias, 46.
Libraries, Public, 230.
Lima, Peru, 278.
Liquor license, 46.
Literature, 236-9.
Locusts, 56, 102-8, 162.
Lopez, the Paraguayan dictator, 336.
Los Andes, Chile, 178, 268.
Los Andes, territory of, 114.
Lottery, National, 46.
Madrid, Spain, 10.
Magellan, Ferdinand, 17, 138, 151.
Magellan, Straits of, 136, 271.
Maipu, 129.
Martial law, 402.
Mar del Plata, 129, 221-9.
Marble, 119.
Markets, 39.
Matto Grosso, Brazil, 88, 108.
Mayo, Avenida de, 34;
Plaza de, 35.
Meat export, 394.
Mendoza, Pedro de, 17.
Mendoza, city of, 165-173, 267, 358;
province of, 119;
river of, 174.
Mercedes, Villa, 163.
Mercaderio Mt., 180, 181.
Methodist Episcopal Church, 295.
Mihanovitch, Nicolas, 75.
Milkman, the, 41.
Military service, 251.
Minerals, 118-9.
Misiones, territory of, 3, 8, 80, 86-8, 290.
Mississippi River, 3.
Mitre, Bartolomé, 237, 241, 333-8, 340, 352, 401.
Monroe Doctrine, 300.
Montevideo, Uruguay, 3, 11, 308, 408.
Money, 16, 410.
Monotony of pampas, 49.
Morris Schools, 296.
Mud huts, 49, 54.
Museum, 127.
Nahuel Huapi, 284.
National Railways, 278, 284.
Naval School, 253.
Navy, 252-9.
Negro River, 133.
Neuquen, town of, 133, 284;
territory of, 134.
Newness, 391.
Newspapers, 239-242, 363.
_Nieve Penitente_, 182.
Northeastern Railway, 280.
Observatory, 165.
O’Higgins, General, 318.
Open Door, the, 163.
Oran, 277.
Ostriches, 164.
Onas, the, 155.
Pacific Steam Navigation Company, the, 264.
Palms, 90.
Palermo Park, 29.
Pampas, the, 2, 8, 24, 48 _et seq._, 137, 161, 381-3.
Pampero, 160.
Pampa Blanca, 276.
Panama, 271, 301, 407.
Pan-American Congress, 380.
Paraguay, Republic of, 11, 21, 281, 289.
Paraguay River, 4, 77, 80, 88.
Paraguayan War, 337.
Paraná, city of, 79, 332.
Paraná River, 4, 61, 75-81, 100, 280, 332.
Paraiso tree, 105.
Paris, 22.
Parks, 37.
Patagonia, 3, 6, 62, 115, 132, 136 _et seq._, 160, 285, 292, 340.
Patio, the, 38.
Patriotism, 119.
Paulistas, the, 305.
Pellegrini, Carlos, 237, 350-351, 354.
Penguins, 156.
People, 189 _et seq._
Peru, Republic of, 318.
Pilcomayo River, 4, 88.
Pizarro, 243.
Plaza de Mayo, 13, 244.
Pleasure, love of, 27.
Poetry, 237.
Police, 34, 246.
Politics, 195, 237, 297.
Policy, Spanish, toward Colonies, 300.
Polygamy, Indian, 97.
Poncho, the, 69.
Population, 1, 395, 405.
Poplars, 170.
Porteños, 22, 192, 342.
Portugal, 18.
Portuguese, 304.
Postage, 410.
Post-office, 16.
Posadas, 80, 281.
Possibilities, 393.
Pueyrredon, 314.
Prensa, La, 239.
Press, the, 239-242;
freedom of, 402.
President, the, 14, 293.
Prisons, 155.
Presbyterian Church, 294.
Provinces, 14.
Provincia de Santa Fé Railway, 279.
Promenades, 225.
Protestantism, 294.
Puerto Galvan, 131.
Puerto Deseado, 284.
Puerto Militar, 130, 258.
Puente del Inca (_See_ Bridge of the Incas).
Purchasing power, 370.
Pullmans, 261.
Punta Arenas, 146-8, 154.
Quebracho, 92-5, 279.
Quintana, Manuel, 357.
Quito, Ecuador, 307.
Races, 29.
Rainfall, 6, 8.
Railroads, 194, 260 _et seq._, 409.
Rambla, the, 225.
Religion, 207, 287 _et seq._
Resistencia, 279.
Restaurants, 31.
Review, annual, of navy, 258.
Revolutions, 11, 19, 321, 342, 349, 358, 400.
Ricoleta Cemetery, 43.
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 23.
Rioja, province of, 114, 278;
city of, 114.
Rio Negro, 133;
territory of, 133.
Rio Primero, 110.
Rio Quinto, 163.
Rivadavia, Bernardo, 19, 322.
Rivers, 3-5.
Roca, Julio, 340, 342-5, 355-7.
Rocking Stone, 129.
Rodeo, the, 71.
Roman Catholicism, 237 _et seq._
Rosario, 7, 22, 75, 79, 99-101, 273, 398.
Rosas, Juan Manuel, 238, 324-7.
Routes, 407.
Saavedra, Hernandarios, 304.
Saenz Peña, Luis, 352-4, 400.
Saenz Peña, Roque, 359.
Salta, province of, 113, 114, 276.
Salto del Soldado, 179.
San Antonio, Cape, 3.
San Antonio, 284.
San Carlos, 272.
San Domingo, church of, 295, 308.
San Ignacio, 87.
San Julian, 140.
San Juan, 272.
San Luis, 165.
San Martin, José de, 311-9
San Rafael, 272.
Santa Cruz, 140.
Santa Catalina, 234.
Santa Fé, city of, 18, 80, 101, 331;
province of, 101-2, 115, 163.
Santa Maria, Cape, 3.
Santiago, Chile, 186, 317, 408.
Santiago del Estero, province of, 275.
Sarmiento, President, 230, 337.
Scab, the, 143.
Schools, 232-6.
Seasons, 221, 411.
Senators, 14.
Sheep, 9, 50, 57, 59, 141;
shearing of, 61.
Sheep dip, 143.
Shipping, 25.
Siesta, the, 66.
Silver, River of (_See_ Rio de La Plata).
Smuggling, 302.
Smythe Channel, 154.
Snakes, 91.
Snow, 6.
Socialism, 399.
Socialists, 402.
Society, 190.
Soldier’s Leap, 179.
Solis, Juan de, 17.
Solitudes of the Andes, 181.
Southern Cross, 220.
Southern Railway (_See_ Great Southern).
Spain, 18.
Spaniards, 11, 23, 32, 203, 288, 298, 383.
Sports, 199, 209.
Stock exchange, 390.
Stores, 410.
Straits of Magellan, 153.
Strangers’ Club, 28.
Streets, 30, 33.
Strikes, 196, 401.
Suggestions, for trade, 375;
for travellers, 407-412.
Superficiality, 230, 234.
Superstition of Indians, 149.
Tala, 276.
Tannin Extract, 92-5.
Tandil, 129.
Tattooing, Indian, 96.
Technical schools, 233.
Tehuelches, the, 148-9.
Telegraph, 16.
Temperly, 128.
Temperature, 5, 8, 411.
Territories, 14.
Theatres, 28, 31, 245.
Threshing, 53.
Tierra del Fuego, 2, 8, 118, 136, 152-7.
Tigre, El, 216-220.
Timber, 3, 135.
Tiro Nacional, 339.
Titicaca, Lake, 278.
Toay, 133.
Toldos, 148.
Trade conditions, 361.
Transandine Railway, 265, 267.
Trasandino Chileno Railway, 268.
Transcontinental Railway, 178.
Travelling, 158, 407-412.
Tropic of Capricorn, 1, 114.
Tropics, the, 8.
Tucuman, city of, 18, 111-3, 275, 314, 325;
province of, 113.
Tupi-Guarani Indians, 299.
Tupiza, Bolivia, 278.
Tupungato, Mt., 2, 176, 181.
Uberaponga Falls, 83.
Undertakers, 44.
Unitarians, 325, 329.
United States, 8, 254, 374, 395.
Union Civica, 347.
Universities, 126, 233-6.
Urquiza, General, 327, 331.
Uriburu, José, 354.
Uruguay, Republic of, 11, 19, 21, 305, 326.
Uruguay River, 4, 75, 84-6, 280.
Ushuaia, 154.
Uspallata, 180, 316.
Valparaiso, 178, 264, 268.
Vendors, street, 41.
Vermejo River (_See_ Bermejo).
Viceroy of Peru, 303.
Villa Encarnacion, 281.
Villa Mercedes, 269.
Villages, 392.
Vultures, 116.
Wages, 371.
Warehouses, 26.
Washington, George, 32.
Wastefulness, 193.
Water, 8.
Water supply, 47.
Wells, 66.
Welsh settlements, 141.
Western Railway, 132, 282.
Wheat, 53, 64, 79.
Wheelwright, William, 263.
Wine industry, 170-3.
Wind, the, 144.
Windmills, 8, 51, 66.
Women, 23, 30, 200-3, 217.
Wool, 395.
Yahgans, the, 156.
Young Men’s Christian Association, 297.
Zeballos, Pedro de, 306.
Zarate, 79.