The Daily News. MONDAY, JULY 18. THE ARGENTINA.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 84, 18 July 1910, Page 4

The Daily News. MONDAY, JULY 18. THE ARGENTINA.

In the matter of lamb, mutton, wool and I beef the Argentine is probably our biggest rival on the London markets. The time was when she was also regarded, at any rate in this country, as a dangerous rival in dairy products. But the country \ has proved unsuitable for the industry, j and consequently her dairy exports arc ; showing a big falling-oil Argentina, re- j jcently celebrated her eenteuan, and the I event has given the Lonuou Times an j opportunity of sketching the rise of this j great country. When the people of Buenos Ay res removed the Spanish Viceroy, proclaimed a new and independent junta, and set about framing a provisional constitution, they could not nave foreseen the vast' consequences which were to flow from their act. They were not only proclaiming the independence of the River Plate Region. They were starting a movement which swiftly brought about the independence of almost the whole of South America. Nor can we regard the late celebrations in the Argentine Republic—the exhibitions, the congresses, the unveiling of monuments —as being in any sense limited to merely national rejoicing. They had a larger significance. They signalised the attainment by one at least of the States of South America of the place it has earned among the greater nations of the earth. They serve as a timely reminder to the older continents that South America, considered as a whole, is becoming a factor of great and increasing importance in the world's politics and trade. The South American Republics have grown to maturity, amid much strife and frequent bloodshed, almost unregarded. They have been so intern Upon working, out their own salvation that they have rarely knocked at the doors of Europe, and Europe has responded by showing small interest in their condition and their welfare. ike last ten years have amply compensated Argentina for long decades of trouble and reverses. Her people have reared * splendid capital, the second Latin city in the world. They have opened up their country with railways. They have rehabilitated their credit and gained the confidence of the Bourses. They are making the most of their magnificent climate. They are turning their rich lands into a granary, they are covering their illimitable plains with flocks and herds. While they have done all this, they have gradually established their claim to be "the most peaceful country in the world." It is some satisfaction to recall that the development of Argentina was greatly helped by the supply of an abundance of British capital. Over £500,000,000 of British money is invested in th« country. Even in the days of its adversity British investors never lost faith in the destinies of the Republic. Those destinies are now assured, though Argentina still has many vacant spaces to fill. The "quarrel with Spain has long been buried in oblivion, and, while Spain regards her offspring with pride tinged with regret, Argentina has no other feeling for Spain than a warmth approaching to filial devotion. A Spanish Princess graced the celebrations at Buenos Ayres and a Spanish King personally attended the departure of the deputation sent from Madrid. The news that Ferdinand Vn| had abdicated the Throne of Spain and that Napoleon was virtually its monarch was brought to Buenos Ayres by an English schooner on May 18,1810. The municipal authorities and leading citizens met at once to discuss the situation. Then began what is called the "Week of May." It was agreed on May 21 that on the following day the Assembly should meet. The Assembly declared that, Spain beinr in the power of the French, the colonies had acquired the right of self-govern-ment. The British who still remained in the country threw themselves energetically into the movement. The Assembly was in session from morning till night. It declared that the Viceroy had ceased to exercise authority, which was entrusted to the Cabinet of the Assembly, i.e., the municipality of Buenos Ayres, Until the provinces could send deputies to a congress to decide upon a new form of Government. The Cabinet, however, instead of carrying out this resolution, agreed with the Viceroy to create an Assembly over which he should preside, thus adopting a form of popular Government, but preserving the colony for the Spanish Crown. When the people discovered the intentions of the (Jabinet and the Viceroy they were indignant, and, with the support' of the forces commanded by the leaders of the "Patriots," they nominated a committee to form a National Assembly, from which the Viceroy was excluded. The "Week" ended on May 25 with a resolution by the Assembly establishing an Argentine Government in place of the Viceroyalty f Spain. The intention to proclaim tVe independence of the country is clearly visible throughout the events of the "Week of May." but that intention was not at first acknowledged. The Argentine Government was to administer the Viceroyalty of the Rio de la (Plata in the name of Ferdinand VTI. during his captivity. But the spirit of independence grew too rapidly for a return to the old rule to be possible. In 1813 the blue and white flag of Argentina displaced the flaw of Spain, and on July !). 1816, in the city of Tncnmaii fin the interior of the country), a National Assembly met. pro-' claimed the political emancipation of the country from Spain, and vested the Government in the hands of representatives i.of the people. No less than 50 years of strife and civil Avar were the lot of the people after thev had gained their liberty. The development of the country was restricted, and commerce struggled hard to live and grow during these years. But it did grow. The natural resources of the Republic were so rich that

even civil war could not prevent successful exploitation. Pellegrini, another of Argentina's great leaders, helped to steer the Republic clear of the last financial crisis and revolution in 181)0, and devised a scheme to place the finances on'a sound basis. In 1825 the population of liui-no;,-Ayres was 183,000: to-day it is well over 1,200.0(10. The exports of the Republic in ISSO amounted to £2.000.00(1; i:isr. year the value of the agricultural harvest was over 102'/. millions sterling, and the total production about 220 millions ' sterling. The entire population of the i Republic hardly exceeds millions, bin jit growing rapidly and steadily. All j that the country wants is labor; and i new sources of boundless wealth arc {yearly being held out to the hand of labor. Life, liberty and property are | safe and secured by well-administered ! laws.