Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, Transmitted to Congress, With the Annual Message of the President, December 1, 1873
No. 10.
Mr. White to Mr. Fish.
Buenos Ayre, June 8, 1873. (Received July 22.)
Sir: I respectfully transmit herewith a copy of the message of President Sarmiento to the Congress of this republic at the opening of its present session, and have marked such passages as are deemed noteworthy as showing the advancement of this people in modern civilization.
[Page 39]While commentary upon any of the subjects thus designated may be unnecessary, I trust it will not be deemed improper to call the special attention of the Department to the following paragraph of the message:
A discussion is pending with Chili upon the Straits of Magellan, and a recent circumstance which might have endangered a peaceable solution of the question was amicably disposed of the very moment it assumed a disagreeable character. Whatever importance may be given to this subject, the governments of Chili and of this Republic, in prevision of any serious difficulty, have established by treaty that the question of boundaries should be submitted to arbitration in the event of a failure by diplomatic means. This honorable method of settling international disputes was adopted only a short time ago by two of the most powerful nations of the earth, and should, be imitated, as it was applauded, by all others.
This seems to furnish a striking proof of the wisdom which dictated the establishment of the principle that war, with its long train of concomitant evils, may be honorably avoided in most, if not all cases, by reference of disputed questions between nations to the award of disinterested parties. The history of the Spanish-American states exhibits among their peoples a keen sensitiveness upon all questions affecting their national honor, or the integrity of their territory, and a strongly marked tendency to belligerency as the proper method of settling them. The prompt adoption of the precedent established by Great Britain and the United States, by people with such tendencies, is, to say the least, a gratifying evidence of the progress of anti-war sentiment, and warrants the hope that this, or similar methods of adjusting differences between civilized nations, may become general.
The realization of this hope would constitute at once an era in the history of civilization, and one of the most glorious pages in that of the great nations by whose agency it was accomplished.
I have, &c.,
Message of President Sarmiento to the Congress of the Argentine Republic.
Messrs. Senators and Deputies: Upon opening the legislative chambers this year I feel much pleasure in saluting the members now present. The recent carrying out of the law relative to the census returns enables us to enter fully upon the representative system.
The past year has been remarkable for the peace enjoyed by all nations, and more particularly our own.
The benefits of peace may be judged by the increase of prosperity shown by the extraordinary value of land, the accumulation of capitals, the multitude and variety of enterprises set on foot, and the increase of income. It may be said without exaggeration that this is one of the countries which, as far as material progress is concerned, exceeds every other upon the face of the globe.
In a separate message the executive purposes laying before the house the attempts at a revolution in Entre Rios, on the 1st of the present month, and the measures adopted to render those attempts abortive.
foreign affairs.
Our relations with other governments continue on a footing of friendship, and in that conciliatory spirit which is characteristic of the institutions we enjoy. Various treaties and conventions have been entered into, or are pending your resolutions thereupon, in order that the reciprocal interests involved may obtain a more perfect solution.
By means of a diplomatic mission the difficulties with Brazil relative to the practical mode of carrying out the treaty of alliance were satisfactorily terminated; and it is my duty to add that the government of that empire have fully justified our previous assertion, that the incidents which gave rise to the misunderstanding have in nowise diminished the cordiality between that country and the Argentine Confederation.
[Page 40]A discussion is pending with Chili upon the Straits of Magellan, and a recent circumstance, which might have endangered a peaceable solution of the question, was amicably disposed of the very moment it assumed a disagreeable character.
Whatever importance may be given to this subject the governments of Chili and of this republic, in prevision of any serious difficulty, have established by treaty that the question of boundaries should be submitted to arbitration, in the event of a failure by diplomatic means. This honorable method of settling international disputes was adopted only a short time ago by two of the most powerful nations of the earth, and should be imitated, as it was applauded, by all others.
A minister plenipotentiary has been sent to Paraguay for concluding the treaties consequent upon the alliance, and a favorable result is confidently anticipated notwithstanding the revolutionary spirit observable in that republic.
With Bolivia little has been done on account of the absence of the minister who commenced the negotiations. It may perhaps be necessary to appoint one to that republic in order that a definite arrangement may be arrived at, everything for the present remaining in statu quo.
Quarantine arrangements are in course of discussion with the government of Montevideo, together with others, for the prevention of smuggling.
The postal law is in operation with the United States, and that of extradition with Brazil; the postal law with the latter being yet pending, as also the treaty of friendship and commerce with Sweden and Norway for reforms introduced by congress.
public instructions.
Four thousand pupils are now being educated in what is generally termed primary instruction in the national school. Taking into account, also, the number of children under instruction in private colleges, great advancement in this respect may be said to have been made during the present year.
Two of the provinces have claimed the premium of $10,000 accorded to those who succeeded in registering in their respective schools a number of pupils equal to the tenth part of their population.
Yarious provinces have passed laws for the purpose of raising funds of their own in order to dispense with the national subvention, thus becoming independent of so precarious a situation.
From an official census, taken with great care, it is shown that 97,549 pupils are under education at 1,645 schools, to which number Buenos Ayers contributes 32,000, and, if those who attend the university, the seminaries, and private colleges be taken into account, the number is then increased to 103,000 Argentines now receiving education.
libraries.
A great and pleasing effort, in which the administration has taken an active part, has been made for the purpose of circulating books, the truest and most important food for the mind.
One hundred and twelve libraries have been established in various parts of the republic, some so obscure and remote that their very existence may be said to have been revealed thereby. And should this movement continue to increase as hitherto, it may be asserted that every book published in any and every part of the world in the Spanish language will be read three months afterward by the whole population of the republic. By these means we should succeed in bringing the people into direct and immediate contact with human thought in different parts of the world where the Spanish language was employed as the means of conveying it.
If this system were generalized throughout Spanish America, it would be impossible to foresee the intellectual progress that would result, facilitating, by a large circulation, a knowledge of the daily advancement of other nations, thus contributing to the common fund of human knowledge.
The government, to give an impulse to this system of diffusing instruction, would go so far as to make it a matter of diplomatic convention with the remainder of the Spanish-American republics.
The Normal School of Preceptors in Parana has now been established two years, and everything leads to the belief (thanks to the zeal and professional capacities of its director) that, when the studies are terminated, there will be a number of theoretically practical men prepared to impart instruction, the only true basis that should be sought for all republican institutions.
The Normal School at Tucuman is in course of construction, and many other public buildings are in preparation and under repair for the purpose of giving greater facility and a wider extension to education generally.
The Astronomical Observatory, now terminated, is becoming of importance, having already been the means of furnishing science with new and interesting data.
[Page 41]home department.
The telegraph-wires and even railways have suffered by late inundations, which have caused ravages in many of the provinces, and an outlay for repairs will have to be submitted to.
The government, depending upon your approbation, granted funds for the relief of four provinces. A map will be laid before you, in which the lines of railway already open, and those now in construction, decreed or conceded, are clearly indicated, and show that, within a short time, the country, in this respect, will be on a par with many of the most advanced. The railway from Cordoba to Tucuman is in construction; the works of leveling are in a forward state, and the first section will be opened to public traffic within two months from date. The railroad to Ensenada is almost finished; that to the port of Campana has been commenced, and five others are under offer of tenders.
interventions.
The putting to death of the governor of San Juan caused the dissolution of the party which supported him, and further disturbances rendered national intervention necessary.
That province has experienced four interventions, exacted by tragical or anomalous events, and the executive always meeting with a resistance which has impeded its good offices when it has not wished to appeal by force.
In the present case the commissioners appointed ordered a repetition of the elections, which were the pretended object of dispute, but, as only one of the contending parties came forward to vote, the government has refused to approve the result obtained at the second election.
telegraphs.
The line of telegraphs is completed, and extends throughout the republic. There are 4,000 miles of wire in operation.
Up to the present the cost exceeds the returns, as a low scale of prices has been adopted with a view of accustoming the public to take advantage of it, and this has not been fruitless.
The telegraph is a kind of correspondence, the transmission of which belongs to the nation. Almost all the European powers made the telegraph a branch of the public administration. England has expropriated those of private companies, and the United States are preparing to adopt the same course. The government, in view of these facts, have refused fresh petitions for concessions of the telegraphic lines in the provinces, fearful of being unable to redeem them for future purposes, and to avoid an excessive charge to the public.
immigration
Continues to augment, and the present year promises to show a considerable increase upon: any previous one, notwithstanding the attempt made in Europe to prevent it. Up to the 31st March last, 14,468 immigrants had arrived during the three months from 1st January. Commerce with Spain, Italy, and France augments in proportion to the number of immigrants that arrive from thence, as the latter produce an increased demand for the articles imported from those countries. The United States, for this reason, is the principal consuming country of English manufactures, and in the rest of America the commerce of Italy and Spain is very reduced in comparison with that of the river Plate.
I should not here pass over the semi-official publication in England of a virulent attack upon this country, undertaken by a functionary who endeavors to persuade his countrymen that the commercial statistics of this country are false, and that the position of English residents who have become wealthy in the exercise of their several professions and trades are, perhaps, the most unfortunate among them.
It is to be deplored that any attention is paid to such personal attempts of palming an unjust criticism as the result of a superior tact and ability on the part of the author, whose only merit consists in drawing an exaggerated caricature of imperfections, inseparable upon every reform, upon every improvement, and which, in England itself, would be altogether unavoidable. Important protests upon this subject have been made, and the gentlemen who represent the Argentine government in Europe have been instructed to enlighten public opinion upon every topic connected therewith.
[Page 42]finance.
The public income, calculated at 16,160,000, has produced 18,172,379 patacones. Compared with the previous year an increase is shown of 5,490,224 patacones.
The expenditure authorized by the five different ministerial departments amounted to the sum of 26,462,785.57-looths patacones, and 23,992,975.84-looths patacones have been paid, the difference between the income and the expenditure having been made up by credit operations. The ordinary calculation of the budget, 28,622,785.40-looths patacones, has given an excess of 4,778,449.88-looths patacones. Of the special laws authorizing the government to employ, in public works and law expenses, the sum of nineteen and a half millions, only the sum of two millions have been yet disposed of.
The total receipts and expenditures of the national treasury have amounted to 136,-179,181.42–looths, or a sum bordering upon 3,422,000,000 of the paper currency of this province.
International commerce has reached the cipher of 105,000,000 of patacones, (official valuation;) the maritime movement has been 3,718 sailing-vessels and 2,283 steamers, forming a combined tonnage of 2,151,640 tons.
The public credit of the nation both at home and abroad has been well maintained. The loan scrip in London is quoted at 97½, and public funds at home have reached 81 per cent.
For treasury bills the government has paid here 6 per cent. per annum, and at times, but very rarely, 7 per cent. per annum.
Under the general prosperous conditions of the country, the important monetary transactions of the Provincial Bank, and of those of the private banks, should not be passed over in silence. In foreign markets every enterprise proposed to be undertaken in the Argentine Republic is accepted by capitalists with enthusiasm.
The law for the establishment of a national bank is in course of execution, and should any difficulty present itself to bring the same into operation, it will arise from a surplus of the subscribed capital over the 20,000,000 designated for the purpose.
Whatever misunderstanding may arise on this matter will probably have to be submitted for consultation to your honorable body, but it is highly satisfactory in the mean time to observe the amount of confidence inspired by the national guarantee.
The loan for public works is gradually being realized upon the most favorable conditions, and according to the measures that prudence dictates; the quotation of that stock exceeds any hopes that could have been entertained in reference thereto, and the greatest proof of the high credit enjoyed by this republic in foreign markets, as also the confidence entertained as to the immovable political situation thereof.
administration of the army.
In this department, excepting the laborious revision of the list of men in service during the war with Paraguay, which revision is now on the point of being concluded, the whole of the service, provisions, clothing, armament, pay, etc., are on excellent footing and delivered in proper time in the encampment where the forces may then happen to be. The frontiers generally are well supplied with forage by the cultivation of the surrounding land, and reserve horses are at hand in large inclosures properly wired in.
As far as fire-arms are concerned, a fresh supply will speedily remedy every present defect in this particular.
military school.
This establishment is gradually becoming of the greatest possible utility, and a gradual improvement will be introduced in the military service, as required by the exigencies of modern warfare.
The able professors who direct it have done their duty, and the best European systems are adopted by them for instruction.
The complement of professors who direct the college referred to has been completed by the arrival of a captain of artillery of the Prussian school, engaged by government for the instruction of the cadete in the use of this class of arm.
marine.
The Nautical School has been installed as ordained by law, and the midshipmen now brave the ocean tempests in the steamer “Brown,” which serves them for putting into practice all they acquire by theory.
An expedition to explore the Rio Negro was ordered, for the purpose of ascertaining the correctness of the data already obtained and acquiring a further knowledge as to [Page 43] its extension and the circumstances under which its navigation might be effected. An exploration by land was to complete this object. Both were brought to the desired determination, and arrived back safely with all particulars, which will be found in a detailed account of the same already made public.
The time has now arrived for the building of arsenals for war-vessels to defend our coasts, and for the conveyance of the necessary elements which they demand; the carrying out of the law providing for the increase of the marine and acquisition of vessels with all modern improvements has been confided to able and experienced officers. The construction of iron vessels has now become an industry of the country, and the abundance and durability of the Chaco timber will speedily be made use of for naval purposes, so far, at all events, as the river-craft is concerned.
The Steamer “Governador Leguizamon” is now anchored in the port, which, from ten leagues below Oran, has descended the river Bermejo in seventy-two hours, without obstacles of any nature, the natural ones having been removed by the persons who undertook the enterprise. This trial promises to enlarge the sphere for immigration and furnish the interior with a new fluvial means of communication with other ports of the republic.
justice.—public worship.
In addition to filling the vacancies caused in the administration of justice by lamentable losses, the law abolishing imprisonment for debt has been brought into operation. The civil code is now in the hands of every one, the first edition having been entirely expended, and should your honorable body succeed during the present session in terminating the reforms under discussion in the commercial code, already dispatched by the committee appointed for its examination, together with the criminal code, a great step would be made towards the perfection of our whole judicial system.
In everything relating to worship, I can only state that, in addition to the assistance given for the erection of several churches, the illustrious Archbishop Aneiros, on account of the resignation of the Rev. F. Esquiox, exercises the duties devolving on the first dignitary of the church, his name having been presented to His Holiness the Pope for canonical confirmation.
war department.—increase of the army.
The enlistment of soldiers for the army has taken place in several of the provinces, and a few hundred men thus obtained have been duly equipped. As regards the veteran forces, many whose term had expired have re-entered the service for a fresh term, either from a love of their country or of a soldier’s duty.
Many difficulties lie in the way of carrying out the law of recruitment, which will opportunely be brought before you for remedy. It is not only necessary that laws should be liberal and just, but that they should also be practical and adequate to circumstances, and to the country for which they are intended.
The army now defending the republic is distinguished for its moral bearing, and worthy to serve as a plain example to those who will speedily enlist under the same banner.
frontiers.
The various topographical charts and circumstantial descriptions of different localities by engineers and practical persons furnish an exact description of the points upon the frontiers under defense and their respective distances from each other. The advantages of the system adopted have been confirmed by the best military authorities in the country, and by the fact that during the past year no important event has occurred to disturb the frontier settlers.
Partial treaties with the principal chieftains of the tribes, whereby their most urgent requirements are satisfied, lead to the hope that a state of peace will be the normal condition of the frontiers in the course of a very short time.
Many of the northern tribes have voluntarily become submissive, and at the latest truce held with the southern and western envoyees, the younger men in command have shown an inclination to abandon the wandering life of the desert. Civilized habits, which daily become more general among them, together with the difficulty and danger attached to plunder, will finally induce them to follow the example of Catriel, Coliqueo, and others who now enjoy the commodities of civilized life and the protection of government.
The savage tribes who inhabit the margin of the Bermejo, alarmed at first by the unlooked-for appearance of the exploring steamer, hostile subsequently and driven away, have now for some months past become docile, and not only accompany the explorers, but, aware of the advantages they will derive from commerce and civilization, have undertaken the canalization of the river referred to, working in gangs, which are regularly relieved and replaced.
[Page 44]quarantine.
Our proximity to tropical countries in which malignant and contagious fevers are endemical, imposes on us occasionally the disagreeable duty of establishing regulations prejudicial to commerce. The measures hitherto adopted by government in this respect have been successful.
But the alarm of any propagation of this dire disease is now so frequent that it becomes urgent to carry out the idea of establishing lazarettos at the entrance of the river Plate, as recommended by the medical profession. Negotiations with the Montevideo government have been entered into for this purpose.
Upon terminating the exposition of past events, it is now my duty to call the attention of Congress to the period upon which we are entering, that of a change in the administration.
Great excitement generally prevails on all such occasions, but it is to be hoped that no excesses will be the result, having on one occasion, at all events, obtained his boon.
The present administration, now about to deliver over its trust, has been unable to correct all the defects inherent to a young republic, nor can it, at its expiring moments, do anything of very grave prejudice to the institutions it is bound to protect.
The preservation of order and tranquillity is now the only task before it, and to this end it relies upon your decided support, as representatives of the Argentine people, who elect you in order that you may secure to them all that the interests and the honor of the country demand.
To other administrations will belong the glory of correcting the defects of the past, or forward the work now so far advanced. But it would be a melancholy task to wish to expose us just now to criticism and recrimination at a moment when it is more than ever necessary to seize firmly hold of the rudder of the state, to direct it against the impetus of the infuriated waves, and guard the barriers so that the combatants may not sally from the lists. Tyranny is not in the immediate past, but should it make its appearance, it will arise from disorders and from internal disputes, but never from the open exercise of the constituted power.
Thanking Providence for having conceded us a year bounteous in the increase of national prosperity, in the extension of education of the people, under the tranquil influence of peace, and shielded by the free institutions we may justly boast of, I declare, honorable senators and deputies, that the sessions of Congress are open.