Argentina 135 



mountains rivaling those of Switzerland in their massive 

 uplift and beauty. Much of the time at this dinner 

 was taken up in discussing the wonders of this region. 

 The Minister of Public Works explained that the new 

 railroad running from Port Antonio westward to the 

 lake has already been completed for more than half of 

 its length, and turning to Dr. Willis he said: "The 

 remainder of the road I look to you, my dear Doctor, 

 to see completed by the spring of 1914. The money to 

 build the remaining miles is in the treasury.' When 

 this railway is completed it will open up a region as large 

 as the State of Massachusetts ; a country full of streams 

 fed from the snow-clad mountains, having numerous 

 waterfalls capable of driving as many spindles as are 

 now driven by the Connecticut and the Merrimac. 

 Into this region, Serior Mejia explained, it is the desire 

 of the government to bring hardy and thrifty people 

 capable of enduring the cold of winter. These people 

 will become the pioneers in the development of a great 

 state from the standpoint of the agriculturist and the 

 manufacturer. Those whom we wish to interest," 

 said Dr. Mejia, 'are your thrifty Yankees of New 

 England and the industrious and hardy people of 

 Sweden, Norway, and Switzerland. For such people 

 we shall be able to hold out the inducement of farms 

 at comparatively small cost, and opportunities for en- 

 gaging in a multitude of industrial pursuits, for which 

 unlimited electrical power derived from the waterfalls 

 will open the way. ' 



The republic of Argentina is advancing by leaps and 

 bounds. Statements published as to population, re- 

 sources, railroad mileage, and the production of various 

 crops made only a year or two ago, are antiquated to- 

 day. The people have tacitly concluded that revolu- 



