ARGENTINA I0 6 7 



780). There were also recorded the largest number of patents solicited, 717, of which 

 637 were granted. In regard to trade-marks 2,324 were solicited and 2,107 were granted. 



Early in 1907 was published the report of the Boundary Commission with Brazil, 

 by which the dividing line was decided as follows : From the mouth of the Cuarein to 

 the mouth of the Pepiriguazu, from the mouth of the Pepiriguazu to the main head- 

 waters of the river San Antonio, and from this point following the bed of the San An- 

 tonio to its disembougement into the river Iguazu; from the mouth of the San Antonio 

 following the bed of the Iguazu to its disembougement into the Parana. 



On February 17, 1907, the President appointed a Commission to investigate and re- 

 vise existing tariff -rates, with the idea of rendering articles of prime necessity cheaper 

 for the consumer. Commerce continued to progress, the total amount for 1907 (includ- 

 ing exports $296,204,369, and imports $285,860,693) amounting to $582,065,052. 



In 1908 the national prosperity continued, the trade balance showing an advance of 

 J $ 1 00,000,000 (about 9,000,000) in exports over the imports, while immigration surpassed 

 all records. The agricultural area showed an increase of 216 per cent as compared 

 with 1895. An Arbitration Treaty was concluded with Brazil (Nov. 1908),' while 

 Argentine 'delegates were sent to attend the Refrigeration Congress in Paris. 



A commission was appointed in 1909 by the Minister of Agriculture and Public Works 

 to design a general system of irrigation throughout the Republic. An executive decree 

 (Nov. 10, 1909) established a National Bibliographic Institute at Buenos Aires, modelled 

 upon that at Brussels. In Buenos Aires considerable improvements were undertaken, 

 a special credit of ^7, 875,000 being voted for improving the sanitary system. A new 

 avenue, to cost ^SjOoo^oo to be called Avenida Centenario, in honour of the hundredth 

 anniversary of Independence was commenced. The new Carlos Durand Hospital, 

 300 patients, was opened, the cost being $550,000 (gold). 



On January 5, 1910, a protocol was signed in Montevideo between Argentina and 

 Uruguay, in regard to the navigation and use of the waters of the Rio de la Plata. In 

 September the Minister of Foreign Affairs, in a remarkable speech, referred to the fra- 

 ternity between Chile, Argentina and Brazil, observing: " We are the three strongest 

 nations; we must direct South America upon the path of peace and progress; other coun- 

 tries will see a powerful guarantee for liberty and justice in this triple friendship." 



This being the centennial year of the Republic, great rejoicings took place throughout 

 the state, and Argentina was the recipient of numerous congratulations and friendly 

 messages from most foreign governments. The continued prosperity of the country 

 was shown in the revenue increase, which amounted to 17 per cent over the budget antici- 

 pation, as compared with 8 per cent for 1909 and 6 per cent for 1908. The total volume 

 of trade showed an increase of 3^ per cent, the imports increasing by $49,000,000 while 

 exports decreased by $24,725,000. Among the several exhibitions held in. the capital 

 during the year were the International Agricultural, the National Industrial, the 

 International Fine Arts, the International Exhibition of Hygiene and the International 

 Railways and Transport. The Fourth Pan-American Conference, in addition to several 

 other conferences and congresses, was held in Buenos Aires. 



In October 1910 Dr. Alcorta's presidential term of office came to an end, when Doctor 

 Roque Saenz Pena and Dr. Victorino de la Plaza assumed the offices of President and 

 Vice-President respectively. The new Government met with a friendly welcome, and 

 the President's programme of legislation advocating economies was well received. 

 Towards the end of the year (Dec. i6th) Mr. (now Sir) Walter Beaupre Townley, 

 the British Minister, received notice of transfer to Bucharest, his designated successor 

 being Sir Reginald Thomas Tower, who had served as British Minister in Mexico since 

 1906. In the last days of the year the British fleet, under Vice-Admiral Arthur Murray 

 Farquhar, visited the River Plate, and met with a cordial reception, a number of enter- 

 tainments being both offered and returned in connexion with the event. The arrange- 

 ments in connexion with the demarcation of the Argentine-Chilean boundary pro- 

 gressed satisfactorily. The Andine tunnel, connecting the two Republics of Argentina 



1 Pesos. 



