In legislation there have been many notable advances during the past twenty years and, in some cases, examples worthy of being followed by older communities. Amongst the most important legislative measures, those dealing with immigration, colonization, electoral reform, land settlement, education, labor, animal and sanitary laws, may be singled out for special mention. The immigration laws have been framed, since their inception, with a view to inviting foreigners to share in the development and enjoyment of the national wealth. No restrictions are imposed upon the entry of immigrants other than those which have for their object the exclusion of the criminal classes or persons who are physically or mentally unsound. Not only can the immigrant acquire rich government land on conditions unequalled in other new countries, but provision is also made for the supply of the necessary funds to furnish the colonist with implements and other equipment to enable him to reap an ample reward for his labors. The naturalization laws impose no difficulties in the acquisition of citizenship, although there is absolute freedom on the part of the alien resident to hold land and property and to enjoy all the privileges conferred upon inborn citizens, except that of voting at Congressional or Presidential elections. Even certain public positions may be held by foreigners without naturalization. In electoral matters, the law recently passed to enforce compulsory voting at elections has already produced excellent results and has succeeded in removing attempts at coercion and the exercise of undue influence in the return of candidates for elective offices; and most of these legislative reforms have been effected during the past twenty years.
Although not precisely within the period under review, the enactment of the Conversion Law of 1891 has had such far-reaching effects upon the financial situation and general stability of the Republic that it should not be omitted from a record of national legislation dating from even four years later. Prior to the passage of that law, violent fluctuations in the premium of gold, induced by speculation, led to so much disturbance of commerce as to render it necessary to place the national currency on a more substantial basis. With that object in view an average was taken and the value of paper currency was fixed by the law at 44 per cent of the value of gold, in other words, making $227.27, currency, equal to $100 gold. The law further provided for the establishment of a Conversion Fund, which was to be formed by the appropriation of certain sources of revenue and to be added to by annual increments until it reached a total of $30,000,000 gold, which with the gold reserves then existing and to be accumulated were to be employed exclusively for the public exchange of gold and paper at the rate fixed. As shown in the figures relating to gold reserves, the accumulation of gold held in the Caja de Conversion for the purposes of the law, at December 31, 1913, amounted to $233,197,727, representing upwards to 60 per cent of the entire national currency in circulation, a proportion not exceeded by any other country of the world; and with the resumption of exports upon a normal scale, which will constantly bring more gold to the Republic, the relation of gold reserves to currency issues will, in a comparatively short time, be such as to justify the creation of a definite and exclusive gold standard as the monetary system of the Republic.
The Argentine Republic has achieved many triumphs in diplomacy and many legitimately claim to have made new international law for all the countries of the American continent. One of the most important steps yet taken in this direction was the formulation, in 1902, of the now universally accepted doctrine establishing the principle that contractual debts by Sovereign States to foreign private subjects, or citizens, should not be collected by the employment of armed forces. This doctrine was propounded by the then Argentine Minister of Foreign Affairs in a Note addressed to the United States Government as the result of the occupation, at that time, of the territorial waters of an independent state by the warships of some of the European Powers, for the avowed purpose of compelling payment to their subject of claims for damages and for the fulfilment of the service of a national debt due to foreign creditors and then in default. This Note aroused world-wide attention and the subject was dealt with diplomatically by many of the countries of Europe which had commercial relations with the Latin-American Republics. It formed the subject of frequent discussion at various Pan-American Congresses, and was particularly favored in the United States, where, subject to certain slight modifications, it was regarded as a logical pendant to the Monroe Doctrine. At the Second International Peace Conference at the Hague, in 1907, the Doctrine was submitted for the approval of the Conference by the American Delegation with slight modifications and was accepted, without dissent, by the Delegates of all the countries represented. It is not necessary here to enter into a discussion of the merits or importance of this Argentine doctrine. Suffice it to add, however, that the negation of its main purpose would be to endanger the existence of the Monroe Doctrine by shattering the principal object with which that policy was conceived and established.
Another great international movement in which the Argentine Republic assumed a leading part and which is likely to have far-reaching effects in advancing the friendly relations of the United States with the sister American Republics, was the recent mediation of the "A. B. C." Powers (Argentine, Brazil and Chile). The events of that particular time are too fresh in the memory of the American public to need description of detail. It is sufficient to say that the mediation referred to averted a war which would probably have involved the sacrifice of countless lives and of countless millions. But the initiation of the policy of mediation entered into on that occasion has even more importance than that which attaches to it as having prevented a great and unnecessary war. It has served, firstly, to show that the great advance made by the leading South American Republics is not merely an advance made for selfish purposes, but for the benefit of the whole of the Latin nations of the American continent. The great statesmen of those countries, whilst recognizing the occasionally intemperate political acts which take place in some of the lesser Republics, have placed a cloak of protection around the weaker sisters of their countries to prevent attacks upon their national independence and sovereignty. By their offer of mediation in the critical situation which had then arisen on this continent, they also gave birth to a policy which, independently of its humane aspect, is calculated to secure the real objects of legitimate Pan-Americanism. The United States has invariably exhibited a spirit of justice and of generosity in all its relations with the other American Republics, and the "A. B. C." mediation has not only strengthened this wise policy on the part of the United States, but has demonstrated the capacity and the influence, without actual intervention, of the most important Latin Republics to save the less advanced countries from a sacrifice of their national independence.
Still another step of diplomatic importance has recently been taken by the Argentine Ambassador at Washington by a submission of a lengthy resolution to the governing body of the Pan-American Union (consisting of the Secretary of State of the United States and the Ambassadors and Ministers of the other twenty American Republics) with a view to providing means for the restriction of hostilities by belligerents in neutral waters. This course was adopted in consequence of the hardships and difficulties imposed on the South American Republics and on other neutral countries through the present war in Europe and through the prevailing indefinite character of the international rules and of international law in the definition of the respective rights of neutrals and belligerents. Whilst it would be difficult to assume that any reforms will be effected during the continuance of the present war in Europe or immediately thereafter, it is reasonable to suppose that the substantive portions of the Argentine Ambassador's resolution will influence succeeding international Conferences to so regulate these vital matters as to confine naval operations within limits which, in future wars, will not place so heavy a burden upon the coastal and oversea trade of neutral countries.
In its relations with the different countries of the world the Republic enjoys the most friendly intercourse and shares the privileges accorded to the great Powers in international commercial treaties. It has never failed to fulfil its national obligations either at home or abroad; it has no ambitions for territorial expansion and desires only to maintain internal and external peace in order to extend the country's material prosperity and the welfare of its inhabitants.
PRIMARY EDUCATION