was accompanied by a description of the person wanted, but there was no information in the note or its inclosure concerning the place to which the fugitive had probably fled; and, indeed, nothing to show that he had fled to this country at all. Moreover, the department at that time informed Mr. Portela that fraudulent bankruptcy was not among the crimes enumerated in the treaty of extradition between the United States and the Argentine Republic, so that the fugitive could not be extradited for this offense even if his whereabout had become known. It was manifestly impracticable, therefore, under these circumstances, to have brought to the attention of the police authorities of the United States the facts set forth by Mr. Portela.

Concerning the location and arrest by this Government of criminals fugitive from other States, and within its jurisdiction, it should be said that in cases where a crime for which extradition can be obtained has been committed, and the approximate location of the fugitive is furnished, the local police authorities are usually pleased, upon appropriate request, to cooperate and render whatever assistance they can to secure the apprehension of the fugitive, and, so far as the department is aware, this voluntary action of the local officials is generally sufficient to accomplish the object desired.

Therefore, if in cases of extradition from the United States to the Argentine Republic, under our treaty of extradition with that country, information be furnished either to this department or to the local authorities concerning the criminal's supposed place of refuge, it is probable that these authorities will fully extend all the assistance that is necessary to effect the arrest of the persons desired.

In view of the foregoing the department is inclined to feel that the difficulties suggested by the Argentine Government are more apparent than real.

Mr. SECRETARY OF STATE: Under date of August 28, I had the honor to address to your excellency a note by which I asked that you be so good as to direct certain action to be taken by the police with the view of ascertaining the whereabouts of Oreste Rosen indicted by the Argentine justice for fraudulent bankruptcy and supposed to have taken refuge in this country. Your excellency deigned to say in reply to that request, on October 15, that the offense with which Rosen was charged not being among those specified in the extradition treaty in force between the United States and the Argentine Republic, private detective agencies should be applied to to obtain this kind of information.

This reply from your excellency's Government was in due course transmitted by me to my Government which instructs me to express the surprise it has caused, inasmuch as the Argentine authorities have always entertained and acted on similar requests of the legation

of the United States at Buenos Aires, on the assumption that they would stand on reciprocity in full accord with international usage. Having thus complied with my Government's instructions, I have pleasure in renewing, etc.,

File No. 8682/4.

EPIFANIO PORTELA.

The Acting Secretary of State to the Argentine Minister. No. 57]

DEPARTMENT OF STATE,

Washington, April 21, 1908. SIR: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your note of the 28th ultimo replying the department's note of October 15, 1907, by which you were advised that Oreste Rosen, who is charged with fraudulent bankruptcy in the Argentine Republic, could not be lawfully held for extradition in case he should be apprehended in the United States, as his offense is not an extraditable one under the treaty of extradition in force between the United States and the Argentine Republic.

Your statement is noted, that your Government instructs you to express its surprise at the department's statement that private detectives should be employed to discover the whereabouts of lawbreakers in cases of this kind, and that the Argentine authorities, having always acted favorably on similar requests of the American legation at Buenos Aires, had expected reciprocal action, in accordance with international usage.

In reply I have the honor to say that on February 29 this department forwarded to the American legation at Buenos Aires, for transmission to your Government, a discussion and explanation of the matters referred to in your note. The substance of that dispatch is inclosed herewith. It would appear that this dispatch crossed the dispatch from your own Government in transit.

The department greatly regrets that it is not able under the system of jurisprudence in the United States to afford the Argentine Republic the reciprocal assistance in matters of apprehension of fugitives from justice which that Government so courteously extends to the United States; but it is believed that the method outlined in the department's dispatch mentioned above, as to the manner in which. foreign governments, attempting to locate criminals fugitive in this country, can secure the assistance in such work of local American officials, will prove effective and satisfactory.

Accept, etc.,

ROBERT BACON.

MESSAGE OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE ARGENTINE REPUBLIC TO THE ARGENTINE CONGRESS.

File No. 4519/29-31.

Chargé Wilson to the Secretary of State.

No. 743.]

AMERICAN LEGATION, Buenos Aires, May 12, 1908.

SIR: I have the honor to report that on the 11th instant the Fortyseventh National Congress was opened by the President of the Republic with the usual ceremonies.

To the joint assembly of both Houses of Congress, and in the presence of the Argentine ministers, the diplomatic corps, and other high officials the President personally read his message.

The President's message, copies of which are inclosed herewith, as well as a synopsis in English, is a lengthy document of 105 pages. It begins by a defense of his decree of January 25 (for closing Congress and keeping in force the budget of 1907, and of his intervention in the Provines of Corrientes and Santiago del Estero).

As regards the decree the President describes it as a measure of an administrative character made necessary in order to provide for the public expenditure, but not an invasion of "the sphere of legal action of the legislative power." He asserts also that the unavoidable consequences and ulterior proceedings of the decree were determined by serious circumstances and elevated and honorable motives absolutely foreign to the inconceivable design of violating parliamentary privileges.

The part of the message dealing with the department of the interior states that the relations between the nation and the Provinces "have continued in the most frenk harmony and solidarity," and then goes on to speak of the revolutions which have occurred in the Provinces of San Luis, Corrientes, and Santiago del Estero, and makes a defense for national intervention which was decreed in the first of those two Provinces.

The labor question is refererd to at some length as being one of the most important matters of the present day, and legislation is urged in various directions.

The police and sanitary conditions of the country are referred to as satisfactory, as is also the increased use of the postal and telegraph services during 1907.

Speaking of foreign relations the message says:

We strive to cultivate the most friendly relations with all States and constantly are receiving from them marks of good will and esteem. Holland has raised its representative with us to its highest rank, and several Governments of Europe and Asia have made changes among the diplomats accredited to this Republic, and as the newcomers are highly distinguished men, our cordial relations with these countries are of the best.

Reference is made to the fact that Buenos Aires has been chosen as the place for the meeting of the fourth Pan American Conference and it is stated that

It was due to the United States Government, acting on behalf of the other States, that our city was finally designated for the honor. For this the Argentine minister in Washington was directed to express his thanks to the American Government.

The President then refers to a treaty with the United States relating to the naturalization of citizens of the two countries and the civil and political status of these which is under discussion, having been agreed to in the main.

Special reference is then made to relations with the various South American countries whose boundaries touch those of the Republic. With Brazil efforts are being made to improve commercial relations, and both Governments are agreed that mutual allowances and sacrifices must be made in order to come to an understanding.

Treaties of various kinds with Chile are under consideration, and the relations between the two countries are probably more cordial than ever before.

With Paraguay also relations are most friendly.

In regard to Uruguay the message states that notwithstanding the fishing limit industry affairs and the Constitución incident, the relations between the two Governments are very cordial.

The President states with satisfaction the fact that notwithstanding the number of foreign residents in the country there is not a single instance pending in which diplomatic intervention has been considered necessary.

Financially the present condition of the country is highly satisfactory, and it is this section of the message which will be read with the greatest interest abroad. With a revenue that totals $25,500,000 over and above its estimated return, and that revenue 6 per cent better than the figures for the preceding year, the situation is certainly most encouraging. Moreover, on striking the balance of ordinary and extraordinary funds available for service, there remains a surplus of $7,500,000 paper which will be used in amortizing outstanding debts. Attention is called to the high standard of credit which Argentine enjoys abroad, and reference is made to the importance of maintaining such a standard at all costs. The President lets it be distinctly understood that no project having for its aim the disturbance of existing currency legislation will receive his support.

Touching the administration of justice, the message foreshadows a possibility of reform in certain directions, such as better prisons and better paid judges in order to raise the standard of the judiciary of the country.

In regard to education the President recognizes that there is great chance for improvement, especially in primary education.

Little is said in regard to the department of war, but the condition of the army is stated to be satisfactory. Certain improvements have been made in the artillery and new barracks are being constructed.

The minister of marine announces that the Government will abandon the bill presented to Congress at its last session relating to the purchase of the battleships and will present another authorizing the acquisition of "destroyers" and other "indispensable elements" for the squadron, even if only to fulfill the reduced functions it might have to perform with respect to other naval forces of South America, until modern warships are incorporated in our Navy.

The message refers to agriculture as the chief source of wealth of the country and gives various very satisfactory statistics for the year 1907.

In the section dealing with public works especial attention is called to the need of deepening the port of Buenos Aires, the continuation of irrigation works, and the completion of certain railway lines. At the same time it is declared that financial caution must not be neglected. Recourse to borrowed capital is condemned while there is a possibility of completing such works as may be of the first necessity out of the national resources. CHARLES S. WILSON.

I am, etc.,

[Inclosure-Extract.]

We strive to cultivate the most friendly relations with all States, and constantly are receiving from these marks of good will and esteem.

Holland has raised its representative with us to highest rank, and several Governments of Europe and Asia have made changes amongst the diplomats accredited to this Republic, and as the newcomers are highly distinguished men, our cordial relations with these countries are of the best.

The Sovereigns of Germany, Spain, and Portugal, the Presidents of the United States and France have shown marked attentions to our training ship Presidente Sarmiento, whose officers have fully acknowledged the honors. The hearty welcome accorded our flag in those foreign waters we take as another mark of cordiality on the part of the nations mentioned. The diplomatic representatives of the various American States, assembled in the city of Washington resolved forthwith to designate the city where the fourth Pan American conference should meet. The representatives of the American States voted that the Congress should be held in Buenos Aires. It was due to the United States Government, acting on behalf of the other States, that our city was finally designated for the honor. Your Government duly requested its minister in the States to thank that Government, and following this our minister gave a banquet in honor of the American Secretary of State, the representatives of the various American powers, and other high Government officials.

The United States have named a commission of nine representative gentlemen, who, with an Argentine commission, also composed of nine members, will undertake the preliminary preparations for the conference which is to inaugurate its meetings in our city on the 25th of May, 1910. I have already designated those who will compose our commission, and in which Congress is represented by distinguished members of both chambers. A treaty with the States relating to the naturalization of citizens of the two countries and the civil and political status of these is under discussion, having been agreed to in the main. In due course the terms of the treaty will be placed before you for consideration. Our relations with American States have claimed my preferential attention, particularly those most in touch with the Argentine Republic. With pleasure I inform you that these relations have been drawn closer during the past year, and I have met with every good wish from the several countries calculated to strengthen the bonds of friendship.

We are complying with the terms of the treaty made with Bolivia last year, and a railway is in construction which will join our northernmost town with Bolivian railways, thus greatly benefiting commercial intercourse between the two countries.

You will be asked in the coming session to vote the necessary funds for continuing these railway works, and the sums voted will be expended gradually. As our Northern Railway has now reached the frontier it is time to put the postal convention into practice, for it is obvious that Bolivian commerce already prefers the Rosario-Quiaca route for its dealings with the exterior.

The Argentine minister appointed to the Brazilian Republic in 1907 has been deferentially received by that Government and is engaged in improving the existing commercial relations. Both Governments are agreed that each country must make certain mutual allowances and sacrifices.

A contract has been signed at Rio de Janeiro ad referendum for the acquisition of a palace in the Beiramar Avenue in that city, and which was at one time the property of Baron de Cotegipe. In due course I shall present a message and the project of law authorizing the purchase thus providing our representative there with a residence in keeping with the importance of that State. This will mean transfering the legation from Petropolis to the center of the Brazilian capital. where our minister will be in closer touch with that Government and the rest of the diplomatic corps.

Treaties of various kinds are under study with our neighbor, Chile. Each country has named a special commission to study the other's commerce and industries.

The people of both Republics have noted those rapprochements with visible pleasure, and our relations with Chile are perhaps stronger to-day than they ever have been before.

From Paraguay also we are constantly receiving attentions which amply testify to that country's professed friendliness toward our State. A special commission, composed of high dignitaries of the Republic, will shortly visit us