For the fulfilment of this purpose, it has been necessary to closely condense the facts and figures relating to the growth of the Argentine Republic, to its Constitution, laws, commerce, the high standard of its culture and the protection afforded, without distinction, to all residents within its territories, by the national charter of its freedom and by the advanced nature of its legislation. The character and scope of the Argentine exhibits at the Panama-Pacific Exposition eloquently testify to the importance of the Republic as a field for an interchange of commerce with the United States, and, it is hoped, that the statements and suggestions contained in this volume will add impetus to the obviously growing desire to strengthen the commercial and friendly objects which animates the people of both countries. THE ARGENTINE COMMISSION. San Francisco, 1915. THE ARGENTINE REPUBLIC SOME OF ITS PHYSICAL FEATURES The evolution of the Argentine Republic of to-day from the position of an obscure Spanish dependency laboring under the disabilities of colonial government, into one of the great countries of the world whose watchwords are "progress" and "freedom," may be said to date from May 25, 1810, when the people of Buenos Aires declared their independence and established the United Provinces of the River Plate. From that date forward, until May 25, 1853, when the Federal Constitution of the Argentine Republic was proclaimed at Santa Fe and even to a later period, the history of that country bears many points of resemblance to the early history of the United States. Just as the United States had to subdue savage Indians, to enter into war and to offer great sacrifices to develop the resources of vast uninhabited territories in order to establish the principles of liberty and justice, the Argentine Republic has successfully conquered the same difficulties and, to-day, is inviting the rest of the world to add to its developments and to share its wealth. In the disposition of its territories, in its form of government and in its constitution and laws, the Argentine Republic has modelled its policy upon that of the United States.