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 618

ARGENTINE

REPUBLIC

[history

of 1880, and lacked the strength and power of organization merely a politician, with no genuine statesmanlike qualities. necessary to raise any effective protest against the proceed- The new Government made no attempt to initiate a ings of Celman and his friends when the true character of strong policy of reform in administration of finance; it these proceedings was first understood. The conduct of became a Government of expedients, drifting helplessly on public affairs, however, at length became so scandalous a sea of financial troubles, and seeking merely to prevent that action on the part of the more sober-minded and more serious political disturbances. This unsatisfactory state of conservative sections was seen to be absolutely imperative affairs aroused the hostility of the Radical wing of the if the country was to be saved from speedy and certain Union Civica, and Dr Alem preached far and wide the ruin. In 1889, the association of the Union Civica doctrine of opposition to the Government and the necessity was founded, and the organization undertaken by Dr of reform in the methods of administering the country. Leandro Alem, Dr Aristobulo del Yalle, Dr Vicente Lopez, The more conservative section of the Union Civica refused Dr Lucio Lopez, and other leading citizens. Mass meet- to join in this opposition movement, and Dr Alem was ings were held in Buenos Ayres, and Dr del Valle, a most arrested and exiled. In 1892, Pellegrini’s term of office expired and a sucable orator, clearly explained the terrible danger threatening the Republic in consequence of the irresponsible and cessor had to be chosen. General Bartolome Mitre was corrupt character of the Administration. Subsidiary clubs proposed by'the Buenos Ayres faction as their candidate. affiliated to the central association were formed throughout He had been absent from Argentina on a journey to the length and breadth of the country, and millions of Europe, and it was on his return in April, 1891, when leaflets and pamphlets were distributed broadcast to a popular reception was given to him at which 50,000 explain the importance of the movement. President persons attended, that he had formally accepted the Celman underrated the strength of the new opposition and candidacy for the presidential office. His partisans found relied upon his armed forces promptly to suppress any themselves confronted by a compact provincial party who sign of open hostility. Ho change was made in official proposed to put forward General Roca, or, failing his methods, and the condition of affairs drifted from bad to acceptance, some other representative to oppose the Buenos worse until the temper of the people, so long and so sorely Ayres candidate. There was no doubt that if both sides tried, showed plainly that the situation had become in- persisted in the struggle on the lines indicated a civil war sufferable. The Union Civica then decided to make a must inevitably result. General Mitre disapproved of any bold bid for freedom by attempting forcibly to eject measures likely to involve bloodshed and sought to effect a compromise. A meeting between him and General Celman and his clique from office. On the night of the 26th of July, 1890, the Union Roca resulted in an acuerdo, by which the two generals Civica called its members to arms. It was joined by agreed to support a neutral candidate having no direct some regiments of the regular army, and received the connexion with either of the political parties. The final support of the fleet. Barricades were thrown up in the selection for the candidacy fell upon Dr Saenz Pena, a Judge principal streets, and the surrounding houses were occupied of the Supreme Court, and a man universally respected, who by the insurgents. Two days of desultory street fighting had never taken part in political life. In May, 1892, the ensued, during which the fleet began to bombard the city, presidential elections were held; Dr Saenz Pena was but was compelled to desist by the interference of foreign declared duly elected, and Senor Uriburu, then Argentine men-of-war, on the ground that the bombardment was Minister in Chile, was chosen as Vice-President. The idea of President Saenz Pena was to conduct the causing unnecessary damage to the life and property of non-combatants. A suspension of hostilities then took government on common-sense and business-like lines. place and negotiations were opened between the contending He had no political training, no political party in Congress parties. Celman, acting under the advice of General to support him; he was simply a straightforward, honourRoca, who recognized the strength of public opinion in the able man trying to do his duty in a position which had been outbreak and foresaw a more powerful movement looming forced upon him, and was in no sense of the word of his in the distance, placed his resignation in the hands of own seeking. No sooner was he installed in office than congress on the 31st of July. A scene of immense enthusi- difficulties began to crop up on all sides, and he quickly asm followed, and Buenos Ayres was en fete for the discovered that no help could be expected from the two following three days. Vice-President Carlos Pellegrini political factions which had brought him into power to suit succeeded to the office vacated by Juarez Celman and to their own convenience. To govern without a majority in the administrative confusion resulting from the iniquitous Congress was a practical impossibility, and before twelve methods of conducting public affairs during the previous months of the presidential term had run public affairs had drifted to a deadlock. This was the opportunity of Dr four years. Great expectations were formed of the ability of Alem, the Radical leader of the Union Civica, and he President Pellegrini to establish a sound Administration was not slow to profit by the occasion. Embittered by and to introduce a system of government ensuring the his treatment in 1892, he openly preached the advisapeace and progress of the Republic. General Roca bility of an armed rising and the overthrow of the existing tendered his services for the duties of Minister of the Administration. The unscrupulous acts of corruption on Interior, and his influence in the provinces was of very the part of Dr Julio Costa, then Governor of the province great assistance to the national authorities. Dr Vicente of Buenos Ayres, strengthened the movement. A number Lopez undertook the post of Minister of Finance, an onerous of officers of the naval and military forces agreed to lend task in view of the financial complications resulting from assistance to the revolutionary outbreak, and towards tho the previous reckless extravagance. In short, all the most end of July, 1893, matters came to a head. The popularespectable elements in the country showed willingness to tion of the province of Buenos Ayres assembled in armed co-operate in the restoration of a normal condition of bodies with the avowed intention of turning the Governor affairs and the establishment of political order, but the out of office and electing in his stead a man who would result did not come up to public expectation. Pellegrini give them a just Administration. At the commencement proved a failure. Of great natural intelligence, and with of the movement, Governor Costa imagined himself strong the advantages of a sound education at Harrow, combined enough to hold his own with the aid of his police with much charm of manner and widespread personal and several battalions of provincial troops quartered popularity, he showed himself during his term of office at La Plata; but as the insurrection spread he