tion of the variety of people entering the country, the arrivals for three typical months are herewith given:

IMMIGRATION INTO ARGENTINA FOR FEBRUARY, 1922

It will be observed that the net gain to the country for the first month specified was not great, but that many races

were represented in the new-comers. The other months show fewer national groups but greater numbers arriving. Figures for the net gain are not available. It will be noted that official listing is not in alphabetical order.

CHIEF INDUSTRIES

The chief industries of Argentina are agricultural and pastoral. It is therefore to the country's interest to secure settlers who are able and willing to work. Not a quarter of the great plain suitable for cultivated crops is at present under cultivation, and there are vast unused pasturage areas. In order to induce desirable settlers to come, a plan for Federal Colonies similar to that established in Brazil has been introduced. The objections that have been urged against foreign sections in industrial cities in the United States do not seem to have weight with the South American Republics in the organization of their rural colonies. The deadening loneliness of life in remote country districts can be best relieved by placing together people having the same language, traditions, and customs. With wise regulations and oversight such settlements should not remain alien and menacing.

HOMESTEAD LAW

The basis of the colony plan is the New Argentine Homestead Law, enacted September 28, 1917, the terms of which are herewith given:

5

Article I. These endowments are made as a Government assistance and grant to the Argentine family.

All laws in opposition to the provisions of this law are repealed.

Art. II. The homesteads are the property of the families and shall not be attached, sold, nor assigned except to another family and with the permission of the Executive Power. The grant lapses through lack of occupation or abandonment of the homestead, and this shall be then disposable and can be

'From translations furnished by the Pan-American Union.

applied for by another settler, if the area of the one applied for when added to that of the settler does not exceed the maximum fixed by this law. The profits and products of each year shall be attached and sold only up to a half thereof for paying debts contracted, in accordance with the preferments established by the Civil Code.

Art. III. Every Argentine citizen who is a father of a family, or every foreigner in the same condition who may pledge himself to become a citizen within a space of time that the regulations of this law shall determine, and every single woman or widow, more than 22 years of age, shall have the right to apply for vacant state lands, conditionally upon proof of good antecedents, to the extent of from 20 to 200 hectares, provided that they are not owners of other grants at the time of their petition and their settlement. In case of the death of the father of the family, this latter shall continue in possession of all of his rights. In arriving at age, the married children, as well as every other citizen, can apply for a new homestead in fiscal territories of that or another district. Failure to comply with the promise of becoming naturalized shall effect forfeiture of the homestead.

Art. IV. So long as there are in the family minors or single women, they shall have the right to the homestead. When all arrive at full age, the homestead shall be divided conformable to the common law.

Art. V. In each colony there shall be left a space which the Executive Power considers suitable for a town, and another for forming with the income therefrom a permanent and special fund for the school authority.

Art. VI. No public documents in writing shall be necessary for these Government grants to the family that occupies and stocks its homestead, the official ticket and the plan which accompanies it being sufficient, which the officials shall deliver as soon as the favored party is established in his dwelling on the homestead, both documents having to be registered without tax in the proper public offices.

Art. VII. The Executive Power in enforcing this law shall establish the conditions of farming in each region.

Art. VIII. Each colony shall be provided with a school and with all the necessary public services.

Art. IX. The lots, before being offered, shall be measured and delimited, the geographical location and the detail of the place being established in such form as may be considered convenient.

ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS FOR COLONISTS

Over and above the homesteads which may be taken up by settlers, the Government has made provision for further colonies, as may be seen from the following communication" sent out by the Argentine General Land Office of the Department of Agriculture, in August, 1922.

"According to data furnished by the commissions which made the agronomic report on the different lands of the National Territory, the Land Office submitted to the Executive Power a bill concerning the establishment of a number of agricultural and rural or pastoral colonies.

"This bill, having been approved by the Executive Power in accordance with a decree of July 11, 1921, the survey and subdivision of the colonies will be made in due time, and the size of the allotments will be fixed according to the capacity of the production of the soil.

"After the survey is completed the prices for purchase or lease will be determined in each case, the conditions as to population, which must be complied with by the concessionaires of each colony, will be prescribed, and the maximum area that may be granted to any one person or society, as well as other provisions required by existing laws, will be set forth."

Legislation in regard to immigration in the Argentine Republic dates back to 1876. This law provides for funds to encourage immigration from the United States and Europe, and to care for immigrants temporarily after their arrival. It also provides for a central Bureau of Immigration and • Translation.

Commissions at each state capital and elsewhere if needed. The function of the commissions is to assist immigrants in all possible ways to make their adjustments. This law defines as immigrants:

IMMIGRANTS DEFINED

"Foreigners of both sexes of good moral character and under the age of sixty years, whether day laborers, or capable of exercising a trade, or of working in an industrial establishment, farmers or teachers who come to the Republic for the purpose of settling on its soil." Such persons are the recipients of favors, with their consequent obligations, from the Government, all of which may be waived upon arrival by those not wishing to be classed as immigrants, but preferring to carve out their careers independently.

While the law of 1876 formed the basis of immigration legislation in Argentina, the law of 1916, together with later decrees, is the one now operative.

IMMIGRATION LAW

The Argentine Immigration Law signed on October 3, 1916, provided that the regulations contained in it should take effect in four months, that is, February, 1917.

Under the new law, the following are not allowed to enter Argentina:

(a) Persons having an organic defect which makes them. unfit for work; i.e., blind persons, deaf and dumb, paralytic, those having the right arm or both arms or both legs useless, or any other ailment or defect which may lessen their capacity for work;

(b) Demented persons, i.e., idiots, imbeciles, epileptics, and those affected by any form of lunacy;

(c) Beggars, i.e., those who have been professional beggars in the country of origin; single women with children less than 10 years of age; gypsies, and any other persons of whom it may be presumed that they may become public charges.

'La Prensa, Buenos Aires, November 6, 1916.