The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-11-04
SMALL REPUBLIC.
Queer Little Domain in the Apen-
mines Which Has Always Been

From the Scientific American.
Few visitors to Italy ever make the ex-
cursion from Rmini to San Marine, the
smallest independent republic in Europe, a.
though 1t is one of the most curious places
In Italy, If not in Europe for it has main
tadned itself g. republic ever since the
earliest times of Christianity. San Marine,
which has an area Of thirty-three square
miles, lies between the provinces Of Forli and
Pesaro-Urbino, and Is thus entirely surround
ed by italian domains. 1t is situated on part
Of the eastern spurs of the Apennines Monte
Titano the central and eliminating summit
has three peaks, each surmounted by cas-
tie. The coat Of arms of the republic is
three feathers, which seem to have been
suggested by these rocky SUBMITS with their
fortresses. The city of San Marine has !, 500
inhabitants out of the 5000 Of the republic.
1t is one Of the most picturesque places in
the world, being perched on perpendicu' ar
cliffs, and when we look at them we can
understand that the extraordinary mountains
and rocks introduced into the backgrounds Of
the paintings of Perugino, Raphael and other
Umbrian painters were not nightmares, but
were really taken from nature. Borgo ID
San Marine, at the foot Of the cliffs, is the
commercial center Of the republic, and here
we first find the money coined by It. A
steep path leads up to the picturesque citta
to which we have already referred. From
the castle there is a magnificent view of the
Adriattc, and even on a clear day the coast
of Dalmatia may be seen. 1t Is said that
when the mail arrives at Borgo a bell is
sounded, and those who live the cliffs
have to descend to get their mail If they wish
1t, for, owing to the primitive state Of affairs,
the postman never ascends the rock.
1t may well be asked how it is that such
an anomaly as the microscopic republic is al
lowed to exist in the heart Of monarchy. The
history of San Marine is an interesting one.
The first authentic document dates from 1856.
The inhabitants purchased territory from
neighboring princes and the commonwealth
assisted Pope Plus II. (Aeneas Sylvius)
against the Malatestas of Rimini, and as
reward received three little castles On the
annexation of Urbino to the states of the
church, in 1851, the independence of San
Marine was acknowledged. In 1877 Napo-
leon decided to preserve the small republic,
and in 1854 Napoleon III. saved 1t from the
designs OF Plus TX. When Italy became uni
fed San Marine obtained excellent terms.
1t is governed by a great council of sixty
twenty rural land owners, named for life by
the council itself From this body is elected
the council of twelve, which, with legal adj
WISER decides all questions. Two captains re-
gent, elected every six months, represent the
state which has also its home secretary, its
minister of foreign affairs, its chancellor of
the exchequer, It's army of $50 men, and q
regular budget BY treaty with Italy San
Marine receives a certain proportion OF the
Italian customs revenue, but exacts no Gus
toms on her borders. She also agrees not to
grow tobacco but is allowed to import to-
bacco duty free.
In order to avoid copyright difficulties there
is no printing press in San Marine. 1t is a
curious fact that the commissary, or judge,
and the physician must both be strangers,
and they are paid out of the public purse.
Such are few of the curious facts connected
with the smallest independent republic In
Europe, or the world, for that matter.