The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-11-04
The NEW REPUBLIC.
Terms OF the Federation of Nicara-
qua, Honduras and Salvador.

qua, Honduras and Salvador.
WASHINGTON, Nov. "a complete
transformation Of the geography of Central
America occurred on Nov. 1, by the birth
of new republic, the United States of Gem
trail America, and the disappearance Of the
republics of Nicaragua, Salvador and Hon
duras, except as States of the new union.
Senior Corea, charge affaires of these re-
publics during their transition stage has re-
ceived detailed information of the changes
effected and the form of government of the
new republic. AS indicating the dignity and
Importance of the United States of Central
America, Mr.. Corea points out that it has
a population of about 100000 an area Of
about 10000 square miles, a great stretch
of seacoast ON the Atlantic and Pacific
and the site of the Nicaragua canal.
through which commerce will ultimately
pass from ocean to ocean.
The movement to form the new republic
began on June 20, 1895, when the three presi-
dents, Zelaya of Nicaragua, Gutierrez of
Salvador and Eonilla Of Honduras, formed
the treaty Of Amapala. This provided for
union on foreign affairs of the three coun-
tries and created a diet which directed these
foreign affairs. 1t did not amount to
tional union, however, and in the opinion
of The State Department here it was not a
government having the attributes of SOW
ereignty, but merely a confederation of
separate governments for the purpose OF
conducting their foreign affairs in common.
The Diet, therefore, recommended the for
Ration of General Assembly, with twenty
delegates from each of the three countries,
tosdraw up a complete constitutional union.
The assembly met on June 70, last, the an
niversary of the treaty of Amapala.
On Aug. q, last, a Constitution for the
new republic was finally drawn up and
signed with due formality. The general
character of the new government is shown
in a communication received by Senior
Corea from the secretary of the assembly.
1t states that the new order of things goes
into force on Nov. /. the name of the new
republic being the United States of Cen
trail America, formed of Nicaragua, Saliva
dor and Honduras. Provision is made for
the admission of Guatemala and Costa RIGA
IL they elect to enter the new union. A
federal form OF government is adopted, the
boundary lines of the states being continued
as heretofore, except as changed by each
ceding one department TO form federal
district, similar to the District of Columbia,
where the seat of federal government is To-
Gated. These coded districts surround the
Gulf of Fonsica, on the Pacific side, and
the capital is located temporarily at ANA
pala, on Tfgre island, lying in the Gulf Of
Fonsca- The capital will remain here until
the congress of the new republic selects a
permanent site for it.
The Constitution provides for a President,
elected for four years by the direct vote of
the people, with provision against immedi-
ate reelection. 1t is provided also that the
three Presidents-Zelaya, Gutierrez and
Bonilla-shall not be eligible at the first
election, thus removing ali possibility of in
huences favorable to one of the executives.
The President is made the commandments
chief of the army and navy, and his func-
tiOns are much in line as those OF the Presi-
dent Of the United States. The Inauguration
of the President is fixed for March Is next,
and in the meantime, from Nov. l. the ex-
ecutive power will be vested in council of
three. elected by the General Assembly,
these three being Matus, of Nicaragua, CAL
legos, of Salvador, and Ugart, of Honduras.
Sunday in December, and at the same time
representatives to the new House of Rep
resentatives will be elected.
The legislative power is given to a Con-
gress of two houses, the Senate being made
up OF six senator's from each STATE and
three from the federal district, while the
House of RepresentsaatdiOyoes has one repre-
makes Senate of twenty-one members and
a. House OF about seventy members The
Congress meets March next the indugura-
ton of the President following on the 18th.
The federal judiciary provided by the Con-
stitution is patterned after the system OF
the United States and indeed throughout
the Constitution there is a close resem-
blance to the systems in this country.
The governments of Nicaragua, Salvador
and Honduras become States, their present
Presidents giving way TO Governors. The
States retain control over affairs OF purely
local character and have legislatures and
direct local affairs, much as the States In
this country control their local affairs.
The Nicaraguan canal project will here
after be under the direction of the new re-
republic, as it is a national question. The
Constitution provides, however, that all OBJ
legations of the separate States entered into
prior to Nov. will be upheld, so that any
concessions made by Nicaragua prior to
that date will stand. From now on, how
ever. ii will be the United States of Central
America, instead of Nicaragua, which Will
have. entire control over the interoceanic
canal route.
Senior Corea regards the new form of gov
eminent as well suited TO strengthen and
develop the countries of Central America.
giving them mutually of interest, and
then joint force Of arms sufficient to keep
in allegiance the revolutionary spirit which
has found expression from time to time
while the republics were separated.