The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-11-03
BY DIRECT VOTE.
Republic of Central America
Will Elect President.
He Will Be Ineligible to I'M
mediate REELECTION.
MODELLED AFTER OURS
United States Form of Govern
ment Followed Closely.
Way Left Open For Guatemala
and Costa Rica.


Transformation of the geography of
Central America occurred on November
1, by the birth of a new republic, the
United States of Central America and
the disappearance of the republics
Nicaragua, Salvador and Honduras, ex-
cept as states of the new union. Senor
Correa, charge d'affaires of these repub-
lies during their transition stage, has
received detailed information Of the
changes effected and the form ofgovern-
ment of the new republic. AS indicat-
ing the dignity and Importance of the
United States of Central America Mr..
Correa points out that it has popuIa-
ton 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 ultimate
dy pass from ocean to ocean.
Ihe movement to form the new re-
public began on June 20, 1895, when the
GuiterreS of Salvador and BonHla of
Honduras, formed the treaty of ANA
pala. This provided for a union on the
foreign affairs of the three countries
and created a diet which directed these
foreign affairs. 1t did not amount to a
national union, however, and in the
opinion of the state department, it was
not a government having the attributes
of sovereignty, but merely a confeder-
alton of separate governments for the
purpose of conducting their foreign af-
fairs in common. The diet therefore
recommended the formation of a gen.
eral assembly, with 20 delegates from
each of the three countries, to draw up
complete constitutional union. The
assembly met on June 20, last, the an
niversary of the treaty of Amapala. On
August 27- last a constitution for the
new republic was finally drawn up and
signed with due formality.
The general character of the new gov
ernment is shown in a communication
received by Senior Correa from the Sec
retary Of the assembly. It states that
the new order OF things goes into force
On November l, the name of the re-
public being the United States of Cen
trail America, formed Of Nicaragua, Sal
vadOr and Honduras. Provision is made
for the admission of Guatemala and
Costa Rica, if they elect to enter the
new union. A federal form of govern
ment is adopted, the boundary lines of
the state 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 be located This ceded district sur
rounds the Gulf of FOnsica on the Pa
cific side and the capital is temporarily
located at Amapala on the Ilgre lsland,
lying in the Gulf of Fonsica- The capt.
tai will remain here until congress OF
the new republic selects permanent
site for it.
Inc CONSTITUTION pIONIQ6S IOI d P1 CSA-
dent, elected for four years by the direct
vote of the people, with a provision
against immediate reelection. 1t IS
provided also that the three presidents,
ZeIava G1Iiterres and BoniIla shall not
be eligible at the first election, thus
removing all possibility Of influences
favorable to one of the executives The
president is made the cOmmander-1n-
chief of the army and navy and his
functions are much in line of those of
the president of the United States. The
Inauguration of the president is fixed
for March Is next and IN the meantime,
from November 1, the executive power
will be directed by a council of three,
elected by the general assembly, these
three being COrOneI MatuS of Nfcara-
qua, GallegOs of Salvador and Ugart
of Honduras. The presidential cleo
ton occurs the first Sunday in Decem-
ber and at the same time members of
the new house of representatives will
be elected.
TIL executive power is given to a con-
gress of two houses, the senate being
made UP of six senators from each state
and three from the federal district,
while the house of representatives has
one representative for each 10000 in
habitants. This makes a senate of 21
members and house of about 20 mem
berS. The congress meets March 1
next, the Inauguration of the president
following on the 18th.
The federal judiciary provided by the
constitution is patterned after the sys-
tenn of the United States and indeed
throughout the constitution there is a
close resemblance to the systems in this
country.
The governments of Nicaragua, Sal
vador 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 coun-
try control their local affairs.
The Nfcaraguan canal project will
hereafter be under the direction of the
new republic as it is a national ques-
ton. The constitution provides, how
ever, that all obligations of the separate
states, entered into prior to November
l. will be upheld, so that any conces-
sions made by Nicaragua prior to that
date will be operative. From now on
however, it will be the United States
of Central America instead of Nicaragua
which will have entire control over the
interoceanic canal route.
Senor Correa regards the new form
of government as well suited to
strengthen and develop the countries
of Central America, giving them a
mutuality of interests and then a Joint
force of arms sufficient to keep in abey-
ance the revolutionary spirit which has
found expression from time to time,
while the republics were separated