The age-herald., 1898-11-04
REPUBLIC OF CENTRAL AMERICA Change in ths Geography of the Vest
 ern Hemisphere. SEVERAL STATES UNITED Nicaragua, Salvador and Honduras Com bine Under One Government. POPULATION OF TWO MILLIONS The Movement to Form the New Re- public Began in June, 1895, and
 Has Just Been Brought to
 Successful Conclusion.
SEVERAL STATES UNITED
POPULATION OF TWO MILLIONS

Washington, November 3.-A complete transformation of the geography of Central America occurred on November l by the birth of new republic, "The United States of Central America,'' and the disappearance of the republics of Nicaragua, Salvador and Honduras, except as states of the new union. Senor Corea, charge d'affaires of these republics during their transition stage, has received detailed information of the changes effected and the form of gov ernment of the new republic. As indicating the dignity and importance of the United States of Central America, MT. Corea points out that it has a popula- tion of about two million, an area of about 10000 square miles, great stretch Of sea coast on the Atlantic and Pacific and the site of the Nicaragua canal, through which commerce will ultimately pass from ocean to ocean.
 Began in 1895. The movement to form the new republic
 began on June 20, 1895, when the three presi-
 dents, Zelaya, of Nicaragua; Gutierre, of
 Salvador, and Bonilla, of Honduras, formed
 the treaty of Amapala. This provided for a
 union of the foreign affairs of the three
 countries, and created a diet, which di-
 
 amount to national union, however, and
 in the opinion of the state department here,
 it was not a government having the at
 tributes of sovereignty, but merely con-
 federation of separate governments for the
 purpose of conducting their foreign affairs in common.
 The diet, therefore, recommended the formation of a general assembly with Af ttrn countries to draw up a complete constltn- | tional union. The assembly met on Juno 20. last, the anniversary of the treaty of Amalapa On August 27 fast constitution for the new republic was finally drawn up and signed with due formality. In Effect November l The general character of the new gov ernment is shown in a communication re- ceived by Senor Corea from the secretary of the assembly. It states that the new l order of things goes into force on Novem- Der l. the name of the republic being Tne United States of Central America formed of Nicaragua, Salvador and Honduras. Provision is made for the admission or Guatemala and Costa Rica if they elect to enter the new union.
 A federal form of government is adopted, the boundary lines of the states being con tinued as heretofore, except as changed by each ceding one department to form federal district, similar to the District or Columbia where the seat of federal gov ernment is located. This ceded district surrounds the Gulf of Fonsica on the Pa cifc side and the capital is located tenn porarily at Amapala on the Tigre island, lying in the Gulf of Fonsica. The capitol will remain here until the congress of the new republic selects a permanent site for it.
 Election of a President The constitution provides for a presi- dent elected for four years by the, direct | vote of the people, with provision against immediate reelection. It is provided also l that the three presidents, Zelaya, Guitierre l and Bonilla, shall not be eligible at the first 1 election, thus removing all possibility or l influences favorable to one of the execu- l tives The president is made commander l in-chief of the army and navy and his l functions are much like those of the presi- l dent of the United States.
 1 The inauguration of the president is fixed l for March 10 next, and in the meantime l from November l, the executive power will be directed by council of three elected by l the general assembly, these three being l Coronet Matus of Nicaragua, Gallegos of l Salvador, and Ugart of Honduras. The presidential election occurs the first Sun day in December, and at the same time rep resentatives to the new house of repre- | sentatives will be elected.
 The legislative power is given to a con- l STeSS or TWO houses, lHe senate DelHS Ddue l up of six senators from each state and ] three from the federal district; while the 1 house of representatives has one represent l ative for each 30,000 inhabitants. l Senate and House l This makes a senate of twenty-one mem- | bers and house of about seventy mem l bers. The congress meets next March l., l the inauguration of the president following l on the 18th.
 The federal judiciary provided by the con- | 5titution is patterned after the system of l the United States, and indeed throughout l the constitution there Is close resemblance l to the system in this country. l The governments of Nicaragua, Salvador | and Honduras become states, their present l presidents giving way to governors. The l states retain control over affairs of a pure 1 ly local character and have legislatures and l direct local affairs as such as the states in this country control their local affairs.
 The Canal Project
 The Nicaraguan canal project will here- after be under the direction of the new re- public. The constitution provides, how 1 ever, that all obligations of the separate | states entered into prior to November will l be upheld, so that any concessions made by l Nicaragua prior to that date will be op- l erated. From now on, however. it will be | the United States of Central America in- 1 stead of Nicaragua, which will have entire l control over the inter-oceanic canal route. | Senor Corea regards the new form of | government as well suited to strengthen | and develop the countries of Central Amer | lea, giving them mutality of interests | and then joint force of arms sufficient to l keep in abeyance the revolutionary spirit 1 which has found expansion from time to | time while the republics were separated. |
 Live Bird Shoot