The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1898-11-09
SMALL POWERS Unite.
Central American Nap Changed b,
Erection of New Republican.
HISTORY OF THE MOVEMENT.
lie Young Nation na. Grea, stretei,
OF seacoast ON the Pacific and
Atlantic and the site or
NionrasuAn Canal.

Washington. Nov. IA complete
transformation of the geography of
Central America occurred on Nov. L
by the birth of a new republic, the
United States of Central America, and
the disappearance of the republics of
Nicaragua. Salvador and Honduras. ex-
cept as states OF the new union.
Senior Corea, charge d'aHaires OF
these republics during their transition
stage. has received detailed informa-
tion of the changes effected, and tho
form Of government of the new re-
public
AS indicating the dignity and i'm
portance of the United States of Cen
trail America. Mr.. Corea points out that
1t has population of about 2, ,O0O, 600.
an area of about 10000 square miles,
great stretch of seacoast on the At
lantic and Pacific, and the site of the
Nicaragua canal, through which COM
merce will ultimately pass from ocean
to ocean.
The movement to form the new re-
public began on June 20, 1885, when
the three presidents, Zelaya of Near
aqua, Guitterezu of Salvador, and Bo-
nilla of Honduras, formed the treaty
of Amapala.
This provided for a union on the
foreign affairs of the three countries
and created diet which directed these
foreign affairs. 1t did not amount to
national union, however, and in the
opinion Of the state department 1t was
not government having the attributes
of sovereignty. but merely confeder-
alton of separate governments for the
purpose of conducting their foreign
affairs 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 anniversary of the treaty of ANA
pala- On Aug. 81 last a constitution
for the new republic was finally drawn
up and signed with due formality.
Provision is made for the admission
of Guatemala and Costa Rfca If they
elect to enter the union.
A federal form of government is
adopted, the boundary lines of the
states being continued as heretofore,
except as changed by each ceoIng one
department to form federal district.
similar to the District of Columbia,
where the federal government is to
be located.
This ceded district surrounds the
gulf of Fonsica, on the Pacific side,
and the capital is located temporarily
at Amapala, on the Tigre island, lying
in the gulf of Fonsica. The capital
will remain here until the congress Of
the new republic selects a permanent
site for it.
The constitution provides for pres
ldent, elected for four years by the di
rect vote of the people, with provi-
sion against immediate reelection. 1t
is provided also that the three presi-
dents. Selaya, Guitterez and Bonilla,
shall not be eligible at the first cleo
ton, thus removing all possibility of
influences favorable to one of the ex-
ecutfyes.
The president is made the COM
mander-in-chief of the army and navy,
and his functions are much in line with
those of the president of the United
States The Inauguration of the pres
ident is fixed for March Is next, and in
the meantime, from Nov. 1, the eXecu-
tive power will be directed by a coun-
ell of three elected by the general as
sembly. these three being Coronel Ma
tus of Nicaragua. Gallegos of Salvador
and Ugart of Honduras.
The presidential election occurs me
first Sunday in December. and at the
same time representatives to the new
house of representatives. Will be elected.
The legislative power is given to
congress of two houses. the senate be-
ing made of six senators from each
state and three from the federal dis
trict, while the house of representa-
tives has one representative for each
80, 900 Inhabitants. This makes a SEN
ate of 81 members and a house of
about 40 members.