The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1899-12-27
The Smallest Republios in the world.

The Smallest Republics in the World.
There is a number of small republics
in the world about which so little is
known that not one person in thou
sand could tell you anything about
them, yet each is little kingdom in
itself, with President and Council to
govern state affairs and its own pecu-
liar trials and troubles 10 worry the
people. AS regards population, the
smallest republic in the world is that
of Tavolara, an island about five miles
long, with a width of little more than
half a mile, situated about a dozen
miles to the northeast of Sardinia.
The total population Of the whole of
the republic does not exceed sixty, but
they elect President every six years
and a Council of six members, all OF
whom serve the State without pay.
The women of this island go to the
polls and vote with the men, and ever
since it became a republic in 1886 all
public business has been transacted
without turmoil, the elections taking
place without any high party feeling
or undue excitement.
In 1886 King Charles Albert Of Sar-
dinia granted the island OF Tavolara to
a family OF the name of BartOleoni,
but in less than half century the in
habitants threw off the yoke of the
monarchy and took to themselves the
right to be governed by themselves.
This little war did not alarm the world,
and was quite peaceful one. King
Paul l. reigned until 1852, and on his
death-bed requested that none of his
kin should succeed 20 the throne, and
as no one claimed the honor four years
later the people decided to draw up a
constitution, and Tavolara has been a
very successful little republic since.
Twelve years ago its independence
was recognized by Italy, and, it is to be
presumed, other powers would have
recognized it also if they had known OF
its existence. The inhabitants live prin-
cipally by fishing and raising fruits
and vegetables. They fear no sudden
invasion, for they dispense with any
army or nav; and, presumably, in case
Of need, would rely upon their entire
population to uphold the freedom OF
the country.
The small alf-French and half-Span-
ish republic of Andorra, which lies in
an almost inaccessible valley Of the
Eastern Pyrenees, possesses charter
of right dating from Charlemagne in
40 There is but one way of getting
to Andorra from France, and that is by
the River BOlira. To reach il from
Spain you have to be carried down By
mule over one of the most dangerous
footpaths in Europe. There are six
parishes in the republic and the whole
contains about 5000 people, the terri
tory covering an area of l4S square
miles. The republic is governed by 8
General Council of twenty-four men,
bers, each parish sending four, and OF
this Council the Syndic, or President,
is chosen for life by the Council. The
Syndic being President Of the Repub-
lie, receives a salary Of SIS year and
the members of the Council are paid
s. 50. The republic is rather hamper
ed, for, while it elects its own officers,
collects its own taxes and looks after its
own army of l,l0O men, it has to pay
to France 960 francs a year for the free
importation of corn into the country,
and is forced to import il from France.
Twelve months ago Andorra bought a
big guu from Krupp and planted it al
most in the centre Of the republic, right
between Spain and France. Europe
should trembIe, for when that gun is
fired either France or Spain will be hit,
for the republic is but seventeen miles
across and the gun carries twenty miles,
Very few people have heard of the
existence Of the republic Of Goust,
which is situated on the flat top OF q
mountain in the Basses Pyrenees, south
of France. II has but an area of one
and a quarter miles, and population
of $40, so that, as regards size. il ear
fairly claim to be the smallest republic
in the world. 1t is an older republic
than the United States, having been in
existence since l64S, and erjoys the dis
tinction Of being recognized by bott
Spain and France. The President j;
elected from an elder college consisting
OF twelve peasants, who are chosen ev
cry twelve years by the people. The
President is also tax-collectOr, assess
and Judge. II, however, his decisions
are displeasing to the people, they ap
peal TO the Bishop of Laruns, in til,
Spanish parish down the mountain
side, and what the Bishop says is law
Goust is certainly a unique place, for i
HIS uO CuuiCu VI tici - iiaht thc ~
pie worshiping in churches beyond tn
limits of their country. Neither havr
they any burial ground, and when
death occurs among them the body i
slid down TO cemetery in the vale,
below. In this valley, too, all the bap
tisms and marriages take place.
The republic of San Marina, in Cen
trsl Italy, is perhaps the best-known o
these tiny repu olics. Its territory GOV
ers about thirty-three square miles ant
! the population numbers about $50
souls. This miniature State was found
ed in the fourth century by st. MarinuS
who, having embraced Christianity, fie'
here to escape the prosecutions unde
Diocletian. The capital, San Marine
is on the crest of a mountain over ?, 90
feet high, and has population of / ,2O(
II is one of the most picturesqe place
in the world, being perehed on perpeu
dicular cliffs.
The republic is governed by Legi'
lature, Senate Of sixty members, cleo
ed for life. From this body is electe
the Council of twelve, which, with
legal adviser, decides all question.
Two captains regent, elected every 81
months, represent the State, which hs
also lis Home Secretary, its Minister {
Foreign Affairs, its Chancellor Of th
Exchequer, its army of $50 men, and
regular budget. San Marino is prou