Evening journal., 1900-01-02
UNKNOWN REPUBLICS
QUEER LITTLE COUNTRIES UN-
KNOWN TO THE GENERAL PUB


QUEER LITTLE COUNTRIES UN-
KNOWN TO THE GENERAL PUB
Lie.
There are a number of small repub-
lies in the world about which so little
Is known that not one person in a
thousand could tell you anything
about them. yet each is a little king
dom in itself. with a president and
Council to govern state affairs, and its
own peculiar trials and troubles to
worry the people.
As regards population, the smallest
republic in the world is that OF Tavo-
lara, an island about five miles long,
with an average width Of little more
than half n mile, situated about
dozen miles to the northeast of Sardi-
MIA. The total population Of the whole
of the republic does not exceed sixty,
but they elect a president every six
years, and a Council Of six members
all of whom serve the state without
pay. Tne women of this island 90 to
the polls and vote with the men, and
ever since it became a republic, in
1SS6,all public business has been trans
acted without turmoil. the elections
taking place without any high party
feeling OF undue excitement
In 1886 King Charles Albert, Of Sar-
DINA. granted the Island of TavOlara
TO family of the name of BartoleOni,
but in less than half a century the in
habitants threw off the yoke of mon
archy AMI took to themselves the right
TO be governed by themselves. This
little war did not alarm the world, and
was quite a peaceful one. King Paul
/ reigned until 1882, and on his death
bed requested that none of his kin
should succeed to 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 dts independence
was recognized by Italy. and, It is to
be presumed, others powers would
nave recognized II also if they had
known of its existence. The inhabi-
tants Live principally by fishing and
raising fruits and vegetables. They
fear no sudden invasion, for they dis
pense with any army or navy. and
presumably, in case of need. would
rely upon their entire population to
uphold the freedom of the country.
very few people have heard of the
existence of the Republic of Goust.
which is situated on the fat top Of a
mountain in the Bases Pyrenees.
south of France. 1t has but an area
OF one and a quarter square miles. and
apopulation Of l40; SO that. as regards
size, 1t can fairly claim to the smallest
republic in the world 1t Is an older
republic than the United States. hay
ing been in existence since l648. and
enjoys the distinction of being resog-
nized by both Spain and France.
The president is elected from an
Elder college, consisting Of twelve
peasants, who are chosen every twelve
years by the people The president is
also tax collector, assessor and Judge.
II, however, his decisions are displeas-
ing to the people they appeal to the
bishop Of Laruns,in the Spanish parish
down the mountain side. and what the
bishop says is law. Goust is certainly
n unique place, for It has no church or
clergyman, the people worshlping in
churches beyond the limits of their
country. Neither have they any burial
ground, and when a death occurs
among them the body is slid down to a
cemetery in the valley below. In this
valley, too, all the baptisms and mar
riages take place
The Republic Of San Marine, in Cen
trail Italy. is perhaps the best-known
OF these tiny republics. It's territory
covers about thirty-three square miles
and tho population numbers about g.
800 souls. This miniature state was
founded in the fourth century by ST
Marinus, who, having embraced Chris
uanity, fed here T. escape the persecu-
ton under Diocletsp The capital
san Marino, is on The crest of a. noun.
tain over 1000 feet high and has a
population of l,20o. Al IS one of tbs
most picturesque places in the world
being perched on perpendicular cliffs.
The republic is governed by a Legis.
latiire Senate OF sixty members. elect.