New-York tribune., 1906-12-24
THE WORLDS TINIEsT REPUBLIC.
Facts About San Marino.

Ten miles inland from the Adriatic seacoast OF
Italy and entirely surrounded by Italian soil. lies
the smallest republic and what is claimed TO be
the Oldest state in the world-the Republic OF san
Marino. Its area is hut thlrty-eight square miles
and its population at the last census was but HOP.
vets it's history dates diny back TO its founding In
the third century after Christ by Dalmatian
would seem-the little republic has escaped the
stress and turmoil of the succeeding centuries,
escaped even the hand of Napoleon IN the years
when he made and remade the map OF Europe az
ms ms peIiai aIT NIL have TetPi1ed its ssnaTa5e identty
despite the movement for national unity which
guided by Cavo9r and Victor Emmanuel came at
San Marino is contrast to Monaco. the minia-
ture puncipalty where. TWO hundred ana @ hity
ing tables OF Monte Carlo lure and ruin the gam
bers of all the world mid a graced by
little republic has resisted rich offers for gambling
concessions. the little princpality has not The
result is that there go 20 Monaco more than one
million visitors every year. while TO San Marino
itors or In San Marino is permitted
private and Iocksmiths so tis said. are even for
hidden to sell latchkeys TO young lest they
oligarchy, with strange medieval laws and a
stitutoq Zines are prescribed for doctors. chem
disturbers Of Roman Catholic services (but not
those Of hereticsl and for 'usurpation of public
esteem by assuming titles. Imprisonment FOR from
one 10 three months Is imposed for Pr3faney using
cursing the founder of the republic To write or
speak IN faNOr or dlSSolVng the Council Is punish
able by ten years penal servtude Special licenses
are required for growing tobacco, keeping She
goats. going up in balloons climbing the town
walls.
A dozen republics the size of San Marino could
be put IN New York without CroWdne The "a nj
tai" the village of San Marino. is percbed ON
sheer rock more than two thousand feet above tha
sea level and the four or five other villages are
part of the town is wholly taken up by the resI
denCes of the mobiles. the remainder of the canitsI
being relegated to the burgesses and peasants The
principal public building is the government pa lace
which contains the throne Of the captains regent
and among other pictures a portrait Of C;A0rgs
Washington with the inscription:
In honor Of the founder OF the greatest Of repub
lies this portrait donated by the citizens Of
the oldest If republics.
There are also several Interesting old churches
and a museum in the city.
Not the least interesting sight In San Marino ts
to see the national army parade. The entire
army consists Of 124 men. Some % the uniforms
every struts about with ferociOus and seiF
satisfied an expression any Prussian veteran
Honorary rank IN this army, with the right 10
wear the uniform is as easily obtained as are the
conferred by the government Of the republic fau-
American citizens have been given handles -
their names. SAYS the foreign COrrespondent ~
The ChCa 20 Chronicle among them being dsr
The spirit Of caste and other most undemocrstic
traditions prevail The executive power Is in tba
hands of two captains regent. elected in April and
October bv the council OF sfYtv Of tbsr,
always be a nohleTnan and the other burgesse
plain citizen All legislative power is vested in
the council Of sixty. which governs the state IN
truly paternal style This council Of sixty Is com
posed If twenty mobiles twenty burgesses A M +vvs1
" peasants. Whenever a vacancy Is caused nv
death the remaining councillors elect s1Iccessor y
Springfield Republican.