El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1915-06-10
SAN MARINO IS
OLDEST REPUBLIC
Also Is the Smallest, but
Has Often Defied the
Great Nations.

Washington, ID. @ June IO.-"San
Marine. the worlds tiniest republic, a vest
pocket edition. which has been brought
into the war area by Italy's declara-
1 tion against Austria-Hungary, is
described by the National Geographic
society.
san Marine despite its midget pro-
portions. is the most venerable. the
most persistent and enduring of re-
publics- For il adds TO its quality
Of being one Of the smallest states in
the world. that Of being the oldest
state in Europe It has weathered
eNtnguish even its memory among
men, by the score; and, today, the
ancient midget republic is again on
the firing line Of a world CONFUSION.
Has But One Town
san MarinO is situated between the
italian provinces Of Forli and Pesaro-
Urbino. in the north OF Italy. near
the Adriatic coast, within reach Of
big guns from the sea. 1t lies u miles
southwest Of Riminf, an Italian coast
city, and well within the zone exposed
to hostile airship and aerOplane at
tack. The republic has one town. which
lies toward the coast, about us miles
due south Of Venice.
The little state has an area Of 80
square miles, and a population Of some
10000 Its territory is very hiIIy,
mountains IN the neiEhbOrhOOd Of its
city, where the Monte Titano. an off
shoot OF the Apennines, reaches the
highest elevation in the republic that
OF 1850 feet The city stands at the
south Of this precipitous rock, and is
sheltered under the defences OF the
mountain, whose three SUBMITS are
crowned by Notifications. These strong
positions, like the Black mountain OF
the MOptenegrins, have played a signi-
ficant part in the preservation OF the
republic through the centuries OF war.
anarchy. neighborly aggression. and
hate Of democracy that the small state
has seen since the year g61, when it
adopted its republican form OF govern
ment- This government, with mOdifi-
cations, Is still in force today. The
arms OF San Marine are three peaks
each crowned with a tower. The shield
Is silver shield. and. besides the de-
Tended mountain peaks, displays the
patron saint
Raises Cattle, Makes Wine.
"The climate is healthful Cattle
raising and swine production are the
chief occupations in the republic, while
lace and embroidery working are a
growing home industry. Many Of the
citizens Of san MarinO earn their live
lihOods outside Of the narrow limits
OF the fatherland as mechanics. the
Some excellent stone carvers come from
among this people. and marble figures
form one OF the exports
THE town Of san Marine. which
grows around its mountain. is pro-
tected by a wall. and shelters about
1900 people. 1t contains the republic
parliament building. a fine type 9f
public structure. much more pretentiOus
than the legislative halls OF a number
OF nations many times as large. There
are five churches and one or two other
interesting architectural features in
the city
Has Army Of 1900.
Military service is compulsory in
the little republic. for it has often
found hat fhe preparation OF its ci-f
Zens was the only guarantee Of the
endurance Of its liberal Institutions Ali
of its men are technically obliged to
serve with the c0lors from s to 50. The
available forces OF san Marine total
about 1900. a trim and well equipped
army. The republic issues its own post
age stamps and copper coinage Coins
OF higher values are Italian
"The city is said TO have been founded
in the fourth century by saint Marinuc
OF Damatia. In 951 it had developed
into a little republic, and during the
long years Of its history several times
forced the recognition Of its indrpenu-
ence from greatly superior adver-
saries.