The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-02-05
San Marine, Oldest and Smallest of Worlds
 Republics, Now at War


 This is the national holiday of San
 Marine, the tiny little nation in the
 heart of Italy which boasts of being
 the oldest of the worlds republics. It
 is also the smallest, having an sarea
 of about thirty-three square miles, and a population of 11,041. It was in
 the third century that Marinus, a stone mason, fled from Rimini with few other Christians who had been
 perseceuted by the order of the cruel Emperor Dioc1etian, and on the inn
 pregnab1e crest of Monte ,Titano, a dozen miles away, founded the repub
 lie which perpetuates his name. Sew eral times the republican government was overthrown, but it was always re- established, and on Feb. 5, 1740, the republic was so1emnly and finally re- stoged. Ever since then the people of the tiny mountain republic. have celebrated the fifth of February as their patriotic holiday.
 Much interest and not little deris- ion was aroused last June when it was sheathed It's sword and formally de- c1ared war on Austria. Small as is the population of the country, San Ma rino has sent to the Italian front a force which, approximately, is prob ably greater than that of any other nation engaged in the war. San Ma rino has been practically depopulated of men of military age.
 In time of peace the San Marine army consisted of $50 men and thirty nine officers. This force has been greatly augmented by volunteers, and it is reported that about 2,000 of San Marino's sons, or more than a sixth of the total population of the country Is engaged in war serviceA All of the people of tho little country are Italian front force which, propor- tionate1y, is probably greater than 0f war. San Marine has been practical Iy depopu1ated of men of military age.
 In time of peace the San Marine army consisted of $50 men and thir- ty-nine officers. This force has been greatly augmented by volunteers, and it is reported that about 2,000 of San Marines sons, or more than sixth of the total population of the country is engaged in war service. All of the people of the little country are Italians, and naturally in sympathy with their countrymen.
 San Marino's declaration of war against Austria was made by the Ma ttona1 Assembly, which has sixty members, one third of whom repre- sent the nobility of the country, one third the landowners, and the remain ing third the ordinary hoi pol1oi. In spite of it's democracy, San Marine has adhered to the caste system, and thefnob1es of the country are sepa- rated from the cOmmOnerS by as W1Oe a gulf as in any monarchy.
 The people of San Marine have a1- ways believed in ''preparedness,'' and every citizen is a soldier. The ''Mil- 1tia. of the Rock" as the army is cali ed, consists of every able-bodied cfti- zen between the ages of eighteen and seventy. After he has attained three score-and-ten the citizen of the repub4 lie becomes exempt from military du- ty, but it is said that several citizens who have passed that age are among the volunteers who are fighting for their fatherland against the hated Austrians.
 This is mot the first time that San Marine has been involved in interna- tiona1 controversies In the eighth century San Marine declared war against the Holy Roman Empire. This | is one of the boasts of the people that | their ancestors defied the mighty l Char1emagne. About twenty years ago San Marine Quarre1ed with Italy, | and was threatened with annexation, because of the republics violation of 1 it's treaty with Italy whereby it was bound not to issue a coinage of it's own. The United States made an ap- peal in behalf of it's little sister re- public, and San Marine escaped the 1 fate which threatened 1t. A little la ter Uncle Sam sought to effect a treaty l of extradition with the mountain re- public, but San Marine denied the re- quest on the high moral ground that it could not enter into any relations with a nation so backward as to ex- act the death penalty.
 All revenues are derived from the taxes on tobazcco and wine, together with a, small levy on property and du- ties on provisions. San Marine has ministers in several European capi- tals, but pays them only twenty cents l a day As they are usually reward ed with the title of duke or. prince. the diplomats consider. that they are well paid.
 rroRKERs GIFT 1NCREAsE