The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1916-11-30
HEAD OF REPUBLIC
GETS $40 YEARLY
PRESIDENT OF AMDoRRA, FARM
H. Err, EARNS HIS LIVING BY
Is ( y, " IILLlNe SOIL
Capital Of Country Has 500 People
Neutrality Stand Announced

Neutrality Stand Announced
"The strangest Republic in the
world" is what writer In the New
York Sun calls Andorra, which has
b,0OO inhabitants, and which lies in
the Pyrenees, between France and
Spain. 1t is about eighteen miles wide
aud sixteen miles long, from north to
south, and it is SO difficult of access
that no railroad runs near 1T.
The early history OF this small
county, is unknown. In 1906 Louis
the Debonair laid siege to city sit
uated to the south of Andorra and
the Andorrans, under Marc Almu.
Eaver, aided the French. AS re-
ward charter was given them and
they We're allowed to work out their
own destiny unmolested by their more
powerful neighbors.
The age Of the country as a repub-
lie is thus fixed at LILO years. 1t is
seldom visited by travellers, but those
who have been there say that, rs far
80 ttPPNteitii tllG SOuGCllCQ,
is nothing to Indicate that the customs
OF the people have ever changed. 1t
is a republic which has never achev-
eC anything in its long and vague his
tory; republic which has never pro
duced Il page of literature, nor a bar
OF music, nor a painting; a republic
which has never had a place in the
councils of Europe and has never ask
ed for one; a nation which has never
produced an ambitious pEin.
The form of government Is unique
There is no nobility, and there are nc
class distinctions, legal or other. The
president of the country is farmer
who depends on his own labor for his
living. Every four years the people
elect twenty four representatives
whose business it is to govern tho
country whenever there is any govern
irg to be done. These representa-
tives choose one of their number fol
president. His salary is so pesotas d
year, or about $40. Representatives
get $3.50 year.
Although as rule the people are
honest, and theft is practically I'm.
known, there is disposition on the
part of the poorly paA government o.
ficials to take advantage of the n,l-
merous opportunities for graft. III
deed, a very unscrupulous representa-
tive sometimes acquires $3.50 through
single years grating. thus doubling
his income. The school system is reg.
"lated by the French, and French is,
taught in the schools, but the people
speak their own language. Andorran
The total cost of the national school
system is $3.50 a year, which Andorra
lays to the French government
The capital is Andorra la NielIa
with population of 500, a city in
which is located the house of repre-.
,entatives, which is also used for
school house, Jail, town han, court
mouse and hotel. There are no police
every citizen having the right to ar
rest. Aside from farming the main
occupation of the Andorrans L.
smuggling, which is not regarded as q
crime, though the French and Span
ish governments think differently.
Owing to tn mountainous nature
Of the country there are very few
prosperous farms, but since the for
csts have been cut away there is
much land suitable for grazing. The
only roads are bride paths. One
main highway leads from Andorra
to the high road to SEQ Gle Urgel.
The main characteristic of the pen
pie, aside from their dense Ignorance
IS their lack of ambition. They refuse
to use tools which were not used by
their ancestors. and they have no ideG
.f what is commonly called progress
a man who tries TO get ahead is look
ca upon as mentally unbalanced. One
native. who had Travelled in France
undertook to attract visitors to Andor
ra by opening a hotel near Il flint
sprns, but he could get no assistance
for the people do not welcome visi
tors.
A few weeks ago the little republic
uIBW tllc dllcIllol VI iic NNliA w ~
self when it announced a policy O
neutrality, issuing proclamation
somewhat similar to President VIII
sons. President Pedro Font Of An
DORA sent a letter to President viii
son, in which he praised his stand o!
the question of neutrality. ard. thei
spoiled the effect by displaying hi
ignorance in the concluding passage
which is as follows: "Both of us ar
neutral. However. know you have
been generous and charitable to tn
I,elgians and other victims of the war
Initiating your example, have sen
several cases of blankets and Tobacco
to the French soldiers"