Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1918-01-05
HEAD Of REPUBLIC
GETS $40 YEARLY
PRESIDENT or ANDORRA. FARM.
ER, EARNS HIS LIVING BY
TlLLGN6 SOIL
Capital Of Country Has 500 People;
Neutrality Stand Announced

Capital Of Country Has 500 People
Neutrality Stand Announced
The stranseSt Republic in th-
world is what 4 writer Ia The New
York sun call, Andorra, which ha.
5000 inhabitants. and which lies ID
.he Pyrenees. between France ant
spain. Il is abou, eighteen miles Wild,
aEd sixteen miles long. from NORTH Ia
south, and il is So difficult OF access
that no railroad runs near II.
The early history 81 sais small
country is unknown Ia 1886 Louis
he Debonair laid siege To city s.t.
uated 10 the south of Andoy.a and
The Audorraus, under Marc Alnlu
gaSer. aided the French. As Ir-
ward charter was given them and
they We're allowed 10 work out their
own destiny unmolested by heir more
powerful neighbors
The age of the country as a repub-
lie is thus fixed AZ lilo years. Ii is
seldom visited by travellers. but thos,
Sh0 have heen there say that. as far
as appearances are concerned. there
is nothing 10 indicate that the customs
Of the people have ever changed. +
IS republic which has never achiey-
II anything in its long and vague his
tory, republic which has never pro
duced page of literature. nor a bar
o. music. nor a painting: Il republic
which has never had place in the
councils of Europe and has never ask.
ed for one; nation which has never
produced an ambitious man.
The form Of government is unique.
There is no nobility, and there are no
class distinctions, legal or olner. The
president of the country is a farmer
aho depends on his own labor for hi,
living Every four years the people
elect twenty four representatives.
whose business it is to govern tho
country whenever there is any govern.
'Lg TO he done. These representa-.
tiyes choose one of their number for
president His salary is 80 pes0tas a
year. or about $40. Representatives
get $3.50 a year.
Although as rule the people are
honest, and THEFT is practically I'M
hnown, there is a disposition on the
part of the poorly paid government o.
ticials to take advantage Of the nu-
nerous opportunities for graft. In,
deed, Nety INSCRIPTIONS repres enta-
tive sometimes acquires $50 through
4 single years grating, thus doubling
his income 'fh9 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 Niclla,
with population Of 500, a city in
which is located the house OF repre-
hentatlves, which is also used Tor
school house, Jail, town hall court
mousse and hotel, There are no police,
every citzeh having the right to ar
"est. Aside from farming the main
occupation of the Andorrans is
which is not regarded as p
crime, though the French ard span.
lhh governments think differently.
Owing to the mountainous nature
Of the country there are very few
farms, but since the for
osts have been cut away there is
much land suitable for grazing. The
only roads are bride paths. Onr
main highway leads from Andona
10 the high road to SEQ de urgel.
The main characteristic Of the pco.
pie, aside from their dense ignorance.
IS their lack Of ambition. They refuse
10 use tools which were not used hv
their ancestors, and they have No ides
II what is commonly called progress,
\ man who tries to get ahead is look, 7,
"a upon as mentally unbalanced one
native, who had Travelled in France,
undertook TO attract visitors to Andor,
"a by opening hotel near fine
sprine, but he could get no assistance
Tor the people do not welcome yisi.
tors
y few weeks ago the little republic
lrew the attention Of the world 10 it.
self when 1t announced policy of :
issuing proclamation
'omewhat similar TO President VII.
'on $. President Pedro Font Of An.
lorra sent letter TO President Wi.
ION, IN which he praised his stand OH
no question of neutrality. and. then
'poled the effect by displaying hi,
ignorance In the concluding passage.
Which Is As follows; Both OF rs are
'eutraI. However | know Won have
l7en generous and charitable to the
}elgians and other victims Of the war
initiating your example, | have SEN
.eleral cases of blankets and tobacco
0 the French soldiers"
title Flora prauer