Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1918-03-08
READ Of REPUBLIC
GETS $40 YEARLY
PRESIDENT OF ANooRRA, FARM.
Err, EARNS HIS LIVING BY
TIlllNG SOIL
Capital OF Country Has 500 People;
Neutrality Stand Announced

"The strangest Republic in the
world" is what writer in the New
York Sun calls Andorra, which has
5000 inha bitsnts, and which lies in
the Pyrenees. between France and
Spain. II is about eighteen miles wide
and sixteen miles long. from north to
south. and il is SO difficult of access
that no railroad runs near il.
The early history OF this small
country is unknown. In 1905 Louis
he DebOnair laid siege to a city sit
waited TO the south of Andrrra and
The And0rrans. under Mare Almu
gaver. aided the French. As a re-
ward a charter was given them and
iney were allowed TO work out their
own destiny unmolested by their more
powerful neighbOrs
The age Of the country as a rcpub-
Tic is thus fixed at lilo years. 1t is
seldom visited BY travellers, but those
who have been there say that as far
as appearances are concerned. there
is nothing TO indicate that the Gust 0ms
nf the people have ever changed. II
is republic which has never achiev.
.c anything in its long and vague his
tory: a republic which has never pro,
duced page of literature, nor bar
~ music. nor painting; a yepublic
which has never had a place in the
councils of Europe and has rcver ask.
I'D for one nation which has never
Produced an ambitious man.
The form OF government Is unique.
There IS no eoblity, and there are no
class distinctions, legal or other. The
president of the country is a farmer
who depends on his own labor for his
living. Every four years the people
alect twenty four representatives.,
whose business it is TO govern the
country whenever there is any govern.
'Lg TO be done. These representa-.
tiyes choose one of their number for
president. His salary is. 80 pcsotas a
year. or about so. Representatives
get $3.50 year.
Although as a rule the people ar"
honest, and theft is practically I'm.
known. there is disposition on the
part OF the poorly paid government o.
ficials to take advantage of the nu.
rerous opportunities for graft In.
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 il
taught in the schools, but the people
speak their own language. Andorrau
Inc total cost Of the national school
system is $3.50 A year. which Andorra
lays TO the French government
The capital is Andorra la Wells,
with q population Of 500. a city in
which Is located the house of repre-
sentatives. which is also used for
school house, Jail. town han. coul
mousse and hotel There are no police,
very citizen having the right to ar
est. Aside from farming the main
occupation Of the Andorrans Is
smuggling, which is not regarded as Z
crime, though the French ard Span
i,h governments think differently.
Owing TO thu mountainous nature
" the country there are very few
prosperous farms. but since the for
csts have been cut away there is
ouch land suitable for grazing. The
only roads are bride paths. One
main highway leads from Andorra
to he high road to SEQ de Urgel
The main characteristic Of the PEG
pie. aside from their dense ignorance
is their lack Of ambition. They refuse
TO use tools which were not used by
heir ancestors, and they have no ide
4 what il commonly called progress
\ man who tries to get ahead Is LOOK
"a upon AZ mentally unbalanced. One
native, who had Travelled in France
undertook 10 attract visitors TO AndOr
"a by opening a hotel near a fine
spring, but he could get no assistance
for the people do not welcome vis
tDrs.
A few weeks ago The little republic
drew the attention Of the world to il
self when it announced policy OF
neutrality, issuing proclamation
somewhat similar to President vii
sons. President Pedro Font OF An
dora sent letter TO President vii
son, in which he praised his stand or
ile question OF neutrality. and, thet
spoled the effect by displaying hi,
ignorance in the concluding passage
which is as follows; Both OF us arc
neutral. However, know you have
been generous and charitable 10 tn,
,elsians and other victims OF The war
Initiating your example. have sen
several cases of blankets and tobacco
to the French soldiers"