The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1920-05-17
FOUR PIGMY NATIONS
WISH TO JOIN LEAGUE
Iceland, Republic of Georgia, San Ma
rino and Gutenberg, BY Their
APPLICATIONS, Have Awakened
New Interest In Them
selves

Applications by four of the smallest
countries in the world--lceand, the
republic of Georgia, San Marine and
Luxemberg for admission to the
league of nations, which are to come
before the council of the league, when
it convenes shortly in Rome, Italy,
have awakened interest in these lands
and peoples
Iceland, which until 1918 belonged to
Denmark, has a population of approx
mately 10000 and an area OF $4,000
square miles. 1t was discovered by
Noresmen in the 9th century and con-
tinued as q republic until 1902, when
il united with Norway. In 1899 it was
taken by Denmark in whose hands it
remained until two years ago when,
in full agreement with the mother
country, under principle Of self deter
mination, Iceland proclaimed its indie
pendence, King Christian of Denmark
honored his former colony by sending
warship to salute the lcelandic nation.
al flag
The Danish government in 1918 for
bade the manufacture or sale OF intoxl'
cants and the parliament OF Iceland
subsequently enacted prohibition law
making the 10 syssels or parishes IN
the country's three ANTS or provinces
forever dry" Icelandie women have
long had the right TO vote.
Reykjavik and Akreyri, the princi-
pal villages of Iceland, are on the coast
which is belt of rich pasture land.
The interior is a vast plateau 1000 or
more feet above sea level composed
largely of sand and lava desert and
practically destitute OF grass or trees,
excepting a few hardy beeches There
are no roads. For centuries Iceland
was the center of volcanic eruptions,
the lava fields covering an area OF
$500 square miles.
Georgia, formerly ancient fveria, a
part of Russian Trans Causasia, 10
populated by people, who call them
selves Martli and who are known by
neighboring Persians as Curl. The
seats of government are tifiis and
Guria In the third century they con.
stituted mighty state which lasted
until 1924 when it was divided into
three parts. In 1900 Georgia was in
corporated in the Russian empire.
The population of Georgia at the
time she declared her independence Of
Russia, on May 20, 1918, was about
100000 Eighty per cent Of the
Georgians are farmers. On March II
last the independence of Georgia was
recognized by italy. Under the Turk
ISL peace treaty Batum Is to become
a free port.
San Marine, or Sammsrino, is not
only one of the smallest but one OF
the eldest republics in Europe. II is
enclosed by three Italian provinces aud
consists of a craggy mountain 2,42O
feet high on which is the town and
some eircumjacent terraces with four
or FIVE villages The population prior
| to the war was about 5000. San Ma
rino furnished an army TO the allies.
| The chief industry is agriculture, in
GLIDING the raising of cattle The leg
| islature of the republic is composed Of
| a Senate of 60 members elected for
| life equally from the ranks of peas.
ants, citizens and mobiles. Two presi-
dents are chosen by the Senate every
/ six months.
Luxemberg, which lies between Rhen-
| ish Prussia, Belgium and Alsace- Lor'
raine, and which was occupied by the
Germans during the war, was made a
grand duchy in 1914 by the king of the
Netherlands In 1867 il was declared
neutral territory by the treaty OF
London II has belonged, however,
since 1912 and until the signing Of the
Versailles treaty to the Zollverein or
| German customs union.
The population of Luxemberg before
the war was approximately 100000,
| living in an area of about 900 square
miles. Walloon French is spoken in a
few villages but the language Of the
people is chiefly German dialect.
After the armistice in the World
war. the Germans evacuated LuXem-
/ berg a revolution occurred but was
| halted by the allies The American
troops passed through the country and
were well received The Grand Ouch
ess Marie. whose abduction had been
demanded by a mob. fled from the
country and a republic was proclaimed.
I mis- new government, however, existed
only a few hours. The parliament
called for a plebiscite TO decide the
future form OF government and the
people voted for a restoration Of the
grand duchy, clecting as grand duchess,
| Princess Charlotte, sister Of Marie.