Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1920-05-10
SMALL NATIONS
WANT TO ENTER
NATIONS LEAGUE
Iceland, the Republic Of
Georgia, San Marine and
Gutenberg, Have Made
Application for Admission.

10y MORNING JOURNAL SPECIAL LEASED NiREl
New York, May 9.-Applications
by four of the smallest countries
in the world-Iceland, the Repub-
lie of Georgia, San Marine and
Luxemburg-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 inter-
est in these lands and peoples.
Iceland, which until 1918 be-
longed to Denmark, has a popula-
ton of approximately 10000 and
an area of $4,000 square miles. It
was discovered by Norsemen in the
ninth century and continued as a
republic until 1892 when it united
with Norway. In 1889 it was taken
by Denmark in whose hands 1t re-
NAMED until two years ago when,
in full agreement with the mother
country, under n principle of self
determination Iceland proclaimed
its independence. King Christian,
of Denmark, honored his former
colony by sending warship to sa-
lutte the Icelandic national flag.
The Danish government in 1913
forbade the manufacture or sale OF
intoxicants and the parliament OF
Iceland subsequently enacted
prohibition law making the nine
teen syssels or parishes in the coun-
try's three ANTS or provinces Tor
ever dry" Icelandic women nave
long had the right to vote.
sReykjavik and Akreyri, the
principal villages OF Iceland, are
on the coast, which is a belt OF rlch
pasture land. The interior is a vast
plateau of 1000 or more feet ABOVE
sea level composed largely OF sand
and lava desert and practically des-
titute of grass or trees excepting
few hardy beeches. There are no
roads. For centuries Iceland was
the center of volcanic eruptlons'
the lava fields covering an area OF
$500 square miles. A.
Georgia, formerly ancient 1verla,
a part of Russian Trans-Caueasla
is populated, by a people who call
themselves Kartli and who are
known by neighboring Persians as
Curl. The seats of government are
Tiflis and Guria. In the third CEN
fury they constituted mighty
state which lasted until l424 when
it was divided into three parts. in
1900 Georgia was Incorporated n
the Russian empire.
The population of Georgia at the
time she declared her independence
of Russia, on May %. 1913, was
about 100000. Eighty per cent
Of the Georgians are farmers. on
March II last the independence or
Georgia was recognized by Italy
Under the Turkish peace treaty Ba-
tum is to become a free port.
San Marine or Sammarino, Is not
only one of the smallest but one
of the eldest republics in Europe.
It is enclosed by three Italian prov
inces and consists of craggy
mountain 2,420 feet high on when
is the town and some circumlaceht
terraces with four or five villages.
THE population prior to the war
was about 5000. San Marine luf-
pished an army to the allies. The
clief industry is agriculture, IN
ending the raising of cattle. The
legislature of the republic Is COM
nosed of a senate of sixty mem
hers elected for life equally from
the ranks of peasants, citizens and
nobles Two presidents are chosen
hvfhe senate every six months.
Tmxemburg, which lies between
Rhennish Prussia, Belgium and AL
sace-L Lorraine, and which was oc-
cupied by the Germans during the
war. was made a grand duchy in
1914 by the King of the Nether-
lands. In ] S67 it was declared nell
trail territory by the treaty of Lon
don. 1t has belonged however
since 1912 and until the signing
of the Versailles treaty TO the zoll-
verein or German Customs Union.
The population of Luxembourg
before the war was approximately
100000 living in an area of about
/, 600 square miles. Walloon French !
is spoken in few villages but the
language of the people is chiefly a !
German dialect.
After the armistice in the world
war, the Germans evacuated Lux
emburg, revolution occurred but
vas halted by the allies. The Amer
can troops passed through the
country and were well received.
rhe Grand Duchess Marie whose
,bdication had been demanded by /
, mob, fled from the country and :
, republic was proclaimed. This
lew government, however, existed /
,nIy a few hours. The parliament
allied for plebiscite to decide the !.
uture of the government, and the
people voted for restoration of
he grand duchy, electing as I
irand Duchess, the Princess Char
H.