The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1920-05-09
four REPUBLICS
SEEKING LEAGUE
SMALLEST COUNTRIES IN WORLD
WILL ASK LEAGUE OF NATIONS
TO ADMIT THEM TO MEMBER
SHIP.

New York, May 8.-Applications by
-four of the smallest countries in the
world Iceland, The Republic of Geor-
gia, San Marine and Luxemburg-for
admission to the League of Nations,
which are to come before the coun-
Gil of the league when it convenes
shortly in Rome, Italy, have awakened
interest in these lands and peoples.
Iceland, which until 1918 belonged
ot Denmark, has a population of APP
proximately 10000 and an area of 35,-
900 square miles. 1t was discovered
by Norsemen in the 9th century and
continued as a republic until 1892 when
it united with Norway. In 1889 1t
was taken by Denmark in whose hands
it remained until two years ago when,
in full agreement with the mother
country, under a principle of self
determination Iceland proclaimed it's
independence. King Christian, of Dem
mark, honored his former colony by
sending a warship to salute the Ice
landic national flag.
The Danish government in 1913 for
babe the manufacture or sale OF in
toxicants and the parliament of Ice
land subsequently enacted prohibi-
ton law making the 10 syssess or par
ishes in the country's three ANTS or
provinces forever dry" Icelandic
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 pleateau
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 COW
ering an area Of $500 square miles.
Georgia, formerly ancient Iveria, a
part Of Russian Trans Causasia, is
populated by a people who call them
selves Martli and who are known by
neighboring Persians as Curl. The
seats of government are Tiflis and
Guria. In the third century they con-
stituted mighty state which lasted
until 1424 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 declare her Independence of
Russia, on May 26, 1918, was about g.
100000. Eighty per cent of the Geor-
gians are farmers. On March II last
the independence Of Georgia was rec
ognized by Italy. Under the Turkish
peace treaty Batum 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 en-
closed by three Italian provinces and
consists of craggy mountain 2,240
feet high on which is the town and
some circumjacent 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
Guiding the raising of cattle. The leg
islature of the republic is composed of
a senate Of 60 members elected for
fron-the ranks of peasants,
citizens and mobiles. Two presidents
are chosen by the senate every six
Luxembourg. which lies between
Rhennish Prussia, Belgium and Alsace
Lorraine, and which was occupied by
made a Grand Duchy in 1914 by the
1AHiS "a lHc 4SStHSIldHuS. IN 1851 II |
was declared neutral territory by the |
Treaty of London. It has belonged.
however, since 1912 and until the
signing of the Versailles Treaty to the
Vollverein or German Customs Union. |
The population of Luxembourg before |
The war was approximately zoo, 900 |
living in an area of about 1000 square
miles. Willoon 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 Luxem
ourg, a revolution occurred but was i
halted by, the Allies. The American
.roops passed through the country and