Middletown transcript., 1921-10-15
CENTRAL AMERICAN
NATION LAUNCHED
Honduras, Guatemala and Sal
vador United Republic
HAS 100000 POPULATION
Nicaragua And Costa Rica May Later
Join Federation, Adding Another
Miliion-Executive Like
+. Swiss.


100000 miles and a population of f..
100000, will came into existence Mon.
day, when the Governments of Hon.
dilras, Guatemala and Salvador ceased
to function in a national capacity and
the Provisional Federal Council of
the Central American Federation, COM
posed of those countries, took charge.
The new republic lies between Mex
leo, and Nicaragua, with Tegucigalpa
as its capital. The pact of the union
was signed early in January of this
year at San Jose, Costa Rica, by the
three mentioned States and Costa
Rica, whose National Assembly reject.
ed it later by a vote of 19 to 20.
Nicaragua refused to sign the pact
on account of differences with its
neighbor States about the interpre-
tation of the Bryan-Chamorro treaty,
which gave to the United States sps-
cial, rights for the construction OF
new interoceanic canal through its
territory.
Similar considerations apparently
prevailed in Costa Rica, but in both
countries the public opinion is divided
and Unionist party is endeavoring
to bring about some time the addi-
ton of Nicaragua and Costa Rica to
the federation. If this comes to
fulfillment, the population Of the new
nation would be increased by 100000
Inhabitants and would extend its
boundary down to Panama.
The union of these sister republics
has. been a national aspiration since
30 years ago, when political troubles
destroyed the Federal Republic of
Central America, which, as whole
liberated itself from the Spanish
power in 1921 and maintained its
unity until the '40s. They speak the
same language-Spanish-- the
same religion-Roman Catholic-and
are of the same predominantly
lndian-except in Costa Rica, where
the white race predominates. Since
the Spanish conquest they have had
identical legislation and the same
culture. ..'. 49,
The text of the treaty of union
provides for government modelled
on the lines of the Constitution Of the
United States, although the executive
is modelled more on the Swiss system.
A constitution embodying these pro-
visions was finally approved by the
in1,
September at Tegucigalpa.
In so far as it does not infringe on
the Federal Constitution, each State
retains its autonomy and independ-
ence in the management and direction
of it's internal affairs, and will carry
on the governmental functions not
specially delegated to the Federation.
The executive power reposes in a
Federal Council composed of popu-
larly elected delegates, each State to
elect one councilman and one alter
nate for the term of five years. Alter.
mates may enter into the delibera-
tions of the Council but have no vote.
From among their number the cOun-
Cuultu ClcCL Ouc pICSlucul duu SlCc'
president to hold Office for one year.
They cannot succeed themselves.
The legislative branch reposes in
two houses. The Senate consists of
three senators for each State, elected
by the State Congress for the term
Of six years, and will renew itself by
thirds every two years. The House Of
Deputies is composed Of popularly
elected representatives in the pro-
portion of one to every 100000 inhabi-
tants or fraction of more than $4,000.
The deputies are elected for four years
and must renew by half every two
years.
The judicial power is vested in q
= Supreme Court and other courts es.
tablished by law. Supreme Court
judges will be seven in number and
will be elected for life by the Senate
from a list of eligibles prepared by
the Federal Council.
Liberty of thought and conscience
and many democratic principles are
provided for.