The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1921-10-14
CENTRAL AMERICAN
NATION LAUNCHED
Honduras, Guatemala and Sal
vadOr United Republic
HAS 100000 POPULATION
Nicaragua And Costa RIGA May Later
Join Federation, Adding Another
Million--Executixe Like u ..--s..


s. IS. 3.sN -------<- ~
Tegucigalpa, Honduras.A new ma
ton, having an approximate area of
100000 miles and a population of A.
100000, will came into existence Mon.
day, when the Governments of Hon.
duras, Guatemala and Salvador ceased
to function in 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,
ico and Nicaragua, with Tegucigalpa
rs 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
RIGA, whose National Assembly reject
ed it later by vote of 10 to 20.
Nicaragua refused to sign the pact
on account of differences with it's
neighbor States about the interpre-
tation of the Bryan hamorro treaty,
which gave to the United States spe-
cial rights for the construction of a
new interoceanic canal, through its
territory.
Similar considerations apparently
prevailed in Costa RIGA, but in both
countries the public opinion is divided
and a Unionist party is endeavoring
to bring about some time the addi-
ton of Nicaragua and Costa RIGA to
the federation If this comes, to a
fulf1llment, the population of the new
nation would be increased by 100000
inhabitants and would extend it's
boundary down I'd Panama
The union Of these sister republics
has been a national aspiration since
10 years ago, when political troubles
destroyed the Federal Republic of
Central America which, las whole
liberated itself from the Spanish
power in 1891 and maintained it's
unityauntil the '40ss They speak the
same language Spanish-have the
same religion Roman Catholic-and
are of the same race predominantly
Indian-except in Costa RIGA, where
the white race predominates. Since
the Spanish conquest they. have had
identical legislation and the same
culture. s mi
The text of the treaty of union
provides for a 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
Constituent Assembly which met in
September at Tegucigalpa.
In so far as it does not infringe on
the Federal Constitution, each State
retains its autonomy and independ-
ence liz 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
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-i
tons of the Council but have no vote.
From among their number the coun-
cilmen elect one president and vice.
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 popularity
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 a
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.