Evening star., 1921-10-16

people, which have made the
United States and Switzerland
the model republics of the world. the
republic Of Central America" is
ready to begin it's international life
under circumstances which point to
the greatest success. After many
years of fruitless effort to combine
the five republics of Central America
under one government. the states of
Guatemala, Honduras and Salvador
are now Joined under one head, and
within a year the union probably will
include the remaining countries Of
Costa Rica and Nicaragua.
Guatemala. Honduras and Salvador
have ceased their existence as
separate republics. Guatemala's s
adoption of the constitution of the
republic of Central America, October
1, completed the final step in the
formation of the union. the two
other republics previously having
adopted the constitution. pro-
visional government, located at
Tegucigalpa. Honduras capital of the
new republic, will direct the AFFAIRS
of the nation until the selection OF
permanent officials, who will take the
oath Of Office January ]. Elections
will be held within a few days for
the selection of these officials.
!: i: x :;
A COPY of the constitution under
which the 100000 people occupying
| the 100000 square miles of territory
! of the republic are to be governed
, has reached Washington.
Guatemala, Honduras and Salvador
are given the status of states. and
| are united in much the same way as
| the United States of America
THE executive power of the states
| is vested In a federal council. COM
! posed of one delegate and one
| alternate from each state. elected by
\ the people. The three delegates will
| elect one of their number as chair
man of the council, the chairman
! being president Of the republic. The
| term of the president is one year. and
| he may not be reelected for q sue
| cessive- term.
| There are two legislative bodies. a
| senate composed of three senators
| from each state. elected for term OF
six years by state legislatures and a
cha rnber of deputies. composed OF one
representative for each 100000 popu-
lation of the various states. the depu-
ties being elected for a term of four
years.
| Enactment of legislation will re-
! quire approval by a majority Of the
| chamber of deputies and by at least
| two-thirds of the senate. The execu-
| tive power is exercised by the vote
! of any two delegates in the federal
| council. The function of the federal
! council will include direction of for-
/ eign relations. appointment of diplo-
! matte and consular officers. appoint
ment Of the governor Of the federal
| district of Tegucigalpi and the ap-
| pointment of various officers to ad-
| minister the federal departments.
! !: = y y
| Each state reserves its independ-
ence for the management of its in
J ternal affairs. No state may make
1 treaties with another or with a for
eign government. Interstate com.
merce is free of taxation, and nc
state is allowed to enact laws relat-
ling to religious matters.
The armies of Honduras. Guatemala
and Salvador are consolidated under
1.-THE control of the federal government
and no state is allowed to support al
armed force other than necessary po
lice corps to maintain law and order
1t is believed that the new fedora
tarn,y will be reduced, as the expense
iof npkeep would form a very large
percentage of the cost of government
land one of the first steps of the new
government is to cut down useless
expenditure and convert money here
tofore used for armament into devel.
!opment of national resources.
Full citizenship is given all males
twenty-one years or more. and al
males eighteen years or more who
can read and write. Married womer
twenty-onc years old and unmarried
women twenty-five years old who
are able to read and write are Siver
the right to vote. After seven years
the right of citizenship will he denied
illiterates. The constitution makes
primary education compulsory ant
provides for free public schools.
! The constitution provides that fol
clinical. geographical and historical
reasons. Nicaragua and Costa Rica