The New York herald., 1921-10-16
Central Americas Union.
The Government and Constitution Of
the New Republic.

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The Government and Constitution Of
the New Republic.
DR.. Julio Bianchi. Minister of Guate-
mala to the United States, has issued q
statement Of some Of the most impor-
tant provisions Of the recently adopted
Constitution of the new Republic OF Cen
tral America, the text not yet having
been translated into English from the
original Spanish.
The Constitution Of the Republic Of
Central America, uniting the three re-
publics Of Guatemala. Honduras and Ell
Salvador In one free, sovereign and in
dependent nation and creating tho
worlds newest republic. makes PAM
phlet Of forty pages The new republic
has 100000 people and 100000 square
miles Of territory. The Constitution is
now in effect and the work of adminis-
tering the affairs Of the three States an
of one republic is being carried ON BY q
provisional government. Elections will
be held within q few days for tho selec-
tion Of officials who will take tho oath
Of Office in January. succeeding tho pres
ent provisional government.
The Constitution changes tho name oe
the new nation from the Federation Of
Central America to the Republic OF Cen-
trail America A study of the Constitu-
ton shows that it binds Guatemala. Hon
duras and Ell Salvador into q real union
instead Of joining these three nations in
a loose federation. In the new republic
Guatemala. Honduras and Ell Salvador
have the status of States and are united
In much the same way as the States OF
the United States.
The Government Of the Republic OF
Central America Is a copy IN part Of the
governments of the United States and Of
Switzerland. ernbodying q voting system
much like Australia's and some features
designed to meet needs peculiar to Gem
trail America.
The executive power Of the republic -
vested in a Federal Council, composed OF
one delegate and one alternate from each
State. elected by the people. The three
delegates composing the Council will elect
one Of their number as chairman Of tho
Council the chairman being President of
the republic. The term of office OF the
President Is one year and he may not be
reelected for q successive term.
The Constitution provides for two leg
islative bodies. a Senate composed Of
three Senator'S from each State, elected
for term OF six years by State Legisla-
lures. and a Chamber Of Deputies COM
100000 population Of the various States.
the Deputies being elected for a term of
four years by the people. The Federal
District of Tegucigalpa. capital of the
republic. will be represented in the
Chamber Of Deputies by not less than
one Deputy.
Enactment Of legislation will require
approval by majority Of the Chamber
OF Deputies and by at least two-thirds
OF the Senate. The executive power will
be exercised by the votes of any two del
egates in the Federal Council, alternates
having no vote except in the absence Of
n delegate. The functions Of the Fed
eral Council will include direction OF
foreign relations. appointment Of diplo-
matte and consular officers, appointment
Of the Governor Of the Federal District
OF Tegucigalpa and the appointment Of
officers who shall administer the execu-
tive departments of the Government.
Each State will have complete auton-
omy and independence for the manage
ment Of It's internal affairs and no State
may interfere In the affairs of q sister
State. No two States may make treaties
between themselves and no State may
make treaties with foreign Govern
Tpfarafafa fo 20
be subject to any kind of taxation. No
State Legislature may enact laws relat-
ing to religious matters.
In view Of worldwide discussion of
disarmament the provisions for control
of the military are OF especial interest,
as these provisions probably will result
in disarming Central America. The Con-
stitution provides that all Of the armies
and military supplies Of the several
States shall be under the control of the
Federal Government OF the republic.
The States will be allowed only to main
tain police forces sufficient to maintain
law and order. the size Of these forces
to be set by the Federal Government.
No State may purchase military sup
plies. this function and the right to pro-
CldiHl Hlartlal law III any part OF tno
republic belonging exclusively to the
Federal Government. These provisions
are expected to have the effect of dis
banding the armies of Guatemala, Hon.
duras and Ei Salvador in short time.
The Importance Of such a step may be
better understood when 1t Is known that
the cost Of maintaining the small army
OF Guatemala last year was more than
half of the total expenses Of the Govern
ment.
The Constitution bestows full citizen-
ship rights upon all male nationals 81
years or more In age and upon all male
nationals IS years or more in age able
to read and write. After seven years
citizenship rights will be denied illite-
rates. the Constitution making primary
education compulsory and providing for
free public schools. Married women Fl
years or more In age able to read and
write and unmarried women rs years or
more In age able TO read and write have
the right 20 vote.
The Constitution declares that for eth.
nical. geographical and historical rea-
sons Nicaragua and Ccs... s:ica sscsst
Join the Republic of Central America and
invites both OF these rcpublica to enter