Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1921-10-10
New Nation Comes
Into Existence In
Central America

~Tegucigalpa, Honduras, Oct. 1o.-A
new nation having an approximate
area of 100000 miles and a popula-
ton of 1000, 600 will come into ex-
istence today when the governments
OF Honduras. Guatemala and Salvador
will cease to function and the Pro-
visional Federal Council of the Cen
trail American Federation, composed
OF those countries, will take charge.
The new republic lies between
Medc and Nicaragua, with Teguci-
galpa as its capital
h pact of the union was signed
early in January of this year at San
Jose. Costa Rica, by the three men,
toned states and Costa Rica, whose
national assembly rejected it later by
a vote of ~ to 30.
Nicaragua refused to sign the pact
on account Of differences with its
neighbor states about, the interpreta-
ton Of the Bryan-Chamorro treaty,
which gave to the United States spe-
cial right for the construction Of q
territory.
Opinion Divided.
Similar considerations apparently
prevailed in Costa Rica but in both
countries the public opinion is divided
and a Unionist party Is endeavortng to
bring about some time. the union of
Nicaragua and Costa RIGA to the fed
Grafton. II this to a fulfllment.
the population of the new nation
would be increased by 100000 in
haDitants and would extend it's boun-
darr down to Panama.
The union OF these sister" republics
has been a national aspiration since
eighty years ago when political trou-
bles destroyed the Federal Republic
Of Central America which, as a
whole, liberated itself from the Span
ish power in 1921 and maintained its
unity until the forties. They speak
the same language, Spanish, nave the
same religion, Roman Catholics. and
are the same race, predominantly In
dian, except in Costa Rica, where the
white race prevails. Since the Span
ish conquest they have had identical
legislation and the same culture.
The text of the treaty Of union pro-
vides for a government modelled on
the lines Of the constitution of the
United States, with three separated
branches. the executive. legislative
and judicial. although the executive
is modelled more on the Swiss sys-
TEN. A constitution embodying these
provisions was finally approved by
the constituent assembly which met in
September at Tegucigalpa.
In so far as it does not infringe or
the federal constitution. each state re.
tains it's autonomy and independence
in the management and direction Of
its internal affairs and will carry or
the governmental functions not speci.
acally delegated to the federation.
One Man Each.
The executive power reposes in 6
Federal Council composed Of popular.
ly elected delegates. each state t
elect M councilman and one alter.
nate, for the term of five years. AL.
%ternates may enter into the delibera.
tons OF the council but have. no vote
From among their number. the coun.
cilmen elect one president and one
vice president to hold office for one
year. They cannot succeed them.
selves.
The legislative branch reposes in
two houses, n of senator's and the
other of deputies. The senate con.
sists of three senators for each state
elected by the state congress for the
term OF six years and will renew it.
self by thirds every two years. The
house of deputies Is composed OF
popularity elected representatives In
the proportion Of one to every 100,-
600 inhabitants or fraction Of more
than $4,000. The deputies are elect
ed for four years and must renew BY
half every two years.
The judicial power is vested in q
supreme court and other courts "a.
tablished by law. Supreme court
judges will be seven in number and
will be elected for life by the senate
from 2 list Of eligibles prepared by
the Federal Council.
Liberty Of thought and conscience
and many democratic principles are
provided for