Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1921-03-29
SMALLEST OF NATIONS
Europe Has Some Peculiar Political
Divisions.
SOME THAT Are LITTLE But LOUD


Claims to Have Been in Existence
Four Thousand Years-San Marino
is the Oldest Republic.
What is the smallest country in the
world?
'TThat depends upon the angle from
which you view the question. There
are small principalities tucked under
the wings Of sheltering governments,
republics which owe part of their
suzerainty to bishop, and grand
duchies" says a bulletin from the
Washington, D. c., headquarters of the
National Geographic Society.
Monaco, with its eight square
miles of territory, perched three hum
dred feet above the Mediterranean in
the heart Of the Riviera, is the small
est principality. It is the best known
and the most visited, for it contains
the world-noted lure of Monte Carlo.
From Hercules to Fortuna
1.-THE little country has checkered
and interesting history. Its beginning
dates to the days of Hercules, almost
1000 years before the birth Of Christ.
How paradoxical that this hero who
accomplished well-nigh insurmount-
able obstacles by sheer physical labor
should have been even the traditional
founder of "a state whose whole rev.
enue is obtained :. from games of
chance,
'Theodoric the great seems. to-. have
been the only ons of the great Euro
pean conquerors who gave the little
country any respite from wars which
continuously harassed it. And his
charm as a man may have been the
influence which gave the people he
conquered their tolerance for those
who risk their all on a gamble, for it
is said of him that he had the most
delightful manners at dice. If Theo-
doric loses, he laughs; he Is modest
and rettcent if he wins!'
Modern figures show that the in
dustries and trade Of Monaco are un-
important in comparison to it's revenue
from the gaming tables. During 1913
there were nearly two million visitors
in the prinicpality for it's $4,000 popu-
lation. to take care of.
Until 1911 the prince. of the coun-
try was an absolute ruler, but in that
year he gave his subjects constitu-
iton which provides for a National
Council elected by the people.
San Marine Smallest Republic.
Monaco has a close second in dim
inutiveness and rival in the claim of
age, in the independent Republic of
San Marino, which is the smallest re-
public in the world. Surrounded by
Italy, which respects its autonomy,
this republic rears it's thirty eight
square miles of territory to point g.
500 feet about sea,level. It's founder,
San Marino, came",from Arbe in the
fourth century to aid the oppressed
Christians build the stone walls of the
city of Rimini. Born of his desire for
peace, solitude and simplicity of liv-
ing, these qualities have become
thoroughly inculcated in it's national
character and for generations have
been reflected in its history. The
venerable saint taught his people that
war should be resorted to only for
self-defense.
San Marino is governed by great
council of sixty members who are
elected\Dy popular vote. Two of these
members are appointed every six
months to act as regents, and In such
capacity exercise the executive pow
er. So tranquil is the little republic
that it scarcely needs n police force
an atmosphere in contrast to that
created by the frenzfed and feverish
players who sit at, the tables in Mo-
naco.
Where Smuggling was a National In
dustry.
IA Lil1fput republic under the joint
suzerainty of France and the Spanish
Bishop of UrGel Is Andorra. Its 191
square miles of valley almost ten
thousand feet above the level Of the
sea are tucked away in the heart Of
the Pyrenees Mountains. 1t Is gov
erned by q council of twenty-four
members elected by the heads Of fam
lilies in its six parishes. This council
nominates a First Syndicate which
presides over it's meetings and forms
the country's executive department.
1T is said that this little portion of
Spain which is set down in the midst
Of French territory winks an eye at
smuggling. In fact. it is claimed that
during the recent war it's chief occu-
patton was getting things across the
border into France without duty. The
inhabitants discussed the practice as
freely as they would the weather. But
when it is advisable for an Andorran
to keep his own counsel he can do it.
for proverb in the Pyrenees is Tell
a thing to an Andorran and it is lost
A State the Size Of the District Of