Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-03-14
BACKGROUND OF EVENTS
BY PAUL Y. COLLINS,

Few centuries later, though the
feudal ages. the region became a de-
tendency of the Bishopric OF Urgel,
Spain. 1t never has belonged to the
Kingdom Of Spain, but only to the
Bishop Of Urgel. under Rome and
Charlemagne. Because when Charlie
magne drove out the Saracens from the
Peninsula, the people of the Valees
d'Andorre were loyal to him in guiding
MN through the passes. and he decreed
that thereafter they should be indie
pendent and be free from taxes. except
that they should show their recognition
OF his sovereignty by annually sending
him two fresh trouts from their
streams. Ever since then the fish have
bit loyalty and the people have been
inoepenqent-except as hereafter re-
lated
The independence is safeguarded by
the French government and the Bishop
OF Urgel-not at all by the government
OF Spain, which kingdom has no
authority In the matter.
Away back in 1040 A.D.~ Roger +
Count de Carcassonne of feudal France
died, leaving to his son, Roger-Bernard
the district OF Folk. so Roger Bernard
became Count de Folk. His son. Roger
Bernard II, married Er,nengarde dc
GaStelpo. who had inherited an interest
IN the valley of Andorra, so that mar
rage brought Andorra partly into nos
session OF the French Count de Foiy
and his heirs. were, for centuries. in
dispute with the Bishops of Urgel as to
tnelr respective interests and authority
until 1918 the dispute was settled "o,lt
OF court" by agreement of mutual nm
divided authority. When feudalisrn was
abolished by the sovereign of France
the interest of the heirs OF Roger
Bernard passed to the crown of France
The actual administration is in the
hands of two "viguiers," one appointed
by France for life, the other bv the
Bishop of Urgel for three wears at a
term. but eligible to reappointment bv
the bishop. These "viguiers" apnoint
some of the minor officials. except the
General Council of "a members elected
by. the heads of households. The wi
gulerS" are responsible to France and
the Bishop of Urgel.
The General Council appoints all off,
Gals except the two "viguiers," and has
charge of police, fishing, hunting. puh-
lie works, etc, While the country is
independent, in theory, 1t has no diplo-
matte foreign relations, and its army
of 500 or 600 is virtually police force.
but its entire citizen body, from is to
SO years of age, is liable for military
defense.
The safety Of Andorra from schem-
ers. is due only to the control of the
government Of France and the Bishop
of Urgcl, for otherwise great gambling
promoters, pointing to the profits of
the little kingdom of Monaco, would
long since have gotten concessions to
make Andorra a gambling center.
Neither France nor the bishop will
tolerate such a capture OF the little
country for such evil influences.
X X
The news as to the .encroachment
of the Spanish government into An
dorra's postal affairs is denied by the
embassies of both Spain and France.
Andorra has no postal union with
other nations, issues no postage stamps,
and always has paid French postage
on letters going to or through France
and on letters going to Spain has paid
Spanish postage. The Perpignan sensa-
tional news about SPANS encroachment
is nonsense: it would be promptly for
hidden by France If it were attempted
by Spain and by the Bishop of Urgel
If 1t were attempted by France. An
dora Is and forever must be free! OF
course, it might be easy for either coun-
try holding control to pick quarrel.
60 to war and annex the conquered"
nation, except for the mutual jealousy
of France and Spain, the guardian
power of the League OF Nations and
the multilateral treaty OF Mr.. Kellogg
and M. BRAND, forever outlawing wars
of aggression, and giving the same pro-
lection to small nations as to the larg-
est and most powerful.
Somehow, the story reminds one of
the thrilling romance about Marjorie
Daw, with its climax, There Is no Mar
jorie Daw."
Copyright, 1929. by Paul " Collins.)