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 URUGUAY

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URUGUAY

Negro in 1624. Colonia (del Sacramento) was founded by the Portuguese in 1680; for nearly a cen- tury Portugal, relying on the Treaty of Tordesillas (7 June, 1494), disputed with Spain for possession of Uruguay, but finally recognized the Spanish claims by the Treaty of San lldefonso (1 Oct., 1777). Monte- video was estabUshed in 1726 by Mauricio Zabala, Governor of Buenos Aires, to thwart the efforts of the Brazilian traders. It was captured by the British on 23 Jan., 1807, but was soon evacuated, on Whitelocke's defeat before Buenos Aires. On the declaration of independence by the Argentine, 23 May, 1810, Uruguay became part of the United Provinces of Rio de la Plata. In 1811 the Spaniards were routed by Jose Gervasio de Artigas, but held Montevideo, tiU their fleet was destroyed by Almi- rante Brown, in May, 1814, while General Alvear attacked the city by land. In 1816 the Portuguese attacked Uruguay but were driven off. In 1821, how- ever, Brazil, having become independent, annexed Uruguay as the Provincia Cisplatina. In 1S2.'5 thirty-three exiles at Buenos Aires — the Treinta y Tres — returned to F16rida under Lavalleja, raised the standard of revolt, and with the assistance of the Argentine defeated the BraziUans, Brown destroying the latter's fleet in February, 1827, while their iand forces were overthrown at Ituzaingo. Uruguay's independence was soon recognized by both the Argen- tine and Brazil in the Treaty of Montevideo, 27 Au- gust, 182S.

In November, 1828, Jose Rondeau was appointed provisional governor at San Jose. The Constitution was promulgated on 18 July, 1830. General Fruc- tuoso Rivera was elected first president on 25 Octo- ber, 1830, and inaugurated twelve days later. Unfor- tunately the rival political leaders soon plunged the country in bloodshed. The history of tfruguay for the next seventy years was a series of revolutions and civil wars, one of which lasted practically from 1835 to 1851, when Manuel Oribe, the chief of the Blancos, rebelled with the assistance of the tyrant Rosas of Buenos Aires, and subjected Montevideo to what is known as the "nine years siege". From 1864 till 1870 President Flores, aided by the Argentine and Brazil, made war on Paraguay. The country was eventually brought to the verge of ruin and bank- ruptcy, but President Cuesta (1897-1902) succeeded in placing it on a firmer financial basis. On 1 March, 1911, Jose BatUe y Ord6nez, who had already been president (1903-1907), was again placed in power. He is agitating for the adoption of a new Constitution, like that of Switzerland. The two chief political parties in Uruguay for years have been the Colorados (Reds) and Blancos (Whites), so called from the emblems worn by the adverse parties in the struggles caused by Oribe. The former, who represent the landed proprietors more than the peasant class, have generally been in power; there is practically no differ- ence in the pohcies of the two parties, the struggle being merely for the emoluments derived from being in office.

Government and Justice. — The republican Constitu- tion of Uruguay sworn to on 18 July, 1830, is still unchanged. The Legislature consists of a Senate and a House of Representatives, meeting from 15 Febru- ary to 15 July yearly. In the interim two senators and five representatives act with the presidents, a permanent administrative committee. Senators must be over 32 years of age and possess property worth $10,000 or its equivalent. They are 19 in number, one for eacli department, and are chosen by an elec- toral college elected by popular vote. They hold office for six years, one-third of their number retiring every second year. The vice-president of the repub- lic is ex-oflficio chairman of the Senate. The represen- tatives, one for every 3000 adult hterate males, are elected for 3 years. They now number 75. The

president, who is chosen by the Senate and Represen- tatives, receives an annual salary of $35,000 and may not be elected for successive terms. The depart- ments are administered by governors appointed by the Executive, and by a locally elected council. Slavery was abolished in Uruguay in December, 1843. There is a Supreme Court of five judges, appointed by the chambers; its president is elected annually by its members from their own number. There are two inferior courts of appeal, with three judges each. Montevideo has eleven local com-ts of first instance. Each department has a departmental court, and there are smaller judicial sections (205) with justices of the peace and alcaldes. Uruguayan laws are based on the Code Napoleon. The death penalty was abolished in 1907, penal servitude for a maximum of 40 years being substituted. In 1908 an extradition treaty with the United States became law. Provision is being made of a pension system, and laws regulating j

child and female labour. '

Population and Education. — On 31 December, 1909, Uruguay had 1,094,688 mhabitants, or 15.1 persons per square mile, of whom 291,465 resided at Montevideo, the most thickly populated departments after Montevideo being Canelones, Colonia, and Maldonado. Over 25 per cent of the population is foreign, principally Italian (73,000), Spanish (58,000), and Brazilian (28,000). For the years 1906-10 the annual number of immigrants averaged 144,897, and emigrants 127,161. In 1910therewere681Smarriages; 16,515 deaths; 35,927 living births (25.9 per cent illegitimate), and 1317 stiU-births; the figures in 1900 being respectively 4549; 13,882; 31,593; and 1004, The Uruguayans from a physical point of view are the finest South American people. Among the country- folk there are some (Chinos) who give clear evidence of Indian blood. The Gauchos or farm hands seem to have some Charruan blood, which may account for their indifference to animal and even human suffering; they are restless and willingly join in any uprising, forming as a rule the main body of the revolutionary forces that have almost ruined the country. Uru- guayan education is in a very backward state, though primary education is nominally obhgatory. In 1907-8 there were 671 pubhc free primary and 289 private schools, with only 78,727 children on the rolls, though there were 227,770 children of school age. In 1910 the pubhc schools numbered 788, and the chil- dren enrolled 117,000. Teachers averaged 2 per public and 3 per private school. In 1908 the number of illiterates over 6 years of age was 350,547 (of whom 84,502 were foreigners). Montevideo has two normal schools, a state technical school with 1S5 free students; a university with faculties of law, medicine, mathe- matics, sociology, agriculture, veterinary sciences, and commerce. In i'.lOo the university had 112 professors, 530 undergraduates, and 661 students receiving a secondary education. The National Library con- tains over 47,500 volumes, and 9700 MSS. A peda- gogic museum and library with 7000 volumes was founded in 1SS8 at Montevideo. ReUgious instruc- tion is given in the public schools.

ConoiHTce and Finance. — Uruguay has over .5500 miles of good roads; 1472 miles of railroad in 3 systems running from the capital; 170 of tramway, the system at Montevideo being electric; 319 telegraph and 1018 post offices; there are 2 telephone companies, and 2 wireless stations. The traction systems are almost entirely in British hands. Tlie chief ports are La Paloma and Maldonado on the Atlantic; Montevideo and Colonia on the Plata; Mercedes on the Rio Negro; anil Pay.sandii, Fray Bentosand Salto on the Uruguay. In 1910 over Hi, 964,000 tons of .shipping entered and clcan'd Monleviileo. Vessels of light draught can ascend the Rio Negro for 55 miles, and the Rio Uru- guay for over 2(X). Imports in 1911 amounted to £9,756,000 — -chiefly cottons, woollens, coal, and iron;