Page:Statesman's Year-Book 1921.djvu/1226

 1174 PERU-

(Republic a del Peru.) Constitution and Government.

The Republic of Peru, formerly the most important of the Spanish Viceroyalties in South America, issued its declaration of independence July 28, 1821 ; but it was not till after a war, protracted till 1824, that the country gained its actual freedom from Spanish rule. The Republic is poli- tically divided into departments, and the departments into provinces. Accord- ing to the Constitution of January 18, 1920, the legislative power is vested in a Senate (35 members) and a House of Representatives (110 members), and renewed totally every five years. The number of senators and deputies can only be altered by reform of the Constitution. An organic law designs the departmental and provincial electoral districts, and the number of senators and deputies which corresponds to each of them. Both senators and deputies are elected by a direct vote. Congress meets annually on July 28, and sits for 90 to 120 days. It may be summoned as often as necessary, but no extra- ordinary session may last more than 45 days.

The executive power is entrusted to a President, elected for 5 years and not re-eligible till after another 5 years. He receives 30,000 soles (8,000?.) a year and an amount for administration expenses, Jixed by Congress each year. There are two Vice-Presidents, who take the place of the President only in case of his death or incapacity, and they are elected for 5 years. The Vice-Presidents receive no salary as such. The President and Vice-Presidents are elected by direct vote.

President. — Senor A gusto 15. Lrijuia, who assumed the Presidency by means of a coup d'itat on July 4, 1919. His position was afterwards confirmed and legalised by Congress, and the President took the oath on Octolwr 15, 1919, for the term 1919-24.

The President exercises his executive functions through a Cabinet 6'f six ministers, holding office at his pleasure. The ministers are those of the Interior, War, Marine, Foreign Affairs, Justice, with Worship and Instruction, Finance and Public Works. Each minister receives 12,000 soles (1,2002.) a year. None of the President's acts has any value without the signature of a minister.

The departments are divided into provinces (113 in all), and these are subdivided into districts (S73 in all). Each department is administered by a Prefect, and each province by a Sub-Prefect. There are three re- gional congresses in the country, one in the north, a second in the centre, and the third in the smith. Deputies to these legislatures aie chosrn by the provinces. Municipal councillors are elected by direct vote, and foreigners are eligible.

Area and Population.

There has been no enumeration of the population in recent years The census returns of 1862 showed a total population of 2,487,916 ; that of 1876 put the number at 2,660,881, of whom about 13"8 percent, were white, l - 9 per cent, negroes, 57 '6 per cent. Indian, 24 8 per cent, mestizos (Cholos and Zambos), and 19 per cent. Asiatic, chiefly Chinese. An