Page:Collier's New Encyclopedia v. 02.djvu/115

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BOLIVIA 93 BOLOGNA length in Argentina and 528 miles in Bolivia. The line will open up rich for- est lands for development and is expected to be of great commercial advantage to both countries. Govei~^iment. — The constitution (Oct, 28, 1880) vests the executive power in a President, elected by direct popular vote, for a term of four years, and ineligible for re-election at the end of his term of office. The legislative authority rests in a Congress, comprising a Senate of 18 members, elected for six years, and a Chamber of Deputies of 64 members, elected for four years. There are also two Vice-Presidents, and a Ministry divided into the Departments of Foreign Relations and Worship, Finances and In- dustry, Government and Colonization, Justice and Public Instruction, and War. The suffrage is possessed by all who can read and write. The republic is divided into eight departments and these into provinces and cantons. The Roman Cath- olic is the recognized religion of the re- public, and the exercise of other forms of worship is permitted. History. — It is believed that the oldest civilized empire on the American con- tinent existed in the Titicaca basin, and that it was disrupted about the 8th century, a portion of the people remain- ing in the highlands of Bolivia till the 14th century, when they were subdued by the Incas of Cuzzo. In 1559 this region was formed into the audiencia of Charcas, or upper Peru, which was gov- erned by judges under the direction of the Viceroy of Peru. Charcas was made a province of Buenos Aires in 1776. Under long existing discontent the people revolted in 1809, but the effort for free- dom was speedily crushed. The country was frequently invaded by patriotic armies from Buenos Aires and Peru during 1811-1821, but all these move- ments also failed. Under the direction of Simon Bolivar (q. v.), the Spanish troops in Charcas were subdued in 1825. On Aug. 6 of that year, the people de- clared their independence and adopted the name of Bolivia in honor of their liberator, and made General Sucre their first President. In 1836 a Federal re- public was established comprising the states of North Peru, South Peru, and Bolivia ; but this confederation was dis- solved by a revolution in 1839. The country was agitated by revolutions and internal dissensions for many years. In 1879 Chile declared war against Bolivia. Peru came to the aid of the latter and the Chilians defeated their allied op- ponents. As a result of this war Bolivia mortgaged to Chile the Littoral Depart- 7 — Vol. ment, which has an area of 29,910 square miles and contains the important port of Antofagasta, thus losing her entire sea- coast, and also gave Chile possession of rich mineral fields. In 1898 a dispute arose with Brazil in relation to the pos- session of the Acre region. This was settled in 1903 by the cession of about 70,000 square miles to Brazil, in return for money indemnity and small territorial compensations elsewhere. The settle- ment with Peru resulted in a long-stand- ing dispute. Bolivia made the claim that the cession of the coast territory made in 1884 was provisional only. In 1904 a treaty was ratified recognizing the dominion of Chile over the disputed terri- tory, but granting Bolivia free access to the sea with the right of erecting customs houses at designated points. Bolivia for a time remained neutral during the World War, but on April 13, 1917, the German minister was handed his passport as a result of the sinking of a Bolivian vessel which was sailing in neutral waters. Jose Gutierrez Guerra was elected president in 1917 for the term ending 1921. On July 11, 1920, a revolution broke out and Gutierrez was compelled to renounce his office. He was sent out of the country and a provisional govern- ment with a Junta was established pend- ing a new election. BOLO, a short, broad, lance-shaped weapon; used by the Filipinos in their operations against the American troops. The blade is about 18 inches in length by nearly 3 inches in breadth at its broad- est dimension. It tapers from the mid- dle toward the haft as well as toward the point, making it strongly resemble the ancient short sword. It is not double- edged, however, but tapers from a thick back to an extremely keen edge. BOLOGNA (bo-lon'ya), one of the oldest, largest, and richest cities of Italy, capital of the province of same name, in a fertile plain at the foot of the Apen- nines, between the rivers Reno and Sa- vena. It is the see of an archbishop, and has extensive manufactures of silk goods, velvet, artificial flowers, etc. Among the principal buildings are the Palazzo Co- munale, which contains some magnificait halls adorned with statues and paint- ings; the Palazzo del Podesta; and the Church or Basilica of St. Petronio. Among the hundred other churches, St. Pietro, St. Salvatore, St. Domenico, St. Giovanni in Monte, St. Giacomo, Mag- giore, all possess rich treasures of art. The leaning towers, Degli Asinelli and Garisenda, dating from the 12th cen- tury, are among the most remarkable ob> II