BOLIVIA. 252 BOLIVIA. The trade with the United States, which shows some increase of late, is confined mainly to im- ports of cotton fabrics. The Icadinj; pusilion of Germany in the commerce of Kulivia is attrib- uted largely to the predominance of (icrman im- migration and to the cheaper prices of German goods. The surface formation of the country is not favorable to the development of a good system of communication. Jlost of the roads in the moun- tainous regions are intended only for pack-ani- mals, by which the internal commerce is princi- pally carried on. and wagon-roads are found only in the vicinity of the capitals of the provinces and other large cities. The principal roads of the country in 11100 had a total length of nearly 950 miles. Of railways Bolivia has only one narrow-gauge line from Oruro to the Cliilean frontier (about 500 miles), with a small branch line (25 miles) to the mines of Huanchaca. Plans for new lines, however, are numerous, and concessions have been granted for railways to connect the city of La Paz with the Peruvian frontier, Oruro with Coehabamba, and Santa Cruz with Balila Negra, on the eastern frontier. Bolivia is connected by telegraph-lines with Peru, Chile, and Argentina, and by cable with the Unit- ed States and Europe. There are about 2300 miles of telegraph-lines. Got;bn>iext, Finance, etc. The govern- ment of Bolivia is a representative democracy, in which the executive power is vested in a President, elected directly for four years, who is assisted by two Vice-Presidents, similarly elected, and a responsible ilinistry of five members. Neither the President nor the Vice-Presidents are eligible for two successive terms. The legislative authority is intrusted to a Congress consisting of a Senate of 18 members, elected for six years, and a Chamber of Deputies of G4 members, elect- ed for four years. For administrative purposes Bolivia is divided into eight departments, which are subdivided into provinces and cantons. The governors of the departments and the prefects of provinces are appointed by the President, and they, in turn, appoint the administrative ollicers of the cantons. The two territories in the north- western part of the counti'y have been adminis- tered since 1900 by separate ofiieials called 'dele- gados nacionales.' Municipalities in each de- partment are subject to supervision by the municipal council of the capital of the depart- ment. The Supreme Court, which constitutes the highest judicial authority of the republic, consists of judges nominated by the Senate and elected by the Chamber of Deputies. The re- public has seven judicial districts, each contain- ing a number of superior coirts and inferior tribunals. Since 1892 military service has been compulsory for every able-bodied citizen between the ages of 21 and 50 years. The total strength of the Bolivian Army is over 80,000 men, of whom only about 2000 belong to the standing array, the remainder being composed of reserves and territorial guards. The revenue is derived chiefly from import and export duties, and in- ternal revenue. The annual l)idget balances at nearly 10.000,000 bolivianos (. 'i<4. 500,000 ) . The exteriial debt of t>, 550.000 bolivianos (.'{!2.70O,- 000), dating fnmi the Cliilean War, has l>een nearly paid. The internal debt amounted in 1900 to about $1,500,000. Education. Theoretically, education is fre& and obligatory; but the number of public schools is very inadequate for the needs of the country. There are six universities, eight colleges, five the- ological seminaries, and a number of private high schools. The primary schools, mostl.y maintained by the municipalities, number some TOO, with a total attendance of about 37,000. There are also a number of missionary schools for the natives. Population. No census has been tal<en in Bolivia since 1854, when the jiopulation was 2,326,126, of whom the whites and mestizos num- bered only 034,000. The population has prac- tically remained stationary since then, now being estimated at 2.500,000, including whites, mainly of Spanish origin, mestizos, and Indians. The last belong mostly to the Aymaril and Quichna. tribes, which have been partly converted to Christianity and are engaged in agricultural pur- suits. In the eastern portion of the country are found a number of Indians of the Guarani tribe, who are still uncivilized. The capital of Bolivia, and largest city is La Paz. History. The territory of Bolivia, which was subdued by Hernando Pizarro in 1538, consti- tuted, under the name of the Audiencia of Char- cas, a part of the Viceroyalty of Peru till 1776, when it was annexed to the Government of La Plata. Within forty years after the Conquest, Spanish settlements were formed at Cliuquisaca (Sucre), Potosf, La Paz, and Coehabamba, and luimerous silver-mines were opened, in which the Indian population was compelled to labor. S» thoroughly were the natives subjugated that no important rising occurred till 1780. when Tupac Amaru, a descendant of the ancient Incas, headed a formidable insurrection, which for a time threatened the destruction of the Spanish power in the region. Tbe first revolutionary (uitbrc-ak against the authority of Spain occurred at Chu- quisaca (Sucre) in Jlay, 1809, and was followed in Axigust by a rising of the inhabitants of La Paz. in 1810 an army from Ruenos .yres came to the assistance of the patriots, but it was de- feated at Huaqui by tJeneral (Joyoneche, who put down the insurrection with great cruelty. For fifteen years the country was devastated by a sanguinary guerrilla warfare, with several pitched battles, in which victory changed from side to side. More than once fiesh Argentinian armies invaded Upper Peru, but no definite result was attained till 1824. when the Spanish army in Peru was crushed by the Colombian force under Gen- eral Sucre. On .ugust 0, 1825, a Congress at Cliuquisaca declared the independence of Upper Peru, and five days later the Republic of Bolivia was organized, embracing the provinces of Potosf, La Paz, Coehabamba, and Santa Cruz. .V consti- tution drafted by Bolivar, the Codigo Boliviano, was adopted, and the Presiden<'y for life was offered to General Sucre, who accejited the ofliee for two years only. lrom the beginning, almost, of its national existence, Bolivia was plunged into a state of chronic revolution and civil war, from which it was relieved only at intervals by the absolute rule of some military leader. Ac- cess to the oflice of President was gained most often through force of arms, and in the struggle between factions the Constitution of the country was repeatedly tampered with, suspended, or totally disregarded. Of those Presidents who succeeded in giving Bolivia breathing-space for the development of its resources, mention may be
