GREAT EVENTS AND TRIVIAL CAUSES

Hokitika Guardian, 26 March 1931, Page 6

GREAT EVENTS AND TRIVIAL CAUSES

A few months ago two enterprising Australian adventurers found their way to the little State of Andorra, which nestles in the remote resce.se oi the Eastern Pyrenees, on the border line between France and Spain. They intended, in the true Australian spirit, to run some sweep-stake alter the fashion of the Irish Free state, and the natives of Andorra—“good natured, hard working mountaineers. Catalan in stock and speech— ’’ rose to the bait at oik t*. Andorra, it may be observed, is a tiny State 15 miles across, L 5 square miles in area, and containing about 500 people.

Its history goes back to the ninth '•ontnry. when Charlemagne gave it independence. Hut under the feudal system it was controlled by two suzerains, the Count of Eoix. ami the Spanish Bishop of Urgel. who have always appointed in uirn tlie judges presiding over the Andorra Courts. The Counts of Koix resigned their suzerainty to the Kings of Navarre, and when Henry of Navarre became Kn.g of France, in the sixteenth century. France took over one half of the suzerain- power. But the Bishops of Urgel have maintained their authority in unbroken succession from tin* thirteenth century up to this present year of grace, and as the people are all “devout. Roman Cholicsiiietaetai have always deferred to the views ei their spiritual rulers.

But now M. Dmimergue, on behalf o|' Fra nee. and the- Bishop of Urgel, representing the Church of Rome, have refused to permit the two aforesaid Australian sweep agents to carry out their projected “gamble,” and the good folk of Andorra are roused to wrath and rebellion. By what right, (hey ask. do the French President and tin* Spanish Bishop claim to control the “free’’ people of Andorra ! J So intense is the excitement, and so keen the resentment, of these hardy mountaineers that they have* declared themselves independent- and are detyimr the legal lords and masters whoso pr<roga,fives have not been disputed for more than seven centuries. And all this because a Spanish Bishop and a French President have refused to allow Australian sweep tickets to he sold under the shadow of the Pyrenees!