The government of the country is that of a centralized republic with the usual divisions; the President is elected for four years and not eligible for reëlection. The new Constitution which began to operate March 1, 1920, is unusually radical in character, a tendency observed in Uruguay some years ago. The Executive Power is shared by the President and a National Commission of nine members elected by the people. Some Members of the Cabinet are appointed by the President, others by the Commission. Congress elects the members of the Supreme Court, approves or rejects treaties. Bills may be presented to either Chamber by Cabinet Members, who may take part in deliberations or be summoned by a vote of one third to answer questions. A permanent committee, two Senators and five Deputies, represents Congress when it is not in session, and has power to convoke it. ----------------------+---------+----------+--------------+----------- DEPARTMENTS | AREA, |POPULATION| CAPITALS |POPULATION |in square| | | | miles | | | ----------------------+---------+----------+--------------+----------- _On the Uruguay River_| | | | Artigas | 4,400| 37,000 |San Eugenio | 9,000 Salto | 4,900| 69,000 |Salto | 30,000 Paysandú | 5,100| 63,000 |Paysandú | 22,000 Rio Negro | 3,200| 30,000 |Fray Bentos | 12,000 Soriano | 3,600| 52,000 |Mercedes | 18,000 | | | | _On the Plata River_ | | | | Colonia | 2,200| 78,000 |Colonia | 15,000 San José | 2,700| 56,000 |San José | 15,000 Montevideo | 256| 400,000 |Montevideo | 435,000 Canelones | 1,800| 110,000 |Canelones | 10,000 Maldonado | 1,600| 38,000 |Maldonado | 4,000 | | | | _On the Atlantic_ | | | | Rocha | 4,300| 44,000 |Rocha | 12,000 | | | | _Bordering on Brazil_ | | | | Treinta y Tres | 3,700| 38,000 |Treinta y Tres| 8,000 Cerro Largo | 5,800| 55,000 |Melo | 14,000 Rivera | 3,800| 44,000 |Rivera | 15,000 | | | | _In the Interior_ | | | | Tacuarembó | 8,100| 58,000 |San Fructuoso | 9,000 Durazno | 5,500| 53,000 |Durazno | 17,000 Flores | 1,700| 17,000 |Trinidad | 13,600 Florida | 4,600| 55,000 |Florida | 10,000