Government.—The country is governed under a constitution by which the legis lative power is vested in a National As sembly, consisting of representatives chosen by universal suffrage for four years, and a council of state of 13 mem bers, partly elected by the National Assembly and partly appointed by the president. The president is elected for a term of six years. There are depart ments of foreign affairs, government and justice, hacienda and public credit, public construction, fomento, and war.
History.—Ancient Guatemala was oc cupied by a race of Indians who had reached a high state of civilization at the time of the early Spanish invaders. It was conquered by Alvarado, a lieu tenant of Cortez, and until 1824 was under Spanish rule, although independ ence was declared in 1821. Guatemala was a member of the Central Ameri can Confederation from 1824 to 1839, and several times since has attempted to bring all the Central American re publics into a union, but without suc cess, until 1897, when she signed a treaty of union with Costa Rica, and the Greater Republic of Central Amer ica, which was, however, soon after dis solved.
Manuel Estrada Cabrera was elected president in 1898. During his adminis tration much was done to improve edu cational and economic conditions. He was re-elected in 1905, but shortly after ward was accused of endeavoring to become dictator and a revolt was organ ized by General Barillas. This threat ened to involve all the Central American countries in war, but by the intervention of President Roosevelt and Diaz an armistice was arranged in 1906 which was later incorporated into a treaty be tween the Central American countries.
Guatemala in 1907 joined in the Central American peace conference which pro vided for a Central American court of justice. Cabrera was elected for a third term in 1910. Difficulties arose with Great Britain in regard to the debt owed to British citizens by Guatemala, and in 1913 the United States undertook to ar range matters with Great Britain and took over the supervision of the finances of the country. Guatemala broke off diplomatic relations with Germany in April, 1917. The British minister to Guatemala had been active in stirring up plots and intrigues against the 'United States in all of the Central American States. President Cabrera was re-elected in 1917 for an additional six-year term. Guatemala City was almost completely destroyed in January, 1918. A treaty of peace was approved by Congress on Oct. 7, 1919. President Cabrera was de posed in a revolution which broke out in April, 1920. Dr. Carlos Herrera be came provisional president. Cabrera was accused of being a dictator and en deavoring to use his office for personal ends. He had been in power for 22 years. The new government was rec ognized by the United States on June 24, 1920. Herrera was chosen permanent president on Aug. 29.