OCR Text |
Show I TO RULE HONDURAS j Dr. Alberto Membreno, minister from Horduras. in Washington, has been designated as first vice-president of Honduras to serve as chief executive of that country pending the election of a new president January 31, 1018. Dr. Francisco Bertrnnd. the present constitutional president of the republic of Honduras, decided in obedience to the will of the people to retire from office net July 31, six months before the expira'-'yn of his presidential term, to enable himself 'o become a osndldrite for the succeeding suc-ceeding period. The Hond'Tin constitution prevents pre-vents th r ..Hon of a presideut unless he retires six months befr-i his term ends. The Honduran congress fcund it necssary to elect a vice-president to succeed Doctor Bertrand, and Doctor Membreno v, as unanimously elected "primer designado," anJ accepted. v i -s 'I He will leave Washington late m the spring. Doctor Membreno was born in Honduras fifty-four years ago, and received his eprly education at Tegu-ugal'a, the capital and at Guatemala city. Late- he bad conferred upon iim by the University of Honduras the degree of doctor of laws, was appointed as a judge, and subsequently was selected as professor of law and procedure in the university sustained by the government. The elevation of Doctor Membreno to the presidency of Honduras is regarded re-garded with distinct approval by officials of the state department and the various Latin-American diplomats accredited near this government, particu larly those of Central America, who see in him not only a man of great talent and learning, but one of moderation and respect for the law. He is not only a distingushed lawyer and diplomat, but also a noted amateur botanist, and has written several interesting papers on certain phases tf plant life in the tropics and in the north temperate zone. |