The newspaper., 1908-11-06
Germany-Its Government.
BY MRS. ESTHER ERWIN STUMP.

BY MRS. ESTHER ERWIN STUMP.
What a magnificent country Germany is and what
an important position 1T holds on the continent OF
Europe and. in fact in the world
The German Empire is composed OF twentysiN
states of which the largest Is Prussia and Bavaria,
comprising about threefourths OF the whole. Prussia
is much larger than all the others. All the states are
combined under its king into great confederation
for protect against the rest of the world and to
better themselves in commerce and trade.
The constitution of the German Empire is based
the Gecreee of April Ii. ISL The presidency of
the empire is the privilege of the king Of Prussia, to
whom belongs the hereditary title of German Emperor
He is known the Deutscher Kaiser or German En-
peror and also the King of Prussia As "A Kaiser he
governs about sixty million people and he always
has more than hall million soldiers ut his command
The duties of the emperor are to represent the
empire in its relation to other STATES to declare war
and conclude peace in the of the empire To
tract alliances and conclude treaties with foreign
states. to accredit and receive ambassadors.
The assent of the Bundesrath Is, however, neces-
sary declaration of war; unless the imperial ter
tory be invaded. its coasts attacked. Theemperor
has also the supreme command of the army and the
navy, summons opens, prorogues. and concludes the
Bundesrath AMI Reichstag appoints and dismisses
officials of the empire, and superntends the consulate
The legislative authority is vested in the Bundles
rath Federal Council and the Reichstag or Imperial
Diet The Bundesrath consists of fifty eight members
appointed by the of the states for each
session The Reicbstag has three hundred ninety
members. elected for OF five by all
III all the States. every German above twenty-five
years OF age having right vote in the State In
which he resides. Members of the army and navy
vote while their period of service lasts. Anyone
may he returned the Iieiehstag who has the right
voting no has belonged for at least year to
of the States.
The I,echstaS lasts for five years. To dissolve it
within that period of the Bundesrath and the
OF the emperor necessary In Of n dis
solution, elections must take place within sixty
days and the Rectstag must meet within ninety
days.
The Congress has the sole right OF legislating
finances Of the cmpr commerce, posts and telegraphs
(except in Bavaria and Wurtemberg) railways, in
far NJ they deemed necessary for the defense of
the country, and proposed notifications of the
stitution of the empire. Certain other matters
left largely the management OF the individual
States.
Proposals of laws laid before the Reichstag
by members of the Bundesrath by commissaries
appointed by it. Every member of the Bundesrath
right be heard there, any tme to represent the
view of the government. To render an imperial law
valid there must be majority OF votes in its favor in
the Bundesrath and Reichstag-nothing is
necessary. Changes in the constitution may be
effected in the same way.
The Reichstag corresponds. somewhat to
House OF Representatives while the Bundesrath is
like Senate.
(ierman Musicians