The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1918-10-23
Amendments Of Constitution
Takes War Making Powers
Out of Hands of the
Kaiser.
NEARING A DEMOCRACY
Start Has Been Made Toward Curb
ing Autocracy, But Move Has
Not Gone Far
Enough.

[By Robert J. Bender, United Press
Staff Correspondent
WASHINGTON. Oct. 20. Presi-
dent Wilson today was communi-
eating with the allied governments
on questions involved in the disposal
of the latest German move for
peace.
When he determines upon course
OF action-expected now without
much more delay-it will be in close
cooperation with our associates in
the war.
Meanwhile, the official text Of the
German note was ready for delivery
this morning.
And these facts were the only
things certain in a more or less
puzzling situation in officialdom.
The main point Of discussion in
official and congressional quarters
hinged on Germany's alleged consti-
tutional reforms. which the pres1-
dent stressed as OF prime importance
in his last reply to the kaiser.
While widely at variance on the
question Of Germany's sincerity in
her latest peace note, officials and
leaders are practically unanimous
upon one point-that Germany must
SO IhdA OllC LOS oV A~A
promised in amending her constitu-
ton before she can satisfy the world
that autocracy has been shorn Of its
power.
The proposed amendment to the
German constitution now before the
reichstag regarding declaration OF
war reads:
"The consent OF the federal coun-
ell (bundesrath) and the diet (reich-
stag) is required for declaration Of
war in the empires name, except in
cases where imperial territory al
ready has been invaded or its coast
attacked"
The amendment regarding peace
treaties says:
Treaties Of peace and treaties
with foreign states which deal with
affairs coming under the competence
of the imperial law-giving bodies. re-
ouire the consent of the federal coun-
Gil and the reichstag."
The constitution now provides
that "the emperor shall declare war
and conclude peace" These amend
ments, officials agree, mark step
towards German characterization, but
they declare that the constitution
contains other provisions which must
be eliminated or amended before the
kaiser will be shorn OF his auto
cratic war-making power. Among
other changes which officials today
declare vital are:
Removal Of the German army from
the kaisers personal control.
Abrogation of his power to dis
solve the reichstag at will.
Curtailment Of the power OF the
fedeal council or bundesrath.
Re-districting OF the German en-
pire to eliminate the "rotton bor-
ough" evil and reduce the junkers'
power in the reichstag.
With regard to the first Of these,
il was pointed out today that the
German constitution specifically pro-
yides that every German soldier Is
sworn to obey every order issued by
the emperor; that amy officers are
named and promoted by the kaiser.
without review by the bundesrath or
reichstag, and that the kaiser there
fore has power to build up a per-
sonal military machine owing allegi-
ance directly to him, but not to the
German government or nation, ex-
cept through him.
The constitution also allows the
kaiser to dissolve the reichstag at
will thus causing a general election.
Should the kaiser, head of great
personal army, desire to make war
he could prorogue the reichstag and,
before it could meet again, could de-
clare war on some pretext involving
the safety of the empire, it was
pointed out today.
The power OF the bundesrath must
be curtailed, 1t was declared. This
council is named by the kaiser and
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