New-York tribune., 1919-08-18
New Constitution Cuaran-
tees Equality TO Citizens
in Ballot and in Enjoy
ment of Family Life
Declares State Republic
Document Goes Into Effect:
EbertTakes Oath of Office
There,,nder on Aug. 20

BERLIN, Aug. II (By The Associated
Press).-The new German constitution,
which was passed by the National As
sembly after months of debate and
which became effective this week, is
divided into two main parts-the "com-
position and ties Of the empire" and
"the basic rights and basic duties Of
Germans" The first part consists Of
seven sections and the second of five.
President Ebert will take the oath un-
der the new constitution on August 20.
The preamble to the constitution be-
gins as follows:
"The German people, united in its
branches and inspired by the will to
renew and strengthen its empire in
freedom and justice. to further inner
and outer peace and social advance, has
voted this constitution"
international Law Recognized
Section l declares the German en-
pre is republican state, sovereignty
being based in the people. 1t estab-
fishes the imperial coors as being
black, red and gold, and states that the
generally recognized rules Of inter
national law vii lbc held as binding on
the empire
Individual states will have lcgisla-
tive rights, but the imperial law will
supcrsedc that of individual states
Each state must have a liberal consti-
tuition, with legislature elected by
general equal and secret ballot by all
Germans, men and women.
The constitution lays down rules for
altering the empire tcrritorially, pro-
vding that rlebescites shall be held
In districts affected.
Tho Poichcta curoreoNnc thn tnO,-
porary National Assembly. 1t will be
elected for q term Of four years. The
President will be chosen by the entire
German people. instead Of by the As
sembly. and will hold Office for term
of seven years. He will represent the
empire under international law. will
make treatics and accrcdit diplomats.
Declarations of war or peace must
be proclaimed by the Imperial Reichs-
tag, and treaties with foreign states
must be accepted by the Rcichstag.
Reichstag Has War Veto Power
The President. as commander of the
chief defence forces of the empire.
can employ armed forces for quclling
disturbances, or may send them against
states which do not fulfil their duties.
but iii doing so must notify the Reichs-
tag, which is given the power of veto
lie ! IcSlOcHLS OINtjS lHuSl De COufi-
tersigned by Chancellor or the I'm
perial Minister. whose department is
affected. The President has the right
to pardon criminals, but the granting
of amnesty must be voted by the
Reichstag.
The Chancellor will occupy posi-
ton analogous to that Of Nice-Prcsi-
dent. He and the rest of the ministry
viii be appointed by the President
The Chancellor will determine the en-
pire's foreign policy, bear responsible
ty for the Cabinet, and in case of a
tie vote in the ministry, viii have the
deciding ballot. The Reichstag is
given the right to impcach the Presi-
dent, Chancellor and Ministers. Charges
upon which impeachment proceedings
are based must bear the names of
100 members of the Rcichstag before
the case can be brought before the
court
Votes in the Council
The Imperial Council will be COM