The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-01-22
ALL TEUTONS Equal
UNDER NEW SYSTEM
Proposed Constitution Divides
Country Into Federated
Republics.
SEVEN YEAR PRESIDENCY
Chancellor, Appointed by
Chief Executive, Resp0n-
siblc to Reichstag.

LONDON, Jan. 21.--Germany under the
draft OF the proposed new Constitution
is divided into several federated repub-
lies. These political divisions, accord
ing to wireless despatch from Berlin
to-day. include the following republics:
Berlin. heading the list OF the fed
Grated republics and including the city
and rural districts OF Greater Berlin,
with about 10000. 900 Inhabitants
Prussia, including the provinces OF
East and West Prussia and the Brom-
berg district.
Silesia. including Posen and the
Sudetes regions east of Bohemia.
Brandenburg including that part Of
Brandenburg outside of Greater Berlin,
together with Pomerania, Altmark and
the two Mecklenburgs.
Lower Saxony. including Hanover.
Scheswig Holstein. oldenburg and
Brunswick.
Westphalia. including westphalis.
schaumberg-L ippe and Pyrmont.
Hesse, including Hesse- Nassau ana
the Grand Duchy of Hesse.
Rhneland, Including the Rhine prov
inces. Bavarian pfalx and the principal
ity OF Birkenfeld.
The Erfurt Government district is to
go to Greater ThurinGia.
Vienna I'm New State.
The Federal State of German-Austria
is also TO be founded, and Vienna, like
Berlin, is to become subject to the State
Government Parts Of German Austria
are to go to Silesia, Upper Saxony or
Bavaria
II is proposed in the draft OF the pro-
aAl bat 3 ~
president Of the empire is to be elected
by the entire German people. and that
his term shall be seven years
The chancellor will be appointed by
the president and be responsible to the
chamber. He must retire II the mem
bers Of the chamber withdraw their COM
f1dence by definite vote. The proposed
constitution contains the provision that
! as soon az league OF nations shall have
been formed all treaties between Ger
many and States in the league shall be
approved by the Reichstag
The draft also provides that all Ger
| mans shall have the same right before
| the law and that all privileges and ad-
vantages OF birth. social condition or
| creed shall he abolished, according &c
| Berlin advices received here.
The free exercise of religious practice
is guaranteed within the limits OF mo-
r,
he compelled 70 take part in any re-
| leious act or ceremony or to make
known his religious convictions. 1t IL
| provided that the authorities shall have
no right to ask questions on this subject
scientific instruction. the measure pro-
vdes shall be free and accessible TO all
Germans according to their capacities
It is proposed that the present distribu-
ton Of landed property shall be modified
by a comprehensive process, with view
| to the repopulation Of the country dis
tricts. Colonization will be fostered in
districts where there has not been rs yet
a reasonable fusion OF the great, medium
sized and small properties.
| Provides for Reichstag.
| In its main feature the proposed con-
stItution, which has been drafted under
| Government auspices. provides for a
| Reichstag composed OF two chambers
one 10 he a popular chamber and the
other chosen by the states. The people
chamber shall he composed of deputies
| OF the united German people, elected by
| secret, direct and universal ballot Al
men and women over 20 years of age
may vote. The lower chamber will bt
chosen on the principle OF proportonatt
representation.
The upper chamber shall be composed
| OF representatives OF the various States
The duration OF the legislative mandate
of both chambers would be three years
The drafsers OF the bill evidently had
! in mind a highly centralized Govern
ment. with full control over most OF the
activities upon which the people are de-
pendent. II characterizes as "imperia
matter" the following;
| Foreign relations. the defence OF The