The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-02-24
GERMAN PRESIDENT
SUBJECT TO RECALL
Proposed Constitution Also
Provides Seven Year Term
Passes Second Reading.
nv the Associated Press.

WEIMAR. Feb. % (delayed) While
the German National Assembly has been
holding open meetings several commit
tees have found time to discuss the draft
OF new German constitution as pre-
pared by Hugo Pruess, n member of the
Cabinet. The draft has now passed on
second reading. The original few para
graphs have been cut up and expanded
into 109 paragraphs. which cover every
point carefully.
The new draft consists OF seven divi-
sions. The first division. entitled THE
Nation and Its Component States" pro-
vides that the national territory shall
consist of the former German States as
we'll as other States that may. after a
plebiscite, desire to be incorporated with
Germany. The flag OF the new republic
will be black. red and gold.
The second article OF the first division
provides that the executive power lies
with the people and the third article says
ternational law shall be a basic part Of
the German law. Succeeding articles
provide for the defence OF the nation and
cover colonial questions. customs duties
and public transportation.
1t is provided that the nation will
have the right to enact laws governing
citizenship charity and poverty, the
rights or citizens. crimes and penalties
judicial matters. the right OF union, the
relations between workmen and employ
ers, the insurance OF workmen. the pro-
motion OF labor and trade. weights and
measures. industry, mines. insurance.
ocean traffic. freedom or the press, Of
organization and Of meeting, and the
rights and care of war veterans and
their relatives. The nation also shall
have the right to enact laws concerning
the regulation. production and distribu-
ton Of economic products for the general
good and the protection and education Of
children and youths.
The national law. II Is provided. shall
supersede the State laws OF the various
| German States, which are empowered
| TO combine wholly or in part for the
| purpose of creating more powerful
membership In the nation. These States
will be represented In the government by
National Council" Each member of
the Council can introduce bills. but a
bill to be introduced TO the Assembly
| must have the assent Of the Council.
| which however, possesses little veto
power on the lines Of the British House
| OF Lords
The second division contains eleven
articles regarding the basic rights OF
| the German people, including full free
| dom of belief, religion. art and science.
| Labor as the greatest national wealth
| is especially protected. Personal free
| dom of dwelling and property are guar
/ anteed,> as IS secrecy of the postal ser
! vice
| The third division contains nineteen
| articles and provides that details shall
be determined by the national Govern
| ment regarding the regulation of cleo
| tons. The Government will meet each
| year on the first Monday Of December I
| the capital of the Government The
| President, II Is provided. can call the
Assembly earlier and must do so IL at
| least one-third OF the members demand
| that IL be called. A court TO control the
voting would consist of three members
OF the Assembly and two members Of
the National Council. The constitution
| may be changed by a two-thlrds vote
OF the full membership of the Assembly.
The election of President is pro-
| vided for in n fourth division. He must
| be thrty-hve years old and n German
| citizen for ten years and will serve a
seven year term. He may be recalled
| through n popular vote. The President
| cannot be a member OF the Assembly.
| demand the presence before II OF the
| Chancellor and the CAbinet
The fifth and sixth divisions touch
on finance, trade and transportation ana
a common postal system for the entire
nation. The seventh division covers de-
tails OF courts and other juridcal or.
! ganizations, including a State court for
| the entire nation.