New-York tribune., 1919-02-24
TeutOn Charter
Takes i'm All of
Old Territory
Ignores Possible Peace
Losses; Paves the Way
for Future Annexations
Recall for the President
Labor Especially Protected;
Draft, in Seven Divisions,
Passes Second Reading

WEIMAR, Feb. % (By The Associated
Press).-While the German National
Assembly has been holding open meet
ings, several committees have found
time to discuss the draft of the new
German constitution as prepared by
Hugo Pruess, a member of the Cabinet.
The draft has now passed on second
reading. The original few paragraphs
have beel cut up and expanded into
100 paragraphs which cover every
point carefully.
The new draft consists of seven di-
visions. The first division, entitled
"The Nation and Its Component
States" provides that the national ter
ritory shall consist of the former Ger
man states, as we'll as other states that
may, after 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 divi-
sion provides that the executive power
lies with. the people, and the third
article says that the generally ac-
cepted rules of international law shall
be basic part of the German law.
Succeeding articles provide for the de-
fence of the nation and cover colonial
questions, customs duties and public
transportation.
1t is provided that the nation shall
have the right to enact laws governing
citizenship, charity and poverty the
ties, judicial matters, the right of
union, the relations between workmen
and employers, the insurance of work
men, the promotion Of labor and trade.
weights and measures, industry, mines,
insurance, ocean traffic, freedom of the
press, freedom of organization and
meeting and the rights and care of war
veterans and their relatives. The ma
ton shall also have the right to enact
laws concerning the regulation, pro-
duction and distribution of economic
products for the general good and the
protection and education of children
and youths.
The national law, it 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 gov
ernment by Irrational 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
1ittlo veto power, on the lines of the
British House of Lords.
The second division contains o1oven
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
service.
The third division contains nineteen
articles and provides that details shall
be determined by the national govern
ment regarding the regulation of cleo
tlons. The government will meet each
year on the first Monday of December
at the capital Of the government. The
President, it is provided, can call the
Assembly earlier and must do so if at
ieast one-third of the members demand
that 1T be called. A court to control
Ihe Votlng would consist of three mem
bers of the Assembly and two members
OF the National Council. The consti-
tuition may be changed by a wo-thirds
vote OF the full membership of the
Assembly, " '"'
Presidential Recall Provided
The election of president is pro-
yided for in a fourth division. He must
be at least thirty-fve years old and a
German citizen for ten years and will
serve seven-year term. He NAV he
recalled through popular vote. The
PRESIDENT cannot be member of the
Assembly. VIC
1t is provided that the Assembly can
demand the presence before it Of the
Chancellor and the Cabinet.
The fifth and sixth divisions touch
on hnance, trade and transportation
ana common postal system for the
The seventh division covers details
of courts and other juridical orran;ga
tions, including a state court for 'iIan tbe
entire nation. '''0