The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1919-02-25
new GERMAN
CONSTITUTION
Draft Passed to Second
Reading by the Nation
al Assembly s
EXECUTIVE POWER
LIES WITH PEOPLE
Accepted Rules of International Law
Incorporated Special Protection is
Given Labor-President to Serve
Seventeen Term.

Seventeen Term.
WEIMAR, Feb. 20, ASSOCIATED Press.) |
the German national assembly
has been holding open meetings several
committees have found time to discuss
the draft of a new German constitution
as prepared by Hugo Pruess, member of
the cabinet.
The draft has now passed on second
reading. The original few paragraphs
have been cut up and expanded into 100
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
well as other States that may, after a
| plebiscite, desire to be incorporated with
Germany. The flag of the new republic
| shall 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 that the generally accepted rules
| of international law shall be basic part
of the German law Succeeding articles
Iproyide for the defense 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
rights of citizens. crimes, and penalties,
judicial matters, the right of union, the
relations between workmen and en-
ployers. the insurance of wor. men, the
| promotion of labor and trade. weights
land measures, industry, mines, insur-
lance, ocean traffic. freedom OF the press,
of organization, and of meeting, and the
rights and care of war veterans and their
relatives.
/ The nation is also to have the right to
enact laws concerning the regulation.
production, and distribution of economic
products for the general good and the
Iprotection and education of children and
lyouths.
The national law, it is provided, shall
lsupersede the state laws Of the various
German states, which are empowered
to combine wholly or in part for the pur-
pose of creating a more powerful mem
bership in the nation. These states are
TO be represented in the government by
Ii - dflOUal &VullNii. Jdt4f VI
the council can introduce bills, but bill
to be introduced to the assembly must
| have the assent of the council. which
however, possesses little veto power, be.
ing restricted on the lines of the British
House of Lords.
The second division contains eleven ar.
ticles regarding the basic rights of the
German people, including full freedom OF
belief, religion, art, and science. Labor
as the greatest national wealth, is es-
| pecially protected. Personal freedom OF
dwelling and property are guaranteed, 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 elec
tions. The government will meet each
year on the first Monday of Dece mb4l
at the capital.
The President. ii Is provided, can cal
the assembly earlier and must do so il
at least one-third OF the member dc
inand that ii be called a court to con
troll the voting will consist of three mem
! bers of the assembly and two member
of the national council.
The constitution may b. changed b.
"a two-thrds vote OF the full membership
of the assembly.
The election of a president is provided
for in the fourth division He must b.
80 years old and German citizen 10
ten years. His term will be seven years
and he may be recalled through a pop
ular vote.
The president cannot be a member o
the assembly. 1t is provided that tn
assembly can demand the presence be
fore it of the chancellor and the cabinet
The fifth and six divisions touch on fl
nance, trade, and Transportation. and
common postal SYSTEM for the entire na
ton. The seventh division covers de
tails of the courts and other iuridical OF
CARNATIONS, including a state court TO
the entire nation