Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1919-02-24
President to Be Elected For
Term of Seven Years and
May Be Recalled. Through
a Popular Vote,
W0RKMEN ARE GIVEN
SPECIAL PROTECTION
Various States to Be Repre-
sented By National Council
Which IS to Meet Once Each
Year in December,

Weimar. Saturday, Fen, % (hy
the Associated Press. while the
German nationa. assembly has been
holding open meetings. several com
mittees have found time to discuss
the draft of a new German constitu-
ton as prepared by Hugo Pruess, a
member of the cabinet The draft now
has passed on second reading. The
original few Paragraphs have been
cut up and expanded into 109 para
graphs which cover every point care
fully
The new draft consists of seven d.
visions. The first division, entitled
"The nation and its component
states" provides that the national
territory shall consist Of the former
German states as well 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 di-
vision provides that the executive
power lies with the people.
The third article says the generally
accepted rules Of international law
shall be a basic part of the German
law.
Succeeding articles provide for the
defense of the nation and cover CO
lonial questions, customs, duties and
public transportation.
1t is provided the nation shall
have the right to enact laws govern
ing citizenship, charity and poverty.
the rights of citizens, crimes and
penalties, judicial matters, the right
of union, the relations between work
men and employers, the insurance of
workmen, the promotion Of labor and
trade. weights and measures, indus
try mines. insb ance, ocean traffic.
freedom of the press, freedom of or
Eanization and meeting, and the
rights end care of war veterans and
their relatives.
National Council.
The various German states will he
represented in the government by Q
"natonal 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
The second division contains eleven
articles regarding the basic rights of
the German people, Including fun
freedom of belief, religion, art and
science. Labor, as the greatest ma
tional wealth, is especially protected.
Personal freedom of dwelling and
property are guaranteed. as is secrecy
of the postal service.
The third division contains nine
teen articles and provides that de.
tails shall be determined by the ma
tonal government regarding the re-
sulation of elections. The govern
lnent 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 earli-
er and must do so if at least one
third of the members demand that It
be called. The constitution may he
changed by q two thirds vote of the
full membership of the assembly.
The election Of a president Is pros
vided for in fourth division He
must be at least thirty-five years old
and a German citizen for ten years
and will serve a seven-year term He
may be recalled through a popular
vote.
The fifth and sixth divisions touch
on finance. trade and transportation
and common postal system for the
entire nation. The seventh division
covers details Of courts and other
iurisdicial organizations.