The Omaha morning bee. [volume] (Omaha [Neb.]) 1922-1927, 1922-06-16
Rights Bill
of ofIreland.
Given Out
Draft Is Made Public on Eve
Of Election-Places State
on Same Basis as
DominiOns.
Constitution Up-to-Date

The draft OF the new Irish constitu-
ton made public tonight. on the eve
OF the Irish election, gives as the
document itself states, force Of law
10. the Anglo-Irish treaty and ex-
pressly declares that any provision
OF the constitution or any amendment
thereto or any law enacted under the
constitution which Is in any respect
repugnant to the treaty shall be void
and imperative.
The constitution thus embodies
connection with the British crown 20
already established in the treaty and
generally places the relations be-
tween Ireland and the empire on the
same basis as Canada and the other
dominions.
The constitution requires every
member of the free state parliament
10 subscribe faith and allegience to
the constitution and swear to be
faithful to the ing in virtue of the
common citizenship Of Ireland aud
Britain.
Women Get Suffrage.
The document contains ~ articles
and is considered an up-to-date in-
strument, not only granting female
suffrage, proportional representation
and referendum to the people, but
also empowering the people then-.-
seves to initiate legislation. gives
to the chamber great power with re-
spect to money bills without con-
troll from the senate, thus duplicat.
! ing the position as between the Brit
lish house of commons and the house
of lords.
| 1t exempts the free state from act.
i've participation in war without the
consent of parliament, except ia
cases of invasion, and gives the Irish
supreme court the fullest power, only
stipulating for the right of citizens
to appeal to the king in council
against the supreme court decision.
| It provides for freedom of religion
and conscience, gives free state citi-
zens full protection against the arbi-
trary power Of court-martial and ex-
tends to parliament exclusive control
over the armed forces as stipulated
in the treaty.
Oath Of Allegiance.
The oath of allegiance is provided
under Article II Of the constitution
in the following words:
II do solemnly swear true faith
and allegiance to the constitution Of
the Irish free state as by law es4
tablished and that ] will be faithful
to his majesty, King George v. and
his heirs and successors, by law and
in yirture Of the common citizenship
of Ireland and Great Britain, and
her adherence to and membership OF
, the group of nations forming the
7 British commonwealth Of nations
i Article 48 provides that except
in case Of actual invasion, the Irish
free state shall not be committed to
] active participation in any war with
out the assent of the free state par
Lament"
Court Jurisdiction.
:. Article sc gives the Irish supreme
court appellate jurisdiction. Its de-
cisions shall in all cases be final and
conclusive and shall not be reviewed
or be capable of being reviewed BY
.. any other court, tribunal or authors
ity whatsoever, provided that moth
ling in this constitution shall impair
the rights Of any person to petition
his majesty for special leave to ap-
!. peal from the supreme court to his
majesty in council or the right Of
his majesty to grant such leave.
n article 81 provides that all judges,
including those on the upreme court,
: shall be appointed by the representa-
tive OF the crown on the advice oil
the executive council.
Courts Martil Powers.
: Article 50 provides the jurisdiction
, of courts martial shall not be ex-
!. tended to or exercised over the civil
population save in time of war OF
acts committed in time of war. Such
jurisdiction can not be exercised in
any area in which civil courts are
open or capable of being held and no
Iperson shall be removed from one
. area to another for the purpose OF
creating such jurisdiction.
Article " declares laws not incon-
sistent with the constitution in force
E in the free state when the constitution
becomes operative shall continue nm,
til repealed or amended by parlia-
!, ment.
II After the constitution comes into
! operation the house Of parliament
] elected in pursuance of the free
state agreement act may for one year
!. exercise ALI the powers conferred by
the constitution in the chamber. The
, first election for the chamber shall
: be as soon as possible after the ex-
piration of such period.
Mme.Schumann-Heink Given