Evening star., 1938-02-21
NEW CONSTITUTION
OFFERED RUMAN|A
Carols Proposals Would
Greatly Increase Powers.
Adoption Appears Certain.
b. the Associated Press.

0S tho hSSoClabeo ITeSs.
BUCHAREST, Feb. 21.-King Carol
today offered Rumania a new consti-
tuition Of 100 articles which would
give him greatly increased powers.
Under the proposals the King would
appoint half the Senate and exercise
veto power over all legislation. Other
leading provisions would declare all
Rumanians equal, without racial dis
tinctions. and grant religious freedom,
with the Orthodox Rumanian Church
recognized as the state religion.
Several OF the constitutions pro-
posals were aimed at clipping the
wings Of Cornelius Zelea Codreanu,
whose Fascistic Iron Guard has grown
intensely authoritarian.
Fast Action Demanded.
Fast action on national approval
was demanded. The country is to
vote on the new constitution Thurs
day, after considering 1t only three
days.
Adoption Of the new constitution
was regarded as foregone conclu-
sion. Members of the election COM
mission were instructed to hold ma
ton wide mass meetings to explain its
proposals, after which the voting will
be by acclamation.
Most important provisions OF the
document were:
Heading the government would be
the King and his ministers.
Parliament would consist of two
chambers, a house of deputies and
a senate. Deputies would be elected
for six years according to member
ship In three guilds: Farmer-Labor,
Commerce and Industry, Intellectual
Professions.
The King would appoint half the
senate. the other half being chosen
by popular election for nine years
This would give the King strong in
nuence over Senate legislation. His
veto power would be absolute.
The guild provisions for composition
Of the lower house thus far were only q
basis for election Of deputies and would
not make Rumania q cooperative state
although the guild idea possibly
would be subject to expansion
There was no evidence yet that
Carol planned to govern by decree with
Parliament ratifying his acts.
No Glasses Permitted.
There would be no classes in Ru-
mania. all citizens being equal under
the law despite differences in opinion.
M Pnrno piop oft
the constitutional right to urge 4
change in the form Of government.
Capital punishment would be re-
stored in time of war, and ir. time
Of peace by order OF the cabinet Tor
attempts to assassinate the King,
members Of his family, or heads of
state.
All underground riches especially
OLD would belong half to the state
and half to the land owner.
No one could become a minister or
Premier whose family had not been
Rumanian for at least three genera
tions. (This provision was directed
at Codreanu)
All Rumanian citizens would be re-
quired to perform military service.
Trial by jury would be abolished in
all ordinary cases.
Secondary acknowledgment would
be given the Greek Catholic Church.
Freedom Of opinion would be granted.
with citizens allowed to express their
views within the law.
Only Rumania citizens would be
permitted to own property in villages.
tThis was aimed at Jewish imini-
grants.)
Although there was no mention Of
the status Of political parties, it was
believed guild elections would cramp
their influence