Page:The Czechoslovak Review, vol4, 1920.pdf/175

The constitution determines through what organs the sovereign people adopt laws, carry them out and find justice. The constitution also sets the limits which these organs may not exceed, so that the constitutionally guaranteed rights of citizens may be protected.

2. The Czechoslovak State is a democratic republic at the head of which is an elected president.

3. The territory of the Czechoslovak Republic forms an unitary and indivisible whole, the frontiers of which may be changed only by fundamental law.

An indivisible part of this whole, on the basis of voluntary union in accordance with the treaty between the Allied and Associated Powers and the Czechoslovak Republic in Saint-Germain-en-Laye Semptember 10, 1919, is the autonomous territory of Carpathian Russia which will receive the widest autonomy compatible with the unity of the Czechoslovak Republic.

Carpathian Russia has its own diet which elects its own officers.

The diet of Carpathian Russia is competent to make laws in matters of language, instruction, religion, local administration, as well as in other matters which may be assigned to it by the laws of the Czechoslovak Republic. Laws adopted by the diet of Carpathian Russia and signed by the president of the Republic are proclaimed in a separate series and shall also be signed by the governor.

Carpathian Russia shall be represented in the National Assembly of the Czechoslovak Republic by the proper number of deputies and senators in accordance with Czechoslovak election laws.

At the head of Carpathian Russia stands governor appointed by the president of the Czechoslovak Republic upon nomination by the government; he shall be responsible also to the diet of the Carpathian Russia.

Public servants of Carpathian Russia shall as far as possible be taken from its own population.

Details, especially the right to vote and to be elected to diet, are regulated by special enactments.

The law of National Assembly, determining the boundaries of Carpathian Russia, shall form a part of the constitution.

4. Citizenship of the Czechoslovak Republic is one and unitary.

Rules governing the acquiring of citizenship, its effects and its loss are determined by law.

A citizen or subject of a foreign state may not at the same time be citizen of Czechoslovak Republic.

5. Prague is the capital of the Czechoslovak Republic.

The colors of the Republic are white, red and blue.

Coat of arms and flags are prescribed by laws.

6. Legislative authority for the entire territory of the Czechoslovak Republic is exercised by the National Assembly which consists of two houses: chamber of deputies and the senate.

Both houses meet regularly in Prague. In cases of absolute necessity they may be called to meet temporarily in some other place in the Czechoslovak Republic.

7. Legislative and administrative power of land diets is abolished.

Unless a law adopted by the National Assembly provides otherwise, it applies to the entire territory of the Czechoslovak Republic.

8. The chamber of deputies consists of 300 members, elected by general, equal, direct and secret franchise in accordance with the principle of proportionate representation. Elections take place on Sundays.

9. The right to vote for members of the chamber of deputies belongs to all citizens of the Czechoslovak Republic without distinction of sex who are 21 years of age and comply with other requirements of the fundamental law governing elections to chamber of deputies.

10. Eligible are those citizens of the Czechoslovak Republic without distinction of sex who are 30 years of age and comply with other requirements of the fundamental law governing elections to chamber of deputies.

12. Details of the exercise of right to vote and election rules are contained in the law governing elections to chamber of deputies.

13. The senate consists of 150 members, elected by general, equal, direct and secret franchise in accordance with the principle of proportionate representation. Elections take place on Sundays.

14. The right to vote for members of the senate belongs to all citizens of the Czecho-