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THE CZECHOSLOVAK REVIEW

To accomplish this last task, the Czechs will have to assimilate foreign influences and to reshape foreign ideas in their own way. Naturally it is a matter of considerable importance to decide what these foreign influences are to be. It is in the interest of the Allies to see that the Latin and Anglo-Saxon influences predominate. The Czechs will see to that themselves; but it is not sufficient for the Czechs alone to make these efforts, the Allies should meet them at least half-way. This is all the more important, since the new Republic is not a community of half-educated people. On the contrary, they are versed in all technical progress and all the latest phases of scholarship. And so it is most likely that a patronising attitude on the part of half-informed American and English circles would rather weaken than strengthen the Anglo-Saxon influence. If anything is to be done, it must be done seriously and thoroughly. The Germans, though they are the natural enemies of the Czechs, were fully aware of the Czech qualities, and they accomodated their cultural policy to this fact. There is little doubt that they will adopt the same policy in the future, and will try to exercise in a friendly way as much influence as possible. Hence it is perhaps not altogether a matter of indifference to the Allies to see to it that the German influence is not allowed to remain uncontested in the Czechoslovak State.

Constitution of Czechoslovakia
Adopted by the National Assembly on February 29, approved by the President on March 5, 1920.
(Concluded.)

III. GOVERNING AND EXECUTIVE POWER.

55. Ordinances may be issued only for the purpose of carrying out a definite law and within its terms.

56. The president of the Republic is elected by the National Assembly.

He shall be a citizen of the Czechoslovak Republic, qualified to be member of the chamber of deputies and 35 years of age.

57. Election is held in the presence of the majority of the total membership of both houses, and a vote of three fifths of those present is necessary.

If two ballots result in no choice, the next balloting is limited to the highest candidates; he who receives a plurality of votes is elected. In case of tie the decision is made by lot.

Details are governed by law.

58. The term of office commences on the day, when the newly elected president makes the promise, as provided in section 65.

The term of office is seven years.

Election is held within the last four weeks of an expiring term.

No one may be elected for more than two successive terms. A person who has served as president for two succesive terms cannot be elected again, until seven years shall hav elapsed from the expiration of his last term. This provision does not apply to the first president of the Czechoslovak Republic.

The former president continues in office, until new president is elected.

59. Should the president die or resign during his term of office, a new election is held in accordance with provisions of sections 56 and 57 for a term of seven years. The National Assembly shall be convened for that purpose within 14 days.

60. Until the new president is elected (section 59), or if the president is prevented by ill-health or other cause from performing his office, his authority is exercised by the government which may entrust definite functions to its own president.

661. If the president is incapacitated or ill for more than six months (section 600), and if the government so decides in the presence of three quarters of its members, the National Assembly will elect an acting president who will serve as such, until the impediment is removed.

During the period for which a person is not eligible to be president in accordance with section 58 he cannot be acting president.

62. The election of acting president is governed by rules applying to the election of president.

63. The president of the Republic may not be at the same time member of the National Assembly. If a member of the Na-