Res Publica

It was reported from Constantinople that the long-expected Constitution will proclaim Turkey a Republic. Thus will appear the formal death-warrant of the House of Osman, whose place will now be taken by Mustapha Kemal Pasha as first President of the Turkish Republic.

Under the new Constitution, the Grand National Assembly at Angora, capital of Turkey, will have legislative power only; the executive power being entrusted to a Cabinet responsible to the Assembly. There will be no Upper House, but its place will be taken by a Council of State, which will perform the same functions. The members of this Council will be appointed by the President.

The proclamation of a Turkish Republic will not change materially the present form of government, which has, in effect, come as close to the Western interpretation of a republic as an Eastern country without any previous experience in popular government could be expected to do. The Constitution, as understood, debars a member of the Royal House from holding either military or civil office, and the State is separated from the Church. The National Assembly is shorn of its direct executive authority, but the Cabinet, which transplants the Council of Commissioners, will be directly responsible, not individually KS Commissioners, but collectively as a Cabinet, to the Assembly. The only innovation is the State Council to be appointed by the President.