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FRANCE.
Constitution and Government.
I. Central.
Since the overthrow of Napoleon III. on September 4, 1870, France has been under a Republican form of government, confirmed on February 25, and July 16, 1875, by a constitutional law, which has been partially modified in June 1879, August 1884, June 1885, and July 1889. It vests the legislative power m the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate, and the executive in the President of the Republic and the Ministry.
The President is elected for seven years, by an absolute majority of votes, by the Senate and Chamber of Deputies united in a National Assembly, or Congress. He promulgates the laws voted by both Chambers, and ensures their execution. He selects a Ministry from the two Chambers, but may, and sometimes does, choose ministers who are not members of either Chamber {e.g. a general as Minister for War, an admiral as Minister of Marine, a civilian as Minister for Foreign Affairs) ; he appoints to all civil and military posts, has the right of individual pardon, and is responsible only in case of high treason. The President concludes treaties with foreign Powers, but treaties which affect the area of France or of French colonies must be approved by the Legislature, and he cannot declare war without the previous assent of both Chambers. Every act of the President has to be countersigned by a Minister. With the consent of the Senate he can dissolve the Chamber of Deputies. , In case of vacancy, the two Chambers united immediately elect a new President.
President of the Repuhlic. — M. Raymond Poincart ; born 1858 ; elected President, January 17, 1913.
The Ministers or Secretaries of State, the number of whom varies, are usually, but not necessarily, members of the Senate or Chamber of Deputies. The President of the Council (Premier) chooses his colleagues in concert with the President of the Republic. Each Minister has the direction of one of the great administrative departments and each is responsible to the Chambers for his acts, while the Ministry as a whole is responsible for the general policy of the Government.
The Ministry consists of the following members, March 21, 1913 : —
Prime Minister and Minister of Public Instruction. — M. Barthou.
Minister of Justice. — M. Batier.
Minister of the Interior. — M. Klotz.
Minister of War. — M. Etienne.
Minister of Marine. — M, Baudin.
Minister of Foreign Affairs. — M. Stephen Pichon.
Minister of Finance. — M, Buonont. .
Minister of Colonies. — M. Jean Morel.
Minister of Agriculture. — M. CUmentel.
Minister of Posts and Telegraphs. — M, Masse.
