Page:Diplomacy and the Study of International Relations (1919).djvu/292



I. France:

'According to the French constitution, the President of the Republic negotiates and ratifies treaties with foreign Powers. These treaties are then to be communicated to the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies as soon as is compatible with due regard to the interests and security of the State. Treaties of peace and commerce, and those which affect the finances of the State, the status of persons and the rights of property of French citizens abroad, are only binding after they have been approved by a vote in the two Houses. No cession, exchange, or acquisition of territory may take place without a law be passed to authorise it.

'It may here be remarked that the Treaty of Berlin of the 13th July, 1878, was ratified by the President of the Republic, and promulgated without the approval of Parliament being asked, presumably because it was not considered as falling within any of the above-mentioned categories of treaties.

'The Chamber of Deputies appoints sixteen grand committees at the beginning of each fresh Legislature, to examine and report on questions concerning the various departments of the State with which the House is called upon to deal. One of these committees is "La Commission des Affaires extérieures et coloniales". It is elected for the whole legislative period (four years), and composed of forty-four members, designated by the various political groups in proportion to their numerical strength. This choice has to be confirmed by the Chamber at a public sitting. The committee does not examine the Budget for Foreign Affairs, as the yearly credits for that department are discussed by the General Budget Committee ("Commission du Budget"). The Foreign Affairs Committee reports to the Chamber on all questions relating to foreign policy which are submitted to it. It may summon before it any persons whose evidence may be of a nature to guide it in its deliberations, but when these persons hold an