Page:The Rebirth Of Turkey 1923.pdf/215

 *erners may be right or we may be wrong in our views of the East, but Turkish Nationalism has thrown us a most direct challenge in the out-and-out republicanism of its Grand National Assembly. When the war ends, we shall see what we shall see.

The Grand National Assembly speedily set about the elaboration of a fundamental law which may be taken as the Constitution in embryo of the new Turkish State. It was finally adopted on June 17, 1920, and its more important clauses translate from Turkish into English as follows:

"Article I. Sovereignty belongs to the nation without reservation. The administration of the nation's sovereignty is based on the principle of the direct decision of the people.

"Article II. The executive power as well as the legislative power are concentrated in the Grand National Assembly of Turkey which alone represents the nation.

"Article III. Turkey is governed by the Grand National Assembly and its Government is entitled 'the Government of the Grand National Assembly.'

"Article IV. The Grand National Assembly is composed of members elected by the inhabitants of provinces.

"Article V. The election of members of the Grand National Assembly takes place once in every two years. The duration of membership is two years only. Members may be re-elected. The Assembly continues its session until the new Assembly is convened. In case it is impossible to hold new elections, the session of the Assembly may be prolonged for one year only. Each member of the Grand Na