Rumania's Constitution Rumania's new Constitution, which will be voted on
by the electorate next Thursday, gives effective dictatorial powers to King Carol and rigidly restricts opposition movements ; but it is idle to pretend that anything better is possible in Rumania at present. Decrees issued by King Carol will require ratification by Parliament ; the Jews of the Old Kingdom retain the rights of citizenship granted by the Decrees of x918 and 1919; and the appointment of a special corps of auditors gives some hope that unless themselves corrupt they may effect a purification of the political system, which is perhaps Rumania's greatest need. One clause restricting the electorate to citizens over 30 is a shrewd blow at the Iron Guard, whose greatest following is among the young. Indeed King Carol's tactics seem to have been so successful that M. Codreanu, leader of the Iron Guard, has disbanded his party, wound up all its institutions, and has gone to Rome to write a book—presumably to be Rumania's Man Kampf. A corporative element is introduced by increasing the representation of the professions in the elec- torate.. This Constitution is neither liberal nor progressive but it is better than anything that could be hoped of M. Goga or M Codreanu, and if King Carol really attempts to eradicate corruption he will confer a great benefit on his country. Above all, he is to be congratulated on having checked the Fascist and anti-Semitic tendencies in Rumania.
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