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TITLE V. THE ARMY

ART. 118. The method of recruiting the army shall be determined by law. The laws shall also regulate the promotion, the rights, and the duties of soldiers.

ART. 119. The army contingent shall be voted annually. The law which fixes it shall remain in force for one year only, unless re-enacted.

ART. 120. The organization and the duties of the armed police shall be regulated by law.

ART. 121. No foreign troops shall be admitted into the service of the state, to occupy or to cross its territory except by virtue of law.

ART. 122. There shall be a citizen militia, the organization of which shall be regulated by law.

The officers of all grades, at least as high as that of captain, shall be chosen by the militia, with such exceptions as may be judged necessary for accountants.

ART. 123. The militia shall not be brought into active service, except by virtue of law.

ART. 124.

Soldiers shall not be deprived of their grades, honors, or pensions except in the manner prescribed by law.

TITLE VI. GENERAL PROVISIONS

ART. 125. The Belgian nation adopts for its colors red, yellow, and black, and for the coat of arms of the kingdom, the Belgian lion, with the motto, "Union Gives Strength."

ART. 126. The city of Brussels is the capital of Belgium and the seat of government.

ART. 127. No oath shall be imposed except by virtue of law. The form of the oath shall also be determined by law.

ART. 128. Every foreigner within the territory of Belgium shall enjoy protection of his person and property, except as otherwise established by law.

ART. 129. No law, ordinance, or regulation of the general, provincial, or communal government shall be obligatory until after having been published in the manner prescribed by law.

ART. 130. The constitution shall not be suspended, either in whole or in part.

TITLE VII. THE REVISION OF THE CONSTITUTION

ART. 131. The legislative power has the right to declare that a revision of such constitutional provisions as it shall designate, is in order.

After this declaration, the two Houses are ipso facto dissolved.

Two new Houses shall then be summoned, in conformity with Art. 71.

These Houses, with the approval of the King, shall then act upon the points submitted for revision.

In this case the Houses shall not deliberate unless at least two-thirds of the members of each are present, and no amendment shall be adopted unless it is supported by at least twothirds of the votes.

TITLE VIII. TEMPORARY PROVISIONS

ART. 132. For the first choice of a head of the state the first provision of Art. 80 may be neglected.

ART. 133. Foreigners established in Belgium before January 1, 1814, and who continue to reside therein, shall be considered Belgians by birth, upon condition that they declare their intention to take advantage of this provision.

Such declaration shall be made within six months after this constitution goes into effect, if the foreigners are of age, and if they are minors, within the year after attaining their majority.

This declaration shall be made before the provincial authority of the province where they reside.

It shall be made in person or by an agent having a special and authentic authorization.

ART. 134. Until further provision by law, the House of Representatives shall have discretionary power to accuse a

minister, and the Court of Cassation to try him, find the offense, and fix the penalty.

Nevertheless the penalty shall not extend farther than removal from office, without prejudice to the cases expressly provided for by the penal laws.

ART. 135. The personnel of the courts shall be maintained as it now exists, until further provision has been made by law. Such a law shall be enacted during the first legislative

session.

ART. 136. A law, passed during the first legislative session, shall provide for the manner of the first nomination of members of the Court of Cassation. 17

ART. 137. The fundamental law of August 24, 1815, and the provincial and local statutes are abolished. However, the provincial and local authorities shall retain their powers until a law shall make other provision.

ART. 138. As soon as this constitution goes into effect all laws, decrees, orders, regulations, and other instruments contrary thereto are abrogated.

SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISION

ART. 139. The National Congress declares that it is necessary to provide for the following objects, by separate laws and as soon as possible:

1) The press.

2) The organization of the jury.

3) The finances.

4) Provincial and communal organization.

5) The responsibility of ministers and of other officers. 6) The judicial organization.

7) The revision of the pension list.

8) Measures proper to prevent the abuse of cumulative office-holding.

"Art. 99 provides for subsequent appointments.

9) The revision of the laws of bankruptcy and of suspension.

10) The organization of the army, the rights of advancement and of retirement, and the military penal code.

II) The revision of the codes.

BRAZIL

Until 1815 Brazil was a Portuguese colony. The invasion of Portugal by Napoleon in 1807 forced the royal family to seek refuge in Brazil, which continued for several years to be the seat of government of the kingdom. By decree of December 16, 1815, Brazil ceased to be a colony and became an integral part of the kingdom of Portugal, Brazil, and Algarves.

In 1821 King John VI returned to Portugal, leaving his son Dom Pedro as regent. The sentiment in favor of separation had been growing for some time, and when orders were sent to Dom Pedro to return to Portugal he declared his intention of remaining in Brazil. Brazilian independence was declared, Dom Pedro became emperor on October 12, 1822, and an imperial constitution was promulgated on March 25, 1824. Portugal recognized the independence of Brazil in 1825.

The movement for the establishment of a republic began to gain strength after 1870, but was held in check by the popularity of Dom Pedro II. In 1889, however, the republicans felt strong enough for action. On November 15 of that year a bloodless revolution occurred, the republic was proclaimed, and the imperial family was sent to Portugal. The revolution was essentially a military movement and for several years Brazil remained under the control of a military party.

A republican constitution was adopted on February 24, 1891, which established a federal government, and erected the former provinces into states.

SELECT BIBLIOGRAPHY

BRAZIL. Constituição da republica dos Estados Unidos do Brazil acompanhada das leis organicas publicadas desde 15 de Novembro de 1889.

BRAZIL.

(Rio de Janeiro, 1891.)

Manual do senador. (Rio de Janeiro, 1905.) Contains the text of the constitution and of important laws relating to the government.

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