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Summary

Projekt autonomii Rusi podkarpackiej (według PPC, t. IV, s. 759-761).

Memorendum by dr. Benes on the status of the Ruthenes to the south of the Carpathians whose territory forms part of the Tchecho-Slovak State

(1) The territory of the Ruthenes to the south of the Carpathians. within the whole region comprised by the frontiers delimitated by the Great Powers. Shell bear a special name to be determined on by agreement between the Tchecho-Slovak Republ ic and the Diet of the Ruthenes south of the Carpathians. (2) The country of the Ruthenes south of the Carpathians shall possess a special Diet. This Diet shall enjoy legislativepowcr inalllinguistic.scholasticandecclesiasticalquestionsas well as in all other questions which the laws of theTchecho-Slovak Republic may attribute to it in accordance with particular needs. The laws passed by this Diet shall be approved by the President of the Tchecho-Slovak Republic and counter-signed by the Govcrnor of the country of the Ruthenes. who shall be responsible to the Diet. (3) As regards all other matters. the country of the Ruthenes to the south of the Carpathians shall share in the lcgislative power of the Legislative Assembly of the Tchecho-Slovak Republic. to which Assembly it will send depu-ties elected according to the constitution of theTchecho-Slovak Republic. These deputies will however not have the right of votingupon such legislativequestions as will be attributed to the Diet of the country of the Ruthenes. (4) At the head of the administration of the country shall be placed a Governor nominated by the President of the Tchecho-Slovak Republic. This Governor shall represented the finał author ity. on the one hand in all linguistic. scholastic and ecclesiastical questions and on the other hand in matters affecting internal administration (political matters). For all other questions. the Ministers of the Tchecho Slovak Republic shall be the supremę authority. In these Ministries special Ruthenian sections shall be established. The tribunals established in the territory of the Ruthenes south of the Carpathians shall be. a part of the judical organisation of the Tchecho Slovak Republic. When, however. appeeal is madę to a higher court situated outside Ruthenian territory. the matter will be brought before a special Ruthenian Court. (5) Government oflkials Shell be appointed by the Governor up to the seventh class. Superior officials shall be appointed by the President of theTchecho-Slovak Council of Minislers. (6) The Ruthenes south of the Carpathians shall be represented upon the Council of Ministers of the Tchecho-Slovak Republic by a minister without portfolio. who shall be a native of the Ruthenian territory and shall be chosen by the President of the TchechoSlovak Republic.

In order to demonstrate the extenl of this autonomy it is necessary to give a generał outline of the organization with the Tchecho-Slovak Government pro-poses to establish in the other territories of the Republic.

The State is to be divided into Departments.

At the head of the depart mental administration there will be a Prefect who in all administrat ive questions will be subordinate only to the Central authority.

In principle for each department any appeal shall be brought before a compete Ministry. The body (Departmental Council) which shall be const ituted to assist the Prefect shall only enjoy administ rative powers and the right of supervision. This body will in no case enjoy legislative power which shall be exclusively reserved for the Central Legislative Assembly.

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