The publication of the text of the Constitution of the new free State of Fiume, whose independence is to be officially proclaimed. on September 12, takes us another step forward in the vexed question. The D'Annunzio party apparently reposed certain hopes on the outcome of the visit of the Fiume delegation to the Italian Government, hut from what I may gather of the result of the interviews, Signor Giolitti's Cabinet declined to interest themselves in the matter of the proposed independence. The delegation has turned to Fiume somewhat di appointed, and to-day we read that D'Annunzio will leave the city as soon as the independence has been officially declared. This report, however, has not yet been confirm "The Italian Regency of the Camara," as the official title of the new statelet runs, is expressly stated not to be cither republic or kingdom, but 'a regency holding Fiume, comprising the old corpus separatum, the railways and port, in a kind of trust for Italy, Reports as to the nature of the Constitution will have reached you. I¢ is, as was anticipated, a mixture of the old Italian Commune and modern Syndicalisui.
Tre Lirerary Tovcu.
Of course, it is essentially a& literary document, with D'Annunzio's imprint in every line of it. The Constitution is very long. In many ways it is a remarkable draft—roughly speaking, a mixture of poetry and good sense. All the liberties are guaranteed, including liberty of speech and Fress, it violability of domicile, habeas corpus, ete. Physical education for, both sexes is part of the programme of the new State. One of the curiosities of the constitution is the number of moral maxims and moral exhortations with which it is filled. For instance: "Life is beautiful, and allows the man relade by liberty to live it severely and magnificently." Another: "The complete man is he who knows to shape his worth each day."
The citizens are divided into corporations or guilds. The legislative power is centred in two bodies called "The Council of the Worthies" (Consoligo degu Ottimt) and the "Provisory Council." The executive power is in the hands of the seven "Rectors." The "Roctor" for Foreign Affairs is im some way the Premier—<primus tn~ ter pares he is called. In case of danger to the State, the Commander, or military chief can take all the executive power into his own hands after roanest by the National Council, which is compassed of the two legislative bodies.
The last paragraph of the Con~ stitution is devoted to accentuat~ me the importance of music im the free State.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.