The German People, united in all their branches, and inspired by the determination to renew and strengthen their Commonwealth in liberty and justice, to preserve peace both at home and abroad, and to foster social progress, have adopted the following Constitution. CHAPTER I Structure and Functions of the Commonwealth. _SECTION I_ COMMONWEALTH AND STATES ARTICLE 1 The German Commonwealth is a republic. Political authority is derived from the People. ARTICLE 2 The territory of the Commonwealth consists of the territories of the German States. Other territories may be incorporated into the Commonwealth by national law, if their inhabitants, exercising the right of self-determination, so desire. ARTICLE 3 The national colors are black, red and gold. The merchant flag is black, white and red, with the national colors in the upper inside corner. ARTICLE 4 The generally recognized principles of the law of nations are accepted as an integral part of the law of the German Commonwealth. ARTICLE 5 Political authority is exercised in national affairs by the National Government in accordance with the Constitution of the Commonwealth, and in State affairs by the State Governments in accordance with the State constitutions. ARTICLE 6 The Commonwealth has exclusive jurisdiction over: 1. Foreign relations; 2. Colonial affairs; 3. Citizenship, freedom of travel and residence, immigration and emigration, and extradition; 4. Organization for national defense; 5. Coinage; 6. Customs, including the consolidation of customs and trade districts and the free interchange of goods; 7. Posts and telegraphs, including telephones. ARTICLE 7 The Commonwealth has jurisdiction over: 1. Civil law; 2. Criminal law; 3. Judicial procedure, including penal administration, and official cooperation between the administrative authorities; 4. Passports and the supervision of aliens; 5. Poor relief and vagrancy; 6. The press, associations and public meetings; 7. Problems of population; protection of maternity, infancy, childhood and adolescence; 8. Public health, veterinary practice, protection of plants from disease and pests; 9. The rights of labor, social insurance, the protection of wage-earners and other employees, and employment bureaus; 10. The establishment of national organizations for vocational representation; 11. Provision for war-veterans and their surviving dependents; 12. The law of expropriation;