PARTY VOTES DEPUTIES German National People’s Party 3,200,000 42 (3 women) German People’s Party 1,200,000 22 (1 woman) Centre 6,000,000 89 (6 women) Democrats 5,600,000 74 (7 women) Social Democrats 11,400,000 163 (17 women) Independents 2,300,000 22 (3 women) Other parties 500,000 9 (2 women) Besides these, troops from the Western front sent two deputies, both Social Democrats. 2.--THE PROVISIONAL CONSTITUTION OF FEBRUARY 10, 1919. The National Constituent Assembly met at Weimar February 6, 1919. It wisely avoided meeting in Berlin where it would be tempting prey for organizers of revolts and insurrections. Elected by the people the Assembly incorporated the sovereignty of the people. It was the supreme power. That power was universally accorded to it. The first question that had to be dealt with by the Assembly was that of a provisional government of Germany. It was true that a Constitution was to be adopted by the Assembly eventually; but that would be a labour of several months at least. Meanwhile it would be necessary for Germany to be governed in its internal affairs by some authority created in the spirit of democracy, one which could be represented abroad by delegates of the German people. A provisional constitution would have to be adopted, and adopted at once. On February 8 Secretary of State of the Interior Preuss submitted a draft of a provisional government of the Reich. It was only an improvisation. Commencing with January 25, 1919, a conference of more than one hundred representatives of different states met with the Minister of the Interior to consider the project of this provisional constitution. The draft presented by Preuss was approved by them. This gave assurance that no fundamental objections would be raised. On the other hand, to assure a quick vote on it the author of the project had prudently avoided all vexing questions whose immediate settlement was not indispensable; and on the questions which he had to treat he wisely did so in the spirit of compromise. Thanks to these precautions the draft by Preuss was adopted on February 10. It dealt with these four points: * * * * * 1. CONSTITUTIONAL LAWS.--The National Assembly was to retain all power in dealing with this province. Elected above all to furnish Germany with a constitution this was its essential work.