Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, 1918, Russia, Volume I

File No. 861.00/2817

The Consul at Moscow ( Poole) to the Secretary of State

No. 9

Moscow, August 20, 1918.
[Received September 26.]

Sir: I have the honor to enclose herewith four copies of a translation of the constitution of the Russian Socialistic Federated Republic of Soviets, as it appeared in the official Bolshevik journal, the Izvestia, of July 19, 1918.¹

I have [etc.]

DeW. C. Poole, Jr.

[Enclosure—Translation]

CONSTITUTION OF THE RUSSIAN SOCIALIST FEDERATED SOVIET REPUBLIC²

SECTION I.—Declaration of the Rights of the Laboring and Exploited People

Chapter I

1. Russia is proclaimed a Republic of the Soviets of Workmen’s, Soldiers’ and Peasants’ Deputies. All the central and local authority is in the hands of these Soviets.

2. The Russian Soviet Republic is constituted on the basis of the free union of free nations, as a federation of national Soviet republics.

Chapter II

3. Setting as its main object the destruction of every kind of exploitation of one man by another, the abolishment of class distinction, the merciless suppression of exploiters, the establishment of a socialistic organization of society and the victory of socialism in all countries, the III All-Russia Congress of the Soviets of Workmen’s, Soldiers’ and Peasants’ Deputies, further decrees:

(a) In order to realize socialization of land, private holding of land is abolished and the entire agrarian fund is declared national property and is given over to the laboring people without redemption on the basis of equal use.

(b) All woods, minerals and waters of a general state significance as well as all live and immovable stock, model farms and agricultural institutions are declared national property.

(c) The Soviet law regarding labor control and a Supreme Council for National Economy is confirmed as the first step towards the entire transfer of works, mills, mines, railways and other means of production and transport into the possession of the Workmen’s and Peasants’ Republic of Soviets, for the purpose of insuring the authority of the working people over the exploiters.

(d) The III Congress of Soviets regards the Soviet law of annulment of loans made by the government of the Tsar, landowners and bourgeoisie, as the first blow to international banking and financial capital, and expresses the certainty that the Soviet authority will firmly follow this course until the absolute victory of the international workmen’s rebellion against the yoke of capital.

(e) The transfer of all banks into the possession of the Workmen’s and Peasants’ Republic is confirmed as one of the conditions towards the liberation of the working masses from the yoke of capital.

(f) In order to destroy the parasite elements of society and to organize the economy of the country, compulsory labor service is introduced.

(g) In the interest of insuring authority for the working class and to remove every possibility of the reestablishment of the authority of exploiters, the arming of the laboring class, the formation of a socialistic Red Army of workmen and peasants and the complete disarmament of the propertied classes are decreed.

Chapter III

4. Expressing its firm decision to wrench mankind from the clutches of capitalism and imperialism which, in this most criminal war, have drenched the world in blood, the III Congress of Soviets joins the Soviet authority in the policy it is carrying out with regard to the breaking off of secret agreements, the organization of the widest fraternization with the workmen and peasants of the armies at war, and the achievement of democratic peace through revolutionary measures without annexations and contributions on the basis of the self-determination of nations.

5. For the same purpose the III Congress of Soviets insists on the absolute breaking off of the barbaric policy of bourgeois civilization, which builds up the well-being of exploiters in a few chosen nations on the enslavement of hundreds of millions of the working population of Asia, the colonies in general and of small countries.

6. The III Congress of Soviets welcomes the policy of the Council of People’s Commissars, which has proclaimed the absolute independence of Finland, has commenced the withdrawal of troops from Persia and given Armenia the right to self-determination.

Chapter IV

7. The III Congress of Workmen’s, Soldiers’ and Peasants’ Deputies considers that at this moment of decisive struggle of the proletariat against its exploiters, there can be no place for the exploiters in any of the organs of government. Authority must belong entirely and exclusively to the working masses and their plenipotentiary representatives, the Soviets of Workmen’s, Soldiers’ and Peasants’ Deputies.

8. At the same time, striving towards the establishment of a really free and voluntary union, therefore a fuller and more stable one, of the working classes of all the nationalities of Russia, the III Congress of Soviets limits itself to the establishment of the fundamental points of the federation of the Soviet republics of Russia, allowing the workmen and peasants of each nationality to decide themselves at their Soviet Congress if they desire to take part in the federal government and in other federal Soviet institutions and on what conditions.

SECTION II.—General Statutes of the Constitution of the Russian Socialist Federated Soviet Republic

Chapter V

9. The essential object of the Constitution of the Russian Socialist Federated Soviet Republic, at the present transitory stage, consists in the establishment of the dictatorship of the town and village proletariat and the poorest peasants in the form of a powerful All-Russia Soviet authority for the purpose of crushing the bourgeoisie, destroying the exploitation of one man by another and the establishment of socialism which will admit of no class distinction and no monarchical power.

10. The Russian Republic is a free socialistic community of all the working people of Russia. All the authority within the bounds of the Russian Socialist Federated Soviet Republic belongs to all the working inhabitants of the country, who are united in the town and village Soviets.

11. The Soviets of provinces where there is a different mode of life and which are composed of different nationalities, may unite into autonomous provincial unions with the provincial congress of Soviets and their executive organs at the head.

These autonomous provincial unions belong to the federation of the Russian Socialist Federated Republic of Soviets.

12. The supreme authority in the Russian Socialist Federated Republic of Soviets belongs to the All-Russia Congress of Soviets and during the period between the Congresses to the All-Russia Central Executive Committee.

13. For the purpose of insuring real freedom of conscience to the laboring people, the church is separated from the state and the schools from the church, and all citizens are permitted the liberty of religious or antireligious propaganda.

14. For the purpose of insuring real freedom of opinion to the laboring people, the R.S.F.S. Republic abolishes the dependence of the press on capital and gives the workpeople and the poorer peasants all the technical and material means for the publication of newspapers, pamphlets, books and all other printed matter, and guarantees their free circulation in the whole country.

15. For the purpose of insuring real freedom of meetings to the laboring people, the R.S.F.S. Republic, recognizing the right of citizens of the Soviet Republic to organize meetings, processions, etc., places at the disposal of the workpeople and poorer peasants all premises suitable for the arrangement of meetings, with light and heat.

16. To insure real freedom of unions, the R.S.F.S. Republic, having broken down the economic and political authority of the propertied classes and having thereby removed all obstacles which until now prevented the workmen and peasants from enjoying freedom of organization and action in bourgeois society, will offer the workmen and poorest peasants every support for their organization and union.

17. For the purpose of making knowledge accessible to the working class, the R.S.F.S. Republic will make it possible for the workmen and poorest peasants to have a free general complete education.

18. The R.S.F.S. Republic considers work the duty of all citizens of the republic and proclaims its motto: “He who does not work, does not eat!”

19. For the purpose of defending the conquests of the great workmen’s and peasants’ revolution, the R.S.F.S. Republic considers the defense of the socialist fatherland to be the duty of all citizens of the republic and introduces general compulsory military service. The honorable right of defending the revolution is only given to the working class, the non-working elements being charged with different military duties.

20. Basing itself on the solidarity of the working classes of all nations, the R.S.F.S. Republic gives all the political rights of Russian citizens to foreigners residing on the territory of the Russian Republic who belong to the working class or are peasants not employing hired labor, and authorizes the local Soviets to give the right of Russian citizenship to all such foreigners without any formalities.

21. The R.S.F.S. Republic gives the right of sanctuary to all foreigners who are subject to persecution for political or religious crimes.

22. The R.S.F.S. Republic recognizing the equal rights of citizens regardless of their race and nationality declares all privileges and advantages on this basis, as well as all oppression and limitation of the rights of smaller nationalities, contradictory to the fundamental laws of the Republic.

23. Being guided by the interests of the working class as a whole, the R.S.F.S. Republic deprives different persons and groups of rights which they make use of in detriment to the interests of the socialist revolution.

SECTION III.—Construction of Soviet Authority

a. organization of central authority

Chapter VI.—Regarding the All-Russia Congress of the Soviets of Workmen’s, Peasants’, Cossack and Red Army Deputies

24. The All-Russia Congress of Soviets is the supreme authority of the Russian Socialist Federated Soviet Republic.

25. The All-Russia Congress of Soviets is composed of the representatives of the town Soviets, one deputy for every 25,000 electors, and representatives of the guberniya congresses of Soviets, one deputy for every 125,000 inhabitants.

• Remark 1: In case the guberniya congress of Soviets does not precede the All-Russia Congress, the delegates for the latter are sent directly by the uezd congresses.
• Remark 2: In case the provincial congress of Soviets immediately precedes the All-Russia Congress, the delegates for the latter may be sent by the provincial congress.

26. The All-Russia Congress of Soviets is convoked by the All-Russia Central Executive Committee not less seldom than twice a year.

27. The Extraordinary All-Russia Congress is convoked by the All-Russia Central Executive Committee on its own initiative or it the demand of Soviets of a territory comprising not less than one-third, of the whole population of the Republic.

28. The All-Russia Congress of Soviets elects not more than 200 persons to the All-Russia Central Executive Committee.

29. The All-Russia Central Executive Committee is entirely responsible to the All-Russia Congress of Soviets.

30. During the period between the Congresses the supreme authority of the Republic belongs to the All-Russia Central Executive Committee.

Chapter VII.—Regarding the All-Russia Central Executive Committee

31. The All-Russia Central Executive Committee is the supreme legislative, executive and controlling organ of the Russian Socialist Federated Soviet Republic.

32. The All-Russia Central Executive Committee directs the work of the workmen’s and peasants’ government and of all the organs of government of the Soviet authority in the country, unites and coordinates the legislative and administrative work and supervises the carrying out of the Soviet constitution and the decisions of the All-Russia Congresses of Soviets and of the central organs of Soviet authority.

33. The Central Executive Committee examines and approves projects of decrees or other propositions introduced by the Council of People’s Commissars or by different departments, and also issues its own decrees and regulations.

34. The All-Russia Central Executive Committee convokes the All-Russia Congress of Soviets to which it gives an account of its activity and presents reports on the general policy and on different questions.

35. The All-Russia Central Executive Committee forms the Council of People’s Commissars for the general administration of the affairs of the R.S.F.S. Republic and departments for the administration of different branches of government (the People’s Commissariats).

36. The members of the All-Russia Central Executive Committee work in the People’s Commissariats or carry out special commissions of the All-Russia Central Executive Committee.

Chapter VIII.—Regarding the Council of People’s Commissars

37. The Council of People’s Commissars has the general management of the affairs of the R.S.F.S. Republic.

38. For this purpose the Council of People’s Commissars issues decrees, orders, instructions and in general takes all measures necessary to the regular and quick course of state life.

39. The Council of People’s Commissars immediately informs the All-Russia Central Executive Committee of all its orders and decisions.

40. The All-Russia Central Executive Committee has the right to abolish or to veto any order or decision of the Council of People’s Commissars.

41. All orders and decisions of the Council of People’s Commissars having an important general political significance are submitted for examination and approval to the All-Russia Central Executive Committee.

Remark: Measures requiring immediate execution may be carried out directly by the Council of People’s Commissars.

42. Members of the Council of People’s Commissars are at the head of the different People’s Commissariats.

43. There are eighteen People’s Commissariats, viz.:

(a) For Foreign Affairs;

(b) For Military Affairs;

(c) For Naval Affairs;

(d) For Home Affairs;

(e) For Justice;

(f) For Labor;

(g) For Social Insurance;

(h) For Education;

(i) For Post and Telegraph:

(j) For Nationalities;

(k) For Finance;

(l) For Ways of Communication;

(m) For Agriculture;

(n) For Trade and Industry;

(o) For National Food Supply;

(p) For State Control;

(q) The Supreme Council of National Economy;

(r) For Health.

44. Under the presidency of each People’s Commissariat a college is formed, the members of which are approved by the Council of People’s Commissars.

45. The People’s Commissar has the right to make independent decisions on all questions which are subject to the administration of his Commissariat, bringing this to the knowledge of the college. In case of the college’s disagreeing with any of the decisions of the People’s Commissar, it may lodge a complaint with the Council of People’s Commissars or with the presidium of the All-Russia Central Executive Committee without placing a veto on the decision. The separate members of the college have the same right of lodging complaints.

46. The Council of People’s Commissars is entirely responsible to the All-Russia Congress of Soviets and the All-Russia Central Executive Committee.

47. The People’s Commissars and the colleges in connection with the commissariats are entirely responsible to the Council of People’s Commissars and to the All-Russia Central Executive Committee.

48. The title of People’s Commissar belongs exclusively to members of the Council of People’s Commissars, which is in charge of the general management of the affairs of the R.S.F.S. Republic, and cannot be adopted by any other central or local representatives of Soviet authority.

Chapter IX.—Regarding matters under the jurisdiction of the All-Russia Congress of Soviets and the All-Russia Central Executive Committee

49. All questions of a general state significance are under the jurisdiction of the All-Russia Congress of Soviets and the All-Russia Central Executive Committee, viz.:

(a) The approval, alteration, and addition to the Constitution of the R.S.F.S. Republic;

(b) General direction of the foreign and home policy of the R.S.F.S. Republic;

(c) The determination and alteration of the frontier line as well as the alienation of parts of the territory of the R.S.F.S. Republic or of the rights belonging to it;

(d) Fixing the limits and the competency of the Soviet provincial unions which compose the R.S.F.S. Republic, and settling disputes between them;

(e) Accepting new members into the R.S.F.S. Republic and recognizing the right of different members to leave the Russian Federation;

(f) General administrative division of the territory of the R.S.F.S. Republic and the confirmation of the provincial unions;

(g) The establishment and change of the systems of weights, measures and currency, within the territory of the R.S.F.S. Republic.

(h) Communications with foreign states, declaration of war, and conclusion of peace;

(i) Making loans, concluding tariff and trade treaties as well as financial agreements;

(j) Establishment of the basis and the general plan of the whole national economy and its different branches on the territory of the R.S.F.S. Republic;

(k) Confirmation of the budget of the R.S.F.S. Republic;

(l) Fixing of state rates and taxes;

(m) Establishment of the basis for the organization of the armed forces of the R.S.F.S. Republic;

(n) General state legislation, judiciary system and law proceedings, criminal and civil legislation, etc.;

(o) Appointment and dismissal both of separate members of the Council of People’s Commissars as well as of the entire Council of People’s Commissars, and also the approval of the Chairman of the Council;

(p) The issue of general regulations regarding the acquirement and the forfeiting of the right of Russian citizenship and the rights of foreigners on the territory of the republic;

(q) The right of granting general or partial amnesty.

50. Besides the above-enumerated questions, all such as the All-Russia Congress of Soviets and the All-Russia Central Executive Committee consider subject to their decision, are within the jurisdiction.

51. The following are within the exclusive jurisdiction of the All-Russia Congress of Soviets:

(a) The establishment, addition to, and alteration of the basis of the Soviet Constitution;

(b) Ratification of peace treaties.

52. Decision of questions pointed out in points c and h of Article 1, are only within the competence of the All-Russia Central Executive Committee in case the convocation of the All-Russia Congress of Soviets is impossible.

b. organization of local authority

Chapter X.—Regarding the Soviet congresses

53. Soviet congresses are formed as follows:

(a) Provincial Soviet congresses are formed of representatives of town Soviets and uezd congresses, reckoning 1 deputy for every 25,000 inhabitants, and from the towns 1 deputy for every 5,000 electors, but not more than 500 delegates for the whole province, or of representatives of guberniya Soviet congresses, who are elected in the same way, in case this congress should immediately precede the provincial congress.

(b) Guberniya Soviet congresses are formed of the representatives of town Soviet and volost Soviet congresses reckoning at the rate of 1 deputy for every 10,000 inhabitants, but from the towns at the rate of 1 deputy for every 2,000 electors, but not more than 300 deputies for the whole guberniya, and in case the uezd congress of Soviets immediately precedes the gubemiya congress, the elections take place exactly in the same way by the uezd congress and not by the volost congress.

(c) Uezd Soviet congresses are formed of the representatives of village Soviets, reckoning 1 deputy for every 1,000 inhabitants, but not more than 300 deputies for the whole uezd.

(d) Volost Soviet congresses are formed of representatives of all village Soviets of the volost, reckoning 1 deputy for every 10 members of the Soviet.

• Remark 1: At uezd congresses representatives of town Soviets take part where the population does not exceed 10,000 people; village Soviets of districts with fewer than 1,000 inhabitants unite in electing deputies for the uezd congress.
• Remark 2: Village Soviets having fewer than 10 members each send one representative to the volost congress.

54. Soviet congresses are convoked by the executive organs of Soviet authority of the district (the executive committees) either at their own initiative or at the demand of Soviets of districts which number not less than one-third of the whole population of the given district; Soviet congresses of the province are convoked at least twice a year, guberniya and uezd congresses once in three months and volost congresses once a month.

55. The congress of Soviets (provincial, guberniya, uezd, volost) elects its executive organ—the Executive Committee, the number of whose members should not exceed: (a) From the province and guberniya, 25; (b) from the uezd, 20; (c) from the volost, 10. The Executive Committee is entirely responsible to the congress of Soviets by which it has been elected.

56. Within the bounds of its jurisdiction, the congress of Soviets is the supreme authority of the district; during the interim of congresses this authority is represented by the Executive Committee.

Chapter XI.—Regarding the Soviets of Deputies

57. Soviets of Deputies are formed in the following places:

(a) In towns: reckoning 1 deputy for every 1,000 inhabitants, but not fewer than 50 nor more than 1,000 members.

(b) In villages (Cossack villages, hamlets, Caucasian villages, towns having a population of less than 10,000 people): reckoning 1 deputy for every 100 inhabitants, but not fewer than 3 and not more than 50 deputies for each village.

The term of office of the deputies is three months.

Remark: In those village districts where it will be considered possible, the questions of administration will be directly decided by a general meeting of the electors of the given village.

58. For current affairs the Soviet of Deputies elects from its members an executive organ (the Executive Committee) numbering not more than 5 persons in villages, and in towns at the rate of 1 for every 50 members, but not fewer than 3 and not more than 15 (Moscow and Petersburg not more than 40). The Executive Committee is entirely responsible to the Soviet it has been chosen by.

59. The Soviet of Deputies is convoked by the Executive Committee either at its own initiative or at the demand of not less than one half of the members of the Soviet, but not rarer than once a week in towns and twice a week in villages.

60. Within the bounds of its jurisdiction, the Soviet is the supreme authority of the district, and in cases provided by paragraph 57 (remark) this authority is represented by the general meeting of electors.

Chapter XII.—Regarding the local jurisdiction of Soviet authority

61. The provincial, guberniya, uezd and volost organs of Soviet authority and also Soviets of Deputies have the following as the object of their activity:

(a) The execution of all regulations of the corresponding supreme organs of Soviet authority;

(b) Taking all measures for the improvement of the given territory in a cultural and economic respect;

(c) Decision of all questions having a purely local significance (for the given territory);

(d) Uniting all Soviet activity within the bounds of the given territory.

62. The congresses of Soviets and their executive committees have the right of controlling the actions of the local Soviets (i. e., provincial congresses have the right of controlling all the Soviets of the given province, the guberniya congresses the actions of the guberniya Soviets, with the exception of town Soviets which do not compose part of the uezd congresses, etc.); the provincial and guberniya congresses and their executive committees, besides this, have the right of abolishing the decisions of the Soviets of their district, notifying the central Soviet authority of this in the most important cases.

63. In order to carry out the duties imposed on the organs of Soviet authority, corresponding divisions with chiefs in charge of each division are formed in connection with the Soviets (town and village) and the executive committees (of provinces, guberniyas, uezds and volosts).

SECTION IV.—Active and Passive Elective Franchise

Chapter XIII

64. The right of electing and being elected into the Soviets is enjoyed by the following citizens of both sexes of the Russian Socialist Federated Soviet Republic, irrespective of their religion, nationality, place of domicile, etc., who have attained the age of 18 by the day of the election:

(a) All persons obtaining their means of livelihood by productive and publicly beneficial labor, as well as those persons engaged in domestic economy which affords the former the possibility of productive labor; for instance, workmen and employees of all categories, engaged in industry, trade, agriculture, etc., peasants and Cossack peasants, who do not engage hired labor for the sake of profit;

(b) Soldiers of the Soviet army and navy;

(c) Citizens belonging to categories enumerated in points (a) and (b) of Article 64, who have in any way lost their capacity for work.

• Remark 1: Local Soviets may lover the present age limit with the approval of the central authority.
• Remark 2: Out of the number of persons who are not Russian citizens, those also enjoy the active and passive elective right who are indicated in Article 20. (Section II, Chapter V.)

65. The following persons have not the right to elect or to be elected, even if they should belong to one of the above-enumerated categories:

(a) Persons employing hired labor for the purpose of gaining profits;

(b) Persons living on unearned income such as interest from capital, revenue from enterprises, income from property, etc.;

(c) Private traders, trade and commercial agents;

(d) Monks and ecclesiastical servants of churches and religious cults;

(e) Employees and agents of the former police, special gendarme corps and the secret police as well as members of the former reigning house of Russia;

(f) Persons rightfully recognized as mad, as well as persons under guardianship;

(g) Persons sentenced for covetous and defamatory crimes for the term fixed by law or the verdict of the court.

Chapter XIV.—Regarding elections

66. Elections take place according to an established order on days appointed by the local Soviets.

67. Elections take place in the presence of the election commission and a representative of the local Soviet.

68. In cases when the presence of the representative of Soviet authority is technically impossible, he is replaced by the president of the election commission, and in case of his absence by the president of the election meeting.

69. A report on the course and result of elections is drawn up which is signed by members of the election commission and the Soviet representative.

70. The exact order of election procedure, as well as the participation of professional and other labor organizations, is determined by the local Soviets in accordance with instructions from the All-Russia Central Executive Committee.

Chapter XV.—Regarding control and abolishment of elections and the recalling of deputies

71. All records in connection with elections are sent in to the appropriate Soviet.

72. To verify elections the Soviet appoints a mandate commission.

73. The mandate commission informs the Soviet of the result of the verification.

74. The Soviet decides the question of the approval of disputed candidates.

75. In case of any candidate’s not being approved, the Soviet appoints new elections.

76. In case the whole election has been incorrectly carried out, the question of annulling the election is decided by the highest organ of Soviet authority.

77. The last resort for cassation of Soviet elections is the All-Russia Central Executive Committee.

78. Electors who have sent a deputy to the Soviet have the right to recall him at any time and to have a reelection, in accordance with general regulations.

SECTION V.—Budget Law

Chapter XVI

79. The financial policy of the Russian Socialist Federated Soviet Republic in its present transitory stage of the dictatorship of the laboring classes, furthers the fundamental aim of expropriating the bourgeoisie and preparing conditions for the general equality of citizens of the republic in the sphere of production and distribution of wealth.

For this purpose it places at the disposal of the organs of Soviet authority all the necessary means for satisfying the local and general state demands of the Soviet Republic, not stopping before the violation of the right of private property.

80. The state revenue and expenditure of the Russian Socialist Federated Soviet Republic are united in the general state budget.

81. The All-Russia Congress of Soviets or the All-Russia Central Executive Committee determines what taxes and income shall be paid into the general state budget, and what shall be paid into the local Soviets, at the same time fixing the limits of taxation.

82. The Soviets impose rates and taxes exclusively for the requirements of local economy. General state requirements are paid from the funds issued by the state exchequer.

83. No sum can be expended out of the funds of the state budget without its being entered in the government roll of revenue and expenditure or by special regulation of central authority.

84. To satisfy the requirements having a general state significance, the appropriate People’s Commissariats vote the necessary credits from the state exchequer which are placed at the disposal of the local Soviets.

85. All credits allotted out of the state exchequer for the Soviets, as well as credits approved for local needs, must be expended for their direct purpose and cannot be used for satisfying any other requirements without a special regulation of the All-Russia Central Executive Committee and the Council of People’s Commissars.

86. Local Soviets draw up half yearly and yearly estimates of their revenue and expenditure for local needs. The estimates of village and volost Soviets and Soviets of towns, which take part in uezd congresses, as well as the estimates of uezd organs of Soviet authority, are correspondingly approved by the guberniya and provincial congresses or their executive committees; the estimates of town, guberniya and provincial organs of Soviet authority are approved by the All-Russia Central Executive Committee and the Council of People’s Commissars.

87. For expenses not provided for by the estimates, or in eases when the estimates have been drawn up for an insufficient sum, the Soviets ask for additional credit from the appropriate People’s Commissariats.

88. In case of the insufficiency of local means for satisfying local requirements, the necessary subsidies and loans out of the funds of the state exchequer for covering the immediate expenses are granted to the local Soviets by the All-Russia Central Executive Committee and the Council of People’s Commissars.

SECTION VI.—The Coat of Arms and the Flag of the Russian Socialist Federated Soviet Republic

Chapter XVII

89. The coat of arms of the Russian Socialist Federated Soviet Republic consists of a golden sickle and hammer, the handles crossed and pointing downward, on a red background in rays of sunlight, surrounded by a wreath of wheat ears and bearing the inscription:

(a) The Russian Socialist Federated Soviet Republic,

(b) Proletariat of all countries, unite.

90. The commercial, naval and military flag of the Russian Socialist Federated Soviet Republic consists of a red flag with the letters R. S. F. S. R. in the top left-hand corner near the flagstaff, or bearing the inscription, Russian Socialist Federated Soviet Republic.

President of the V All-Russia Congress of Soviets and the All-Russia
Central Executive Committee:

Y. Sverdlov

Members of the Presidium of the All-Russia
Central Executive Committee:

T. E. Teodorovich

F. A. Rozin

A. P. Rosengoltz

A. H. Mitrofanov

K. G. Maximov

Secretary of the All-Russia Central Executive Committee:

V. A. Avanesov

1. The constitution was adopted July 10, 1918; a later constitution of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics was adopted July 6, 1923.
2. The translation has been left substantially in the form in which it was received. A few brief omitted passages have been supplied and a few verbal corrections made upon comparison with the Russian text issued July 19, 1918, as No. 151, “Izvestii Vseros. Tsentr. Ispoln. Komiteta” (Izdatelstvo Vseros-siiskago Tsentralkago Ispolnitelnago Komiteta Sovetov R.,S.,K. i K. Deputatov, Moscow), and the translation published by the Department of Foreign Political Literature of the People’s Commissariat for Foreign Affairs.