The Chinese Constitution provides for freedom of the press. Yuan Shih-kai promulgated a press law, which never passed Parliament, and therefore it is his personal opinion and not the law of the land. His purpose was to make it difficult if, not impossible 1 the press to attack his monarchical ~movement, Other usurping officials in China have utilized thi law to turn the blazing light of free publi themselves. uppers, this so-called press law will not even be repealed: it will simply cease to be as something which has no validity.
To apply this press law nywhere but in the Precincts of a frightened militarist in to encourage just those abuses for which the foreigners criticise China and for which they will not relinquish extraterritoriality. For! the Chinese Government to ply is an admi ion of lawlessness. But even this press law requires definite procedure and trial.
It gives a man a chance to defend himself.
Mr. Eugene Chen has not been charged under this He has not been tried under treated as mediaeval baron might} him over a chess game: have treated one who disagreed vith to the dungeon and off with his head."
If China continues to give the
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.