Scope and Aims of New Organisation Outlined at Recepti Nanking, Jan. 1.
Appropriate New Year celebra tion ceremonies were held at the Central Kuomintang Headquarters and the ational Goverament Offices this morning, when Mfr. Chu Cheng, President of the Judicial The scope and aims of the China League for Civil Rights were explained on Dec. 30 ata re: ception given by the committee of the newly-formed organisation in the China United Apartments. There was a large attendance of repre-Sentatives of the press, foreign and Chinese. "Considerable discussion {followed addresses of welcome. Mme. Sun Yatsen and Dr. Teal Yuan-pei, the matter of most_mo-anent to the majority of those pres-tent being the freedom of the press from arbitrary closure and subterranean official pressure exerted by, the Government and the Kuomin-
Mine, Sun Yatten, who is one of the: prime movers inthe League, Was unfortunately "unable to. be present, being detained at home by M'sore throats She nevertheless sent written address of welcome, which Yeas read to the meeting by Dr. Lin Yictang. after' Dr. Tsai Yuan-pel had briefly extended an official wel-ome on behalf of the Committee "Hy the nam of the China League for Civ "Hight, Text. te" 300 4 sincere and hearty welcome," si Itine, Sun's address, "Members of the press and the Civil Rights League should stand shoulder shoulder in their task of aiding in the advancement, of human society. It is therefore logical a that we should form " united front proper
find covgperate Teyally in our com to ieanlsation' free. speech, Tree. press assembly. In other words, the Givit Rights 'League champions' and defends the liberty of the press. Tt should therefore be to the interest the (press. "to support earnestly this organisation, ne important fact T should like League is. defending are human] rights, they naturally' belong to all as human beings. Consequently, the im, of the League is entirely non-Dartisan and it will strictly coneera itself with the defence of human i sh. Secondly, it is. in-jin character. In. the rights, there} should be no distinction between nationalities. 'The China League for Civil Rights will most probably strive for justice at hap pen in this country, as is to be ex ceted, but it will Tecognise no na. tional limits. 'Thirdly, the League will concern' itself both with' those who have been wrongly arrested and those who have been illegalty tried and sentenced. Furthermore, even ightly pronounced guilty and condemned may be subject to illegal treatment, such as torture and cruelty Int grisons. All these come within the: scope of the Leagu Dr. Tsai closed with the hope that the press would, by publishing news and editorials, aid in the work of! the League from an entirely nonpartisan and bunion view point.
Dr. Lin Vu-tang, who interpreted Dr, sai's speech for the benefit of rs present, added a few! own account, elaborate ing upon the aims of the League. Individual members had been eriticised in the past, he said, for their championship of certain cases which were, to say the least, pink in atmosphere, such as the' Noulens, Mr. Chen Tuchsiu, and that of the rofestor recently arrested in shing. He wished to emphasise that th ie took no account of partisan politics, and any intertion on behalf' of arrested or Persecuted persons would be in the interest of their human rights. and ensure that they were treated according to law."
'A number of questions were ask Yuan, and Mz. Lin Sen, Chairman, of the National Government, delivered addresses.
'A tone of general pessimism prevails in all the Chinese newspapers! of the capital and is expressed Teading articles in their New Year editions.
Te is almost unanimously agreed that although China was faced with the Japanese occupation of Manchuria in 1931 and the Shanghai ness an even greater catastrophe since the dispute vith breaking point, Japan, in ing year, must win a decisive vic-unable to stand the ter-
Chinese circles here fear that! Japan must not only. take Jehol shortly will also strike boldly the Peking and Tientsin area and also in the Yungtsze valley to force] China to submit to an early settle: ment of the Manchurian problem.
'All lament the fact that the Chinese" Government and public' during the past two years, in the face of such an unprecedented crisis, have failed to show any sign of readiness to face the situation quarely.
The oficial organ, the "Central Daily News," significantly declares, only three to five years to. become a conquered nation, but it will take more than on the road to stability and pros perity".
The consensus of opinion is that the country must be ready to face
.ed existence in the coming year.
greater menace to her' natio eu to lay-stress upon. The chief con-ein of this League is to assist the nosees of unknown, namd Zelendless political prisoners are over-crowding ott aals. members of the Dressy you are cognisant of the countless numbers Megat arrests and imprisonment fof our fellow citizens, the existence of secret military" teibunals—reli of the mediaeval age. Are you go-ug. all ently" to witness these outrages without a protest, or will you 'Whole-heartedly. join. in the efforts ff the League' to secure justice for the countless unfortunate ones. who have no one to defend them? 1 fest Astiong and courageous press could dlova for in establishing a current of public opinion' in favour of liberty ud. justice'
Dr. cal next spoke on the meaning of human rfhts.. Dr. Tsai Dhasieed that since the, sights the
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.