At the regular meeting of the Shanghai Rotary Club held yesterday Mr. N,. F. Allman, prominent American lawyer, gave a stirring address on "Political Rights" Mr. Allman stressed the fact that when it came t to political rights each human being had a desire to "go to hell in his own sweet way." Leaders in power in most countries take full advantage of this desire by playing it up as exalted patriotism. Despotic power moves with ease and speed and frequently does a lot of good, but all too rapidly this benevolence sloughs off and only the despotism remains.
History compels us to believe that majority rule is still the best that has been devised in the political world, according to Mr. Allman, In the establishment and maintenance of political rights and freedom there are two outstanding historical documents, namely the Magna Charta and the American Declaration of Independence. was not merely the opinion of the 56 signers. It was discussed at large throughout the American colonies and had a vast amount of popular support. It created then and there a new nation, not by force of arms but merely by the development of an idea. The fighting came later and resulted in a realization of the idea.
Freedom of speech, press and ligion is a part of the mental makeup and background of every British subject and American citizen, continued Mr. Allman. Freedom of religion has practically disappeared in most of the Continental countries and likewise freedom of speech a of the press. Touching on the freedom of the press the speaker said "you are already familiar with the censorship of the Chinese language press in Shanghai. Certain news in ihe Chinese language press in Hongkong is now being censored although I do not believe this censorship has the support of the English language press there" Mr. Allman concluded with the remark that Ireedom of the press and speech was absolutely essential to political und religious freedom.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.