MURDER CAMPAIGN.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 736, 8 February 1910, Page 5

MURDER CAMPAIGN.

FIGHTING IT BY RESTRICTIONS ON THE PRESS. . IS ' NEWSPAPER FREEDOM BEING VIOLATED? By Telejrraph—Press A6sooiatlon—Copyrinht. Calcutta, February S. Sir Horhort Risley,- Home Seorotary ■ti the Government: of, India,. haa submitted to the Viceroy's Council a Press Bill ' enabling . tho local Governments without prosecutions $o" suppress newspapers which are misohiovous, though not technically,.seditious,.' -: . ' In introducing, the measure the Home Secretary gave a/ startling picture with details of the newspapers': anti-British propaganda among the youth from whom the great body of: civil* servants of India was. drawn, and the manner .in which peaceful villages were invaded by preaoh. ers of political murder and sedition. Sir Herbert added:— "Wo are confronted, by a murderous conspiracy. Newspapers ataTted hereafter must make a, deposit of £333. . Existing journals! will be exempt, unless they offend. There will be no:c,ensorsliips;': but Customs and postal; authorities will" be entitled to .search in connection with suspected, .matter, and' the; deposit will be forfeited; on. a ■ repetition of the ofioncc, unless an appeal to tho High Court is .successful," '

PRESS OPtNIONS. A TONE OF DOTJBT IN THE ENGLISH ' 'LIBERAL PAPERS. DiNGER OP DRIVING TROUBLE • TJNDERGROTJND. London, February 6. . Tho • "Daily Chronicle," commenting upon tho Press BilJ introduced into the Indian Council, urges that care should be, taken in the., definition of offences like attempts Ito excite racial: o|ass, or religious animosity awl hatred. The .paper: aijdais - : y "Sit Herbert Risley's account' of a widespread anarohica] propaganda is very striking. ' When incendiary r articles are part and pared of-murderous acts, it is, as Lord Morley ; said, 1 moonshine: to talk heroic , about the! freedom of . the press." The "Daily News',' sayß:—'"No -Indian editor, will'bo able to print a tingle adverse .commentupon- .the administration of the • Government's' policy lor officials' actions.. .If ■ revolution, is - dnven under-' ground, the peril will ba incalculable.'" • CONFLICTING PRESS VIEWS IN INDIA. .. Calcutta, February 6. - The Allahabad; '"Pioneer"- - says Sir HerRisley's indictment: is the strongest possible condemnation' of a ' Government which has allowed: the mischief of corruption of the: publio mind to reach the state: described in tho Bill, 1 .i . . . ■ - The native paper "Hindu," published at. Madras, declares that tho- innovation : now : sought by : the Bill-'of 'execu-' tive interference in the discharge of the legitimate functions of the press is - a gross infrragement of the rights of the people..," x :-f.l; Anglo-Indian newspapers warmly 1 sup-' : port the Bill, and: deny: that a, single bona-fide; liberty will bo assailed; :