The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1935-01-18
Liberal Viewpoint
by DIR. HARRY ELMER BARNES

I
THERE has been lot of scare talk about
| Il Fascism in England. This has been based
primarily on the antics of Sir Oswald Mosley
eader of the British black shirts. 1t Is probable
\ that the Mosley movement is chiefly noise and
ouster But there has recently been passed in
the British parliament an amazing act which
provides unnstakeable evidence of a trend to-
ward that type of legislation which has every
where in Europe preceded the rise of Fascsm.
I refer to the THE Indictment to Disaffection
Bill"
This law provides fine of 200 pounds and
two years imprisonment for possessing or
spreading any literature that might "seduce his
maJesty's forces from their duty or allegiance +"
Even more astonishing is the provision that high
court justices who suspect that any one has in
his possession such sedtious literature may au-
thorize the police IF necessary by force, to
search the premises or place and every person
found therein. and to seize anything found on
the premises or place or any person."
That such an act as this could have been
passed in twentieth century England seems al
most incredible. 1t not only repudiates the
| achievements for free speech and press secured
more than a 100 years ago as a result of the
battles by John Wilkes, William Goblet Will
liam Goodwin and Others but even challt nges
elementary British liberties which were sup
posedly made secure as far hack as the petition
Of rights granted in 1928 in the reign of Charles
THE British government alleges that it has
l. no intention to evoke this law except in the
case of direct and unmistakeable efforts to
spread insurrectionary appeals within the army
or navy. But there is no guarantee that any
such limits will be observed.
The inevitable effects Of the law are already
apparent in a letter sent to the Manchester
Guardian by seven Of the most important pub
fishers in England:
During the last week the proofs of a chill
] H.
Usher with letter from the printer saying that
certain marked passages could not safely be
! printed in view of the fact that the Indictment
to DiSaffecton Bill would already be law by the
time the annual appeared
THE passages in question undoubtedly con-
tain anti-war propaganda, which it is not for us
either to defend or to criticise, but it is clear
that the annual itself is written for children
and equally clear that it is not addressed to- or
| intended for, circulation among members of his
majeStys forces.
Yet We feel sure that in view of the vague
wording of the bill this incident will not be an
isolated one, and that the result of the bill as it
stands today, will be to impose severe burden
| on both printers and publishers, and in the end
to set up what will, in act be a secret, un-
| official. and most embarrassing form of censor
ship exercised by printers (who will quite nat
uraly have regard to the principle of safety
f1rstD over the publication of any literature OF
an anti-mlitariSt character"
| THE extremes to which the law might go were
l. well indicated by George Lansbury. the
leader of the Labor party: What poSSesSor of a
copy of our Savour's blessed Sermon on the
Mount would be Safe?" he asked HE might
use it to Seduce simple sailor"
The bishop of Birmingham pointed out to the
attorney general that he could not criticiSe Brit
ish policy in India without becoming liable I'M
der the act, for his criticism might have an ad-
verse effect upon the royal forces doing duty
in India.
Further, the bishops wife having in her pos
session copy Of newspaper containing the
bishops criticism, would also be liable to a fine
OF 200 pounds and two years imprisonment.
The significance of this British act has been
very well pointed out by Mr. Leo Huberman in
the Scholastic
Certainly the passage of the Sedition Bill
gives point to the argument that freedom of
speech and the press are observed only so long
as they are not dangerous. Once there is a hint
OF danger, then these traditional liberties are
swept away. That was true in our own country
in wartime, as it appears to be true in England
| TODAY"