PRESS BILL PASSED.

Colonist, Volume LII, Issue 12769, 10 February 1910, Page 2

PRESS BILL PASSED.

RELEASE OF DEPORTEES. A GRAVE STEP.. [Press Association — Copykigiit.] (Received Feb D, 9.45 p.m.) Calcutta, Feb 9. The Indian Legislative Council passed the Anti-Seditious Press Bill after a seven hours' sitting. Lord Minto caused a sensation by stating that the Government had decided to release the deportees who were imprisoned fourteen months ago, on the ground that the political movement of which they were the leaders had since degenerated into an anarchical conspiracy waging war against the British and Indian communities alike. It would be long before the evil was exterminated unless both communities t worked together. He believed the re- [ lease of the deportees would encourage mutual efforts. The Indian members cheered the announcement. English opinion gravely questions the wisdom of the release, believing it to be due to pressure from Home.