TOO MUCH FREE SPEECH.

Colonist, Volume LIV, Issue 13411, 8 May 1912, Page 3

TOO MUCH FREE SPEECH.

.The arrest and remand in custody of Torn Maun on a charge of inciting soldiers to mutiny in connection with the publication of an open letter to soldiers in the "Syndicalist" was (states a London contemporary) followed by the trial and conviction of Benjamin and Edward Buck, tho printers of the paper, and of Guy Bowman, its publisher, for their share in giving the letter publicity. Nine months' hard labour was Bowman's portion, and the brothers Buck got six months each, so if Tom Mann is found guilty of the charge preferred against him lie is likely to receive a pretty severe sentence. The terms of tho "Open Letter to Soldiers," which formed the foundation of tho indictment against the printers and publisher of the "Syndicalist," were only open to one interpretation. It was nothing loss than a manifesto to soldiers, appealing to them to disobey tho orders of thoir officers. For tho defence it was urged that the writer of the article was entitled to express the opinion that armed forces should not bo emploj-ed against unarmed citizens. But the article was much more than a criticism of tho justice of using troops in suppressing civil disorders. It was clearly addressed to soldiers, and was a direct attcnjpt to seduce thorn "from, their nllegi-inco. As the counsel for the prosecution stated, the article obviously contemplated a state of things when the strikers, rendered desperate by hunger or by tho evident failure of their attempt to hold up society, would set to work to pillage and riot. In such case-, if the police were unable to cope with the disorders, the Government would be bound to call upon tho troops to maintain order. If the "Syndicalist" appeal had pvoducc-l the desired effect, tho soldiers would then refuse to fire upon the strikers, with the result that society would soon bo reduced tea condition of absolute chaos. The strikers would be reinforced by all the criminal elements in the country. The Government would find itself deprived of all power for tho preservation of law and order. The mob would be in a position to give itself up to unrestricted license and pillaging, and since those who had anything to lose would seek to defend their property, England would be reduced to the condition of Paris on the days of the

Commune.

Some of the members on the Government benches have objected strongly to the prosecution directed against tho persons concerned in the production of the "Syndicalist." Their plea is that there should be no restriction on the expression of Syndicalist and other political views. The doctrine that freedom of speech should be respected is deeply rooted in this country, but language which may be harmless on ordinary occasions becomes very dangerous in times like the present, arid the evil that might be done by tho attempts of the "Syndicalist" to implantmutinous ideas among our soldiers is not to be measured.by the success they obtain. If their appeals failed entirely much bloodshed and suffering might be caused by the impression getting abroad among the vicious and criminal elements of society that rioting and pillaging could be indulged in with impunity.