"Magna Charta"

Chang Tso-lin, ontime "King of Bandits," Super-Tuchun of Manchuria, self-styled All Highest Grand Marshal of China, potent dictator of Northern China and as much of the South as the Nationalists and his own genrals will let him have, found time last week to exercise his political astuteness. Despite the fact that he is reported to be "worried to death" over Sun Chuan-fang's drive south to recapture his beloved Shanghai -- beloved for the revenue it gave him, Marshal Chang published a mandate entitled "The Law for the Protection of Human Rights."

His warm admirers and follow ers, remindful of the $7,000,000 he has given to charities, schools, universities in Peking and his clemency in pardoning many a Chinaman languishing in jail, called this latest manifestation of Marshal Chang's will the "Magna Charta," the "Chinese Droits de l'Homme."

The document declares :

1 ) That nobody may be arrested, imprisoned or fined without due process of law.

2) That property may not be invaded, occupied, confiscated, sealed up or in any way injured without a legal warrant from competent courts.

3) That taxes may not be collected from and fines levied upon the people except by authorization of the Peking Government.

4) That property may not be commandeered without adequate compensation to the owner.

5) That prisoners must receive preliminary hearings within three days of their arrest.

6) That soldiers may not carry arms in public places when off duty.

The preamble to the mandate declares:

"The law and discipline of the land have been cast to the winds, and the strong regard the statutes as scraps of paper, while crimes against person and property go unpunished by the officers. All safeguards of human liberty have been shattered."

Observers remarked that while Dictator Chang's words were true, there was in reality no need of the new laws, for many excellent statutes remain unenforced. However, all agreed that his measure was sound, but expected that the new orders, like the old laws, would be ignored by the Marshal's favorites.

Politically, the move was seen as a bid on the part of Marshal Chang for political popularity particularly in the South, where many desertions to the Northern side might well be expected to result.

* Raki, or arrack, is a popular, potent, gin-like beverage, made from plums. When mixed with water it becomes milky and much like absinthe. It is the favorite drink of the Orient.