The Shadow of Great Britain

Dalman emphasized that he was unwilling to interfere in Britain’s internal affairs, but still pointed out that any actions taken in the name of maintaining order, bypassing the Judge, Jury, and public trial, contradict the essence of the spirit of Liberalism.

The linguists, the Green Brothers, spoke little, but when facing reporters’ questions, the elder Jacob still expressed subtly: ”How a country treats its most remote province often reveals its true character.”

And his brother, the esteemed Professor William Grimm, added: ”We come from a country negotiating with reactionary regimes. But even there, we still vow to uphold the boundary between law and power. As for a country proud of the Great Charter, I would only say, the world is watching.”

History Professor Gevinus even mentioned historical parallels in this regard: ”The decline of the Roman Empire did not begin with the barbarians but with local Governors beginning to disregard Roman law and abuse military power. Britain is one of the most important constitutional countries in the modern world. If the British Government allows the colony to exhibit such tendencies, the risks are naturally not to be underestimated.”

”Politics and Emotions: Observations on Yesterday’s Pier Clamor”

Although the scene at Thames Pier was spectacular yesterday, there were also several concerning aspects.

Thousands of citizens were driven by momentary dramatic scenes rather than a calm judgment of the essence of events.

The act of the panel saluting a certain police officer was certainly eye-catching but should not be expanded into a politically significant ”ceremonial oath.”

Britain’s hospitality is certainly worth pride, yet we should remain cautious not to let internal affairs be exploited by external disputes; the Government should try to avoid letting emotions become the basis of policy.

”Sir Arthur Hastings: Colonial Government must remind themselves that they are enforcing British laws, not military management policies”

Yesterday evening, our reporter briefly interviewed Police Commissioner Committee Secretary-General Sir Arthur Hastings at White Hall, with the topic revolving around the brewing colonial crisis in Canada.

Sir Arthur expressed that he was unwilling to get involved in political disputes, but from the perspective of police and order, certain principles should be consistent across the entire Empire.

Sir Arthur pointed out: ”When executing arrests, the local Sheriffs and colonial militias in Canada must remember an iron rule: any detention without Judge review is a desecration of the spirit of British Constitutional governance. Even in border areas, it is strictly forbidden for Officers to temporarily serve as Magistrates. The recent practices observed by the colonial Government, authorizing local garrisons to blockade roads, preventing ordinary citizens from crossing town borders at will, are unimaginable in London. Even during the worst days of British riots and cholera, we did not allow soldiers to implement long-term street blockades.”

Additionally, Sir Arthur severely criticized the recent measures taken by the Canadian colonial Government to implement night arrests unit by unit and directly called it against British traditions, treating entire communities as potential suspects, an act of disrespect to all law-abiding citizens. He stressed that if the Empire maintains legal administration in London, yet allows colonies in emergencies to emulate Prussian Constitutional Soldier methods, then the foundation of the Empire would be eroded.

When asked by a reporter whether the colonial Government should be subject to Parliamentary investigation as a result, Sir Arthur believed: ”Anyone claiming to enforce the law under the British flag must accept the limitations of that flag itself. We cannot cite the Great Charter in the House of Lords while ignoring the Writ of Habeas Corpus in Quebec. Ultimately, this is a power of the Cabinet and Parliament, but if they have the need, the police department can provide very clear testimony on this.”

”Sir Arthur Hastings responds to rumors about the ’New Police Bill Draft’—London does not need secret police, and Britain does not need a Prussian-style police system”

Our reporter briefly intercepted an interview with Police Commissioner Committee Secretary-General Sir Arthur Hastings outside No. 4 Whitehall Street yesterday, raising questions based on the ”New Police Bill Draft” circulating in the Lower House and several unconfirmed Parliamentary rumors.

Over the past week, major newspapers in London have been reprinting anonymous MP statements, claiming that the new bill would grant Scotland Yard more extensive ”preventive detention power,” allow police departments to redefine city sections, and implement temporary curfews in special circumstances. Some have even hinted that London could be transformed into a ”shared police jurisdiction” similar to overseas in certain countries.

Facing such voices, Sir Arthur’s attitude remained calm: ”I must first clarify one point: We have not, and have never discussed any so-called preventive detention power. That is some friends mistakenly incorporating overseas systems into the British context. In Britain, unless a crime has occurred or reasonable suspicion has formed, no one has the right to deprive someone else’s freedom, even for just a minute. The police department does not need such power and will never seek such power.”

When the reporter pursued whether the draft includes clauses for local police stations to temporarily block streets, Sir Arthur responded: ”Almost every day London has several streets temporarily closed due to fires, burst pipes, or overturned carriages, this is not something new. If someone defines this situation as martial law, then I can only say their language ability is much better than mine.”