The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-10-24

Information. Her male companion was condemned to death. She was sen- fenced to 10 years imprisonment"
 Privileges of Defense Sir John explained that in addition to the privileges for an adequate defense already mentioned, an opportunity was always given for reconsidering sentence. Tn the case of a courtmartial, reconsid- eration always took place in civil court. In such case as that mentioned, the con- demned person had the privilege of ap- pealing to a court of criminal appeal and for consideration by the home sec retary who would advise as to the prerog- ative of mercy. In the particular case referred to the woman did not appeal The secretary was asked what cogniz- ance was taken by the British govern ment of inquiries by neutral diplomats in this country in connection with trials for espionage or similar offenses. To this he replied
 Tn any case when the accured claimed to have connection with neutral coun- try We have not waited for application to be made to us. We have thought 1t right to give the neutral embassy in formation of the arrest. It has happened that in several cases the accused was carrying what he alleged to be a United States passport. In such cases as in others, the American embassy has been consulted and solicitors, as counsel for the defense, have been retained with the embassays approval"
 English Customs In answer to question as to whether execution could in Great Britain follow sentence as quickly as in the recent case in Belgium the home secretary said Execution never follows sentence here without a proper interval. Indeed, there was case not long ago when on the eve of execution postponement was requested in order that some further representa- tions could be considered. Sentence was postponed for a week and the whole case was reviewed in the light of the new material.
 ''In case now pending the accused says he wishes to call evidence from the other side of the world We do not know whether the evidence will be helpful. but we have postponed final trial from August to December.
 Mind you, I am not claiming any credit for the British government for our pro- cedure There is nothing unusual, in my mind, in taking care that accused per- sons have the fullest opportunity for their defense.
 '.The thing which strikes Englishmen familiar with our procedure as most in- credible in the Cavell case is the calcu- lated indifference with which the in- quiries of the American and Spanish min isters were treated. If the excuse is sug- gested that in war time severe or harsh measures have to be taken, our own ex- perience is enough to show that 1t is possible to combine regard for the rights of the accused and respect for humane considerations with effective punishment of hostile offermes of the most serious kind.
 Tt would have seemed impossible for the Germans to have done anything to increase the horror they have produced by their behavior in Belgium; 1t would have seemed impossible also for them to have done anything which could cement more closely the bond of sympathy be- tween England and the Belgian popula- tion. But they have accomplished both seeming impossibilities by one horrible act of brutality