The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1924-09-19

OOdh CAfE1AI y ucClSlOu ia uiC
- case of Leopold and Loeb, the Chi
cago murderers, awaited with intense
interest by the entire nation, was rem
dered on Wednesday, and may be con-
sidered a victory for sentimentalism.
The young men were sentenced to life
Imprisonment on the charge of muir
dering Robert Franks and to 80 years
on the charge Of kidnapping for ran
som. In carefully written statement
the Judge said that In choosing impris-
onment instead Of death, he was
moved chiefly by the consideration Of
the age of the defendants, who are
eighteen and nineteen years old. But
these self-confessed perpetrators of a
most revolving crime are admittedly
mentally developed beyond their
years. Opinion as to the wisdom Of
the courts decision Is divided. Many
editors and persons who have to do
with the enforcement of the law be-
lieye the killers should have been
hanged. Many educators and minis
tiers, being opposed to capital punish
ment, are therefore in accord with the
decision. There are two dangers in
volved in the matter. One is that the
murderers may at some time be re-
leased on parole, though Judge Cav
erly urged that this be not done. The
other is in the effect the decision may
have on the mind of the masses, for
these boys are the sons of immensely
wealthy citizens. Whether or not
Judge Caverly erred on the side of
mercy, there is not the slightest reflec-
ton on his integrity. But the states
attorney voiced the opinion Of many
when he said the escape Of these kill
ers from the moose will make more
difficult the already hard task Of pro-
tecting life in Chicago.
N UR "Air Magellans." as the head
" writer's delight to call them, are
safe in the United States again, and
indeed almost at the end of their
globe-encircling flight at the time Of
writing. After stops in Boston and
on Long Island, where they were well
coined by immense throngs, they few
to Washington and were received on
Boiling field by President and Mrs.
Coolidge, the cabinet and innumer-
able other dignitaries, who waited
cheerfully for hours in hard rain.
The aviators were kept at the capital
for Defense day and then flew to Day
ton. Their route takes them by way
of Chicago Omaha and Texas to San
Diego, Los Angeles, San Francisco
and Eugene, Ore.
VXyHILE the Chekiang and Kiangsu
wv armies continue their bloody
struggle for possession of Shanghai,
with varying fortunes, the civil war in
China has spread to the region about
Picking. General Chang, war lord Of
Manchuria, having declared war on
the central government because 1t is
backing the Kiangsu forces, is report
ed to have started six armies, of
10000 men each, on the way to attack
the capital. Chang has had leaflets
scattered among the Chekiang troops
urging them to hold on and promising
aid. The Picking cabinet has been
taken over by a military council and
the minister Of finance is busily rails
ing war funds. The Shanghai mer-
chants telegraphed the Picking banks
not to lend the government any money.
Though the dispatches from the
Shanghai front are somewhat confus-
ing, it appears that the Chekiang
forces defending the city are getting
rather the better Of the fighting.
Toward the end Of the week they had
taken three towns near Taihu lake
and were engaged in a fierce battle
with the Kiangsu army in the vicinity
of Ihang, ninety miles from Shanghai.
In other sectors of the front the fight
ing was halted by torrential rains.
Japan has declared it has no inten-
ton of intervening in China's domes-
tic row, but it is anxiously watching
America and England, for there are
reports of interchanges between Wash
ington and London that indicate that
positive measures are being consid-
ered The Japanese press hints that
America is in sympathy with Gen. WI
Pei-Fu. the military chieftain of Pc
king.
| ~ EN-. GREGORIO FERRARA is
NJ leading rebel movement in Hon
duras that is causing lot of trouble
Two American cruisers are already al
| Ceiba and have landed forces, and an
other is on the way from Panama
The American charge d'affaires, Stoke
ley w. Morgan, has warned Ferrara
that Washington will recognize no gov
eminent set up my him unless the