Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-04-09
A Demand" for Mercy.

Today Sacco and Vanzetti convicted
OF murder at South Braintree, Mass,
in April, 1920, are being sentenced TO
death, following decision by the
State Supreme Court that closes all
doors of appeal. unless the Federal
courts consent to consider the case,
which is extremely doubtful. With
the death sentence imposed, the only
escape from execution is through ex-
ecutive clemency. Gov. Fuller of
Massachusetts is already being be-
sought to grant pardon or a COM
mutation of sentence. From all quar-
tiers come these petitions. evidently
prepared in advance in anticipation of
the refusal OF the Supreme Court of
the State to order a new trial. They
come not only from people in. this
country, but from abroad.
One OF the pleas that have reached
the governor is Of an unusual nature.
1t comes from Labor members of the
British Parliament, and Is notable es-
pecially for the terms in which it is
couched. 1t reads:
British members of Parliament en-
phatically protest the rejection of a
new trial for Sacco and Vanzetti. We
view with alarm the violation of JUS
tice committed in this case, and de-
mand withdrawal of the death sem
tence and their immediate release.
The right of the people of other ma
tons to intervene in the course OF
Justice in this country is not eStab-
lished or granted. The right of plea
or petition may be conceded, but GER
tainIy not the right to demand" of
American courts or executives specific
actions. Were the accused men who
are now being condemned to death
British subjects there would be some
measure of reason in the imperative
terms of this parliamentary demand
But they are not British. They are OF
Italian birth, and the only reason for
the agitation by the group OF Brit
ish parliamentarians is that they are
radicals, whose views are in a. degree
similar to those of the present petit
toners.
Such pleas, to give them their more
agreeable designation, are calculated
to injure rather than aid the cause Of
the convicted men. The case does not
turn upon their relations to principles
of government cor social organization.
1t is strictly a question Of law. They
have been convicted after protracted
trial, have had the benefit of the
fullest appeals, and are now at the
point of execution under death SEN
fences which, il they are in truth
guilty of the crimes, are undeniably
demanded and justified. 1t is alleged
in their behalf that they have not had
fair trial, that the evidence against
them was inconclusive, that they were
convicted because of their known radi-
calism at time when there was hue
and cry against protestants against
the established system Of government.
1t is claimed for them that evidence
in their favor was suppressed, that
confession of guilt by another man
has been ignored and that there is at
the least sufficient doubt OF guilt on
their part to warrant an indefinite
stay of execution to permit the future
disclosure of the truth in their behalf.
The protestants who are now flood
ing the Governor of Massachusetts
with letters, kilograms and cable
grams represent a large body of opin-
ion, partly American and partly for
eign, that will doubtless cause him TO
! consider deeply and gravely the issues
| involved in this case. But the per-
emptory demand Of group of Brit
ish legislators will probably prove less
| effective than other protests, couched
in terms of reason rather than com
mand.