SACCO AND VANZETTI

Hokitika Guardian, 22 August 1927, Page 2

SACCO AND VANZETTI

LAST RESORTS. (Australian & N.Z. Cable Association.) WASHINGTON, Aug. 20. With the hour of th© execution of Saoco and Vanzctti rapidly approaching, their counsel are making last desperate efforts to save their lives. 1 he\ have lodged petitions with the Cieik of the United States Supreme Court, one asking for a review of the case ns it developed heiore the Massachusetts Supreme Court, and the other asking for a review of the original trial. Tlies petitions are unable to lie formally filed, because the accompanying records are insufficient, lint counsel undertook to complete the formalities by August 22nd. However, as these proceedings thorn selves are insufficient to stay execution, and as a hearing thereon would not he obtained before October, other members of the defence counsel are endeavouring to obtain such a stay. Meantime, the police vigilance has been redoubled. Protest meetings are being held in nil parts of the United States. Maindeath watches have been arranged for the night of the execution. Fifteen sympathisers were arrested while picketing the State's House at Boston. Large delegations from Now York and other cities have arranged to assemble outside the prison if the sentence is carried out. Sacco remains calm despite his weakened condition, due to his hunger strikn, but Vanzetti talks wildly as the hour of death approaches. It is feared that the long strain is finally beginning to unsettle his mind.

PRESS AGAINST EXECUTION. NEW YORK, Aug. 20.

Newspapers, some of which have previously refrained from comment, all devote leading articles to the case, the majority expressing the hope that the death penalty will not be enacted. BERLIN. Aug. 20. A pro-Sacco crowd rushed a police cordon that was barring Ihe American Embassy here. The police were twice forced to use their batons and rifle butts to disperse the demonstrators. Ten were wounded and twelve arrested. The police have been reinforced besides squads of plain-clothes men inside the Embassy, and patrols in the neighbouring streets. JUDGE REFUSES REPRIEVE. NEW YORK. Aug 7 20. A message from Beverley. Wassail inserts. states: Air Justice Holmes, of the United States Supreme Court, at home here to-dnv. refused to stay the execution of Sacco and Vanzetti. The day continued to lm one of strenuous legal efforts on behalf of the condemned men. The Federal Court of Appeals and ATr Justice Holmes, <T the United States Supreme Court, petitioned to grant a further reprieve to permit of appeals fer a writ of certiorari to lie heard before the Supreme Court, but bath declined to grant the same.

Justice Holmes said lie. had no power to do so, but ln> .should be very glad to have counsel for Ihe condemned make a similar application to another Supreme Court of Justice. Counsel then appealed to Justice Fuller for a. further ronrieve, and visited the ’ United States Attorney-000. oral, Mr Sargent, asking the hurt or to open the records of the Department of Justice, where, it is <4a lined, the data hearing on Sacco and Yanzetti's Radical activities would throw new light on the ease. Air Sargent declined. An appeal was made to President Coolidge to instruct Mr Sargent to grant this request. Intimations from AVashingfon that strong pressure is being brought to bear to have the Federal TLovornment interfere in the ease. Efforts are also being made to see Chief Justice Taft, of the United States Supreme Court.