10 FEBRUARY 1923, Page 27

The whole subject of lynching and the best means of

dealing with the evil of mob-violence is ever in the minds of forward-looking people in America. Grave though the evil may still be, it is satisfactory to note that there were seven less lynchings last year than in 1921, the actual total being fifty-seven. The American Press does not mince words on the subject. The San Antonio Express refers to the matter as " the most damnable record in all the statistics of human affairs—the annual record of lynchings in the United States." American reformers have, however, solid grounds for satisfaction, since on fifty-eight occasions last year the officers of the law prevented lynching and in ten instances peni-. tentiary sentences were secured against alleged lynchers.