15 FEBRUARY 1930, Page 19

CAPITAL PUNISHMENT

[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.] Sia,May I take an early Opportunity of expressing . my appreciation of your timely Essay Conipetition on Capital puniShment ? Much discussion of this question in the past has been based upon 'inadequate thought and knOwledge, and any project which leads to a study of the experience of countries which have' abolished the death penalty and an investigation into the principles underlying the treatment and prevention of crime is greatly to be welcomed.—I am,