23 MARCH 1912, Page 2

On Tuesday night Mr. Tom Mann was arrested at his

house in Wimbledon, and on Wednesday conveyed to Salford, where he was charged on Thursday before the magistrate under the Incitement to Mutiny Act of 1797. The charge was in con- nexion with his share in originating and subsequently pub- lishing the " Open Letter to British Soldiers " printed in the Syndicalist, with the object of endeavouring " to seduce such persons serving in his Majesty's Forces by land . . . from their duty and allegiance to his said Majesty." The magis- trate remanded the case for a week, and refused to grant bail. As to the question whether Mr. Tom Mann is guilty or not guilty we can of course say nothing, but in regard to the question of the gravity of the crime with which he is charged there can be no doubt. A nation which treated incitements to its soldiers to disobey orders as no offence would be guilty of suicide.