27 FEBRUARY 1926, Page 14

A correspondent sends me some literature published by the League

for the Abolition of Capital Punishment, New York, a society which has been trying to arouse public opinion in America in favour of the abolition of the death penalty. The efforts of the society have met with a mixed reception so far, and several newspapers point out that at a time " when crime waves are sweeping the country_" little public support will be forthcorning. Be that as it may, _ eight of the States in the American Union have abolished capital punishment—Michigan, .Rhode Island, Wisconsin, Kansas, Maine, Minnesota, North and South. Dakota. The only country in the British Empire which has abolished the death penalty is New Zealand. • In Europe many countries have done so, including Holland, Italy, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland.

• * * *