24 FEBRUARY 1956, Page 8

THE Daily Worker of February 17, 1956, welcomes the aboli-

tion of the death penalty as a triumph for 'the forces of enlightenment and civilisation.' The Daily Worker of May 7. 1954, quoted (presumably with approval) the decree of the Supreme Soviet reintroducing the death penalty for murder `in consideration of petitions from citizens and public organisa- tions requesting the application of capital punishment to murderers so that the lives of citizens may be protected.'