THE SCOTTSBORO' CASE
[To the Editor of Tim SPECTATOR.]
SIR,—Once more the notorious Scottsboro' case is coming into prominence. The third trial of the nine Negro boys, who were charged in April, 1931, with the rape of two white women, ended in December of last year at Decatur, Alabama, with death sentences on Heywood Patterson and Clarence Norris.
Ever since the lads were first convicted, international public opinion has been dissatisfied with the way in which the judicial proceedings have been conducted. The atmosphere of race prejudice in which the first two trials took place, the lack of evidence against the Negroes, and the fact that one of the alleged victims, Ruby Rates, has since denied her allegations, all seem to indicate that the charge was without foundation, was indeed a " frame-up."
. The boys have only been kept alive up to now by the untir- ing work of the American International Labor Defence, aided by generous financial support from well-known men and women and organized protests in all parts of the world. Next month the case is to be carried before the Alabama Supreme Court. The legal expenses alone of this appeal, the obtaining of records, filing of completed motions, and so on, will run into many thousands of dollars.
The boys can and must be saved. A Scottsboro' Defence Committee has been set up in London to organize protests to the American authorities against the methods of conducting the trials, and to raise funds as this country's contribution to the expenses of the coming trial. We appeal to all to send dona- tions as soon as possible to the Hon. Treasurer of the Com- mittee, Professor Lascelles Abercrombie, 4 Parton Street, London, W.C. 1.—We are, Sir, &c., F. LEWIS DONALDSON (Canon of Westminster); HENRY NEYINSON; JULIAN HUXLEY.
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