SENSATIONAL ATTEMPT TO RELEASE A MURDERER.

Evening Star, Issue 7340, 12 October 1887, Page 4

SENSATIONAL ATTEMPT TO RELEASE A MURDERER.

THE HOME SECRETARY REMAINS FIRM, AND LIPSKI CONFESSES. [From Our Special Correspondent.] London, August 26. No sooner had the editor of the ' Pall Mall' brought Mrs Langworthy's over-true story to a triumphant conclusion than he set to work to hunt up yet another newspaper sensation of the first water. This was soon forthcoming in the case of the Jewish convict Lipski, who, you may remember, was condemned to death some weeks ago for a peculiarly brutal and repulsive murder. Mr Hayward, the prisoner's solicitor, has all along been firmly convinced of his client's innocence, and no sooner was the date of Lipski's execution fixed than he set to work to move Heaven and earth to get the man respited. No Jew had ever been hanged in London, and the Hebrews were consequently most anxious that Hayward should succeed in his enterprise and the precedent remain unbroken. Every assistance was afforded him towards the hunting up of new evidence favorable to Lipski, and on Friday week he submitted to the Judge who tried the case (Mr Justice Stephen) and the Home Secretary several more or less trivial possibilities. The case having aroused a lot of attention, both Mr Matthews and the Judge gave the so-called "new evidence" their most careful thought and attention, but the conclusion they came to after going over every point judicially was that there really seemed no valid reason for granting a respite. This took place on Friday. On Saturday morning Hayward went to see Stead, and that evening there appeared in the ' Pall Mall Gazette' some highly sensational and startling statemtnts. Stead declared, for example, that Mr Justice Stephen had confessed to Mr Hayward that his mind misgave him as to Lipski's guilt, and that the new evidence had greatly shaken him. To hang Lipski with this assertion uncontradicted was obviously impossible, so Mr Matthews granted a respite for a week on the distinct understanding that unless bona fide fresh evidence was forthcoming the execution would then take place. On Monday Mr Justice Stephen publicly denied the ' Pall Mall Gazette's' statement re his mind having changed, and later on almost all Mr Stead's statements were found to be either grossly exaggerated or utterly false. Throughout the week, however, the 'Pall Mall Gazette' kept up an hysteric ehriek of sensationalism. Its reporters became detectives; the police were most maliciously accused of tampering with justice; and Lipski waa represented as something more than a martyr. No fresh evidence of importance, however, proved to be forthcoming, 6ave that of a chemist called Buchner, who, after being carefully examined by experts for two hours, was pronounced untrustworthy. On Saturday Mr Matthews finally decided that the respite should not be extended beyond the following Monday, and on Sunday afternoon the convict was notified of his impending doom. He at once said: "I shall not die with a lie on my lips," and to the surprise and relief of the authorities forthwith dictated a full confession of his guilt. Mr Stead meanwhile was penning a final invocation, headed " Spare the man," and prophesying all sorts of horrors if "this ghastly judicial murder " were carried out. THE CONFESSION. The convict, Israel Lipski, made a full confession of his guilt yesterday to the Rev. Simeon Singer, of the Jewish Synagogue, St. Petersburg place, Bayswater, and it was at once forwarded to the Home Secretary. It is in the following terms : I, Israel Lipski, before I appear before God in judgment, desiie to speak the whole truth concerning the crime cf which I am accused. I will not die with a lie on my lips. 1 will not let others suffer even on suspicion for my sin. I alone was guilty of the murder of Miriam Angel. I thought the woman had money in her room, so I entered, the door being unlocked and the woman asleep. I had no thought of violating her, and swear I never approached her with that object, nor did I wrong her in this way. Miriam Angel woke before I could search for money, and cried out, but very softly. Thereupon I struck her on the head, seized her by the neck, and closed her mouth with my band, bo that she should not arouse tho attention of those who were about the house. I had long been tired of my life, and had bought a pennyworth of aquafortis that morning for the purpose of putting an end to myself. Suddenly I thought of the bottle I had in my pocket, and drew it out and poured some of the contents down her throat. She fainted, and, recognising my despcrato condition, I took the rest. The bottle was an old one which I had formerly used, and was the same as that which I had taken with me to the oil shop. The quantity of aquafortis I took had no effect on mo. Hearing the voices of people coining upstaira, I crawled under the bed The woman seemed already dead. There was only a very short timo from the moment of entering the room until I was taken away. In the agitation I also fainted. I do not know how it was that my arms becamo abraded; I did not feel it, and was not aware of it. As to the door being locked from the inside, I myself did this immediately after I entered the room, wishing not to be interrupted. I solemnly declare that Bosenbloom and Schmuss know nothing whatever of the crime of which I have been guilty, and I alone. I implore them to pardon me for having in my despair tried to cist the blame upon them. I also beseech tho forgiveness of the bereaved husband. I admit that I have bad a fair trial, and acknowledge tho justice of the sentence that has been passed upon me. I desire to thank Mr Hayward for his efforts on my behalf, as well as all thoso who have interested themselves in me during this unhappy time. This confession is made of my own free will, and is written down by Mr Singer at my request. May God comfort my loving father and mother, and may He accept my repentance at my death as an atonement for all my sins.—Sue diy, August 21.1887. (Signed) Israel Lipski. Witnesses: 8. Singer, Minister. G. L. Milman, Governor H.M. Prison, Newgate. HOW TUE CONFESSION WAS WRITTEN. Extraordinary A3 it may appear, tho fact that a confession of this character was probable was known to several people during the past few days, and it is stated that yesterday week the convict was engaged in putting it into writing when the respite of the Home Secretary arrived, to his great surprise. The paper, already filled, was hurriedly torn up, and every care taken to prevent the publication of the circumstances, and it was believed that no clue was left to inform any person of what had actually happened. To those having fuller knowledge, the zeal of Mr Hayward and his activity in bringing forward matters calculated to throw doubts upon the justice of the sentence were regarded as most praiseworthy, apd they express themselves in the highest terms of his devotion to a cause which they knew was doomed to fail. Lipski himself immediately became cheerful, and from day to day had strong hopes that the element of doubt would grow so strong as to lead to his reprieve. Whilst in gaol he had actually grown stouter; he slept well, and his appetite was good. When he was seen on Saturday by Mr Philip Lipski, his landlord, he was cheerful, reiterating his innocence, and appearing hopeful of the future. Those who came most into contact with him describe him as a man of small intellect, not emotional, but sometimes giving way to tears, and at all times apparently religious. He paid particular attention to certain passages of Scripture, but he always exhibited a strong reluctance to discuss the details of the crime. Although statements have been made of a contrary character, Lipski was not neglected by ministers of his faith. The Rev. 8. Singer, of the now West-end Synagogue, Bayswater, travelled up almost daily from Sonthsea. He arrived at the gaol yesterday afternoon at ten minutes to one, and, having been shown into Lipski's cell, he conversed with bim some time. The Governor of Newgate, Colonel Milman, soon followed, and the terms of the Home Secretary's letter were then made known to the unhappy man, who thereupon grew very downcast. He then resolved to complete what he had commenced just seven days before, and in Yiddish he dictated to his spiritual adviser the text of his confession. Lipski spoke English imperfectly, but he understood the language fairly, and he was able to check the translation which the minister made , word by word as he proceeded. Some two hours were thus occupied. The Governor was then asked if he wonld attest the document, which he did, and it was then signed by the prisoner, by Mr Singer, and Colonel Milman. The Governor himself made a copy of it, and the original, filling two foolscap folios, was despatched ' immediately to the Home Secretary, i Mr Singer then went back to Lipski ana asked bim whether he wonld not like to write to his mother and father at Warsaw, and he accordingly dictated a letter to them in his native language. A second letter was also prepared for Mrs Lyons* the mother of his fmcit. Of this engagement lie spoke sorrowfully. He next charged the minister with some small commissions, Mr Singer undertaking to pay a triflng debt owing to a follow lodger, andto see that Lipski's effects and stock should be sold in order to reim-

burse Mrs Philip Lipski, she having lent the prisoner some money. Throughout, theinterviews of the past week have been most trying. Lipski is regarded as a man whose nature is not easily to be understood ; but he is not a fatalist, as some have supposed. Mr Singer left the gaol at half-past five, intending to return soon after six "o'clock, in order to be with the wretched man until his last moment, TUB EXECUTION. Lipski, as we have before had to describe him, was in appearance tho very reverse of one's notion of a savage murderer. A sliin, fair - haired, blue - eyed young fellow of twenty-two, soft of speech and undemonstrative in manner, well toileted and not badly dressed, he presented a striking contrast to some of the dark, fierco-visaged, shock-headed, badly-clothed specimens of his fellow-countrymen who waited upon his trial. But in deeds of blood, appearances of course go for nothing. We only note the difference. A large crowd had assembled outside the Old Bailey by seven o'clock in the morning. As the hour of execution drew nigh it numbered quite, if not more than, five thousand people—the largest gathering ever known since capital punishment has been performed in private at Newgate. The spectators, if they may be so called, included a large number of Eastend Jews and a good sprinkling of women, all animated, it seemed, with the morbid desire of witnessing tho hoisting of that dismal emblem of satisfied Justice —tho black flag. Most of those who came down to "Golgotha," it may be assumed, were animated, when they started, by a spirit of compassion for a man whom they thought might be the victim of circumstantial evidence. The early dissipation of that idea by the placards of the morning papers turned pity into revenge, not to say vindictiveness; and Lipski may be taken to have fared well at the hands of the hangman compared with the treatment he would have received had he been handed over to the tender mercies of the mob. Loud cheers greeted the hoisting of the black flag It was the crowd's way of expressing their execration of a cowardly and barbarous crime, made worse by a wicked attempt to implicate innocent persons. Lipski rose at five o'clock in the morning, and in due time a breakfast, consisting of coffee, eggs, and toast, was sent to him. Of this refreshment he availed himself sparingly. Shortly after six, the Rev. S. Singer arrived, and engaged the culprit in devotion until the arrival of Sheriffs Sir H. A. Isaacs and Sir A. Kirby and UnderSheriff Rose-Innes. At a quarter to eight, the passing bell of St. Sepulchre's began to toll its mournful monotony—the only music which condemned persons at Newgate are privileged to hear in walking to their unhallowed graves. A few minutes before eight the Sheriffs and other officials entered the condemned cell, and informed the poor wretch there interned that the hour of his death had arrived. Lipski expressed bis thanks to Mr Singer and the officials of the gaol for the kind treatment he had received since his conviction. He was then formally handed over to the hangman Berry, who had been in quarters at the gaol since Saturday, and to him he submitted himself in calm resignation. The work of pinioning was got through with commendable dexterity and expedition; and just on the stroke of the hour the procession, headed by the Sheriffs and the governor of the gaol, Colonel MilmaD, emerged from the door which abuts on to the place of execution, which, at first sight, might well bo mistaken for a coach-house. Lipski, who looked terribly pale, yet not a bit unlike himself as he appeared in the dock, was supported hy a warder on either side; but apparently needed not their assistance so far as his ability to walk was concerned. Berry followed immediately behind. Without the loss of a second, Lipski was placed under the noose, the hangman took a white cap from his pocket, placed it over the head of the culprit, and adjusted the noose. Lipski, who was wearing a convict's cap, but was othorwise dressed as he appeared in the Central Criminal Court, responded to the handling of Berry in getting him into position. The warders stood clear. Before the spectators who consisted almost entirely of reporters—colild follow the proceedings, there was a sound as of the shutting of a door in an empty house, and the unhappy culprit disappeared out of sight into the pit below. Death must have been instantaneous, for there was not, as is often seen, any vibration of the rope or any of that pendulum movement which generally succeeds the fall. Berry had evidently gauged his " subject " with mathematical nicety. A man of sft 9in, Lipski scaled only 9st, and giving him a drop of 6ft, the culprit was put out of his misery without a pang. There did not, indeed, seem to bo any of that muscular convulsion which usually takes place. Lipski dropped straight down like a heavy stone into tho water; and a more painless death than his no one could wish to die.

During tho whole of the painful function on the scaffold —which lasted from beginning to end not more than ten seconds—the Rev. Mr Singer, who wore his ecclesiastical cap and robes, was reading the prayers of his Church for the dying, in which Lipski joined in a tremulous and scarcely audible tone. After the executioner had done his work, the burial service, in which God's righteous judgment was acknowledged, was read as the body hung in the pit. Then the medical officer of the prison, as is the custom, took tracings of the pulse, of the temperature, and other features exhibited by the corpse, which was cut down at nine o'clock, Just before the hour of execution, M. Albert, the official interpreter, was called into the condemned cell, in order that if the prisoner wished to make any further statement it might be recorded. Lipski replied: "I have nothing more to say; 1 am guilty."

" is ursKi's confession genuine?"

The following article appears, under the above heading, in 'The Commonweal.' It is signed by Mr William Morris and Mr Belfort Bax :—" So Lipski has confessed and all is right; 'he has been brought to a frame of mind that has enabled him to make the reparation,' says the ' Daily News.' Bourgeois justice and the Home Secretary are triumphantly vindicated. Thus, doubtless, thought the ' respectable' world on Monday morning. Theie is nothing to be surprised at in Lipski's confession. Indeed, it was just what was to be expected ; those who have never believed in his guilt have no need to do so now ; the evidence is entirely against such an hypothesis; but that under the circumstances the world should be given to understand that he has confessed, and ' admitted the justice of his sentence,' was absolutely essential to the stability of the Government, of the system of capital punishment, and to the credit of our judicial machinery generally. What goes on within the walls of a prison is known only to those in the swim of tho bureaucratic trade, and we do not pretend to decide dogmatically with respect to the origin of the document. We need only call the reader's attention to the fact that the bureaucrat is by the necessities of his profession a liar, skilful or unskilful; the value of official disclaimers is proverbial. Who knows what kind of cajolery, or even threats, might not have been employed, since the occasion was so urgent and so much was at stake? In connection with this it is well to remember* that the witches who were burned in tho seventeenth century almost always confessed their guilt and " admitted the justice of the sentence "—or were said to have done so. It must not bo forgotten, morcoVor, that Lipski, who came from Russian Poland, remembering that in his own country a confession of guilt is necessary before a condemned criminal can be executed, and that there torture is admitted to be used on occasion to extract such a confession, might have a oonf used idea that the same thing might happen here, and seeing his case was hopeless and that he had to die, submitted to what he might think was a general formula for the sake of dying without unnecessary worry. Anyhow the document bears upon it the stamp of ungenuineness. Lipski says that he had not begun to search for money before Miriam awoke and alarmed him. Does it seem likely that a man not being a maniac would murder a woman for fear of discovery, simply because she had found him in her room, and before he had committed' any crime ?' He says the aquafortis he swallowed had no e'ffect on him. Is this probable ? He didn't know how his arms were abraded, and did not feel it at the time. Is this probable if the statement next above is true ? Theße objections lie on the surface of the confession ; but no doubt other discrepancies will occur to other searchers into the document. Under any circumstances the main point to be remembered is that the evidence on the trial was insufficient for a jury to convict, upon'if undirected by the Judge, and bearing in mind the maxim so often put forward by those who boast of the immaculate nature of English law, that a doubt should be interpreted in favor of the accused,'

PUBLIC OPINION ON THE ' PALL MALL's ' ACTION. The ' St. James's Gazette' says:—"While acknowledging to the full the difficulties which the Home Secretary has had to encounter, wo must not forget who aggravated them or for what motives. A catchpenny print, with a well known and special animus against the Minister, sees a double opportunity. If by an ingenious display of theatrical excitement a sufficient number of persons unacquainted with tho fact 3 can be persuaded that other people who are acquainted with the facts entertain grave fears that an innocent man may be hanged, an unrivalled opportunity presents itself of damaging and embarrassing a hated political opponent. At the same time a good stroke of business may be done in the gutter, and the large class of readers who gloat over stories of murder, and especially murder complicated by a suspicion of another element in the crime, will eagerly buy up the reports of the interviewers who purport to be witnesses, counsel, judge, jury, and reporters rolled into one. That all this was clone is perhaps the greatest disgrace that has ever happened to English journalism, hardly excepting even the deliberate commission of abominable offences for the purpose of founding upon the experience so acquired a romance of obscene falsehood. When we find such behavior as this actuated by the wish to injure the opposite party, it is difficult to find words adequate to the denunciation of its base wickedness." The ' Evening News ' says :—" With an unscrupulousness almost equalling that shown by the prisoner himself, the editor of the ' Pall Mall Gazette' has attempted to blast honorable reputations; he has deliberately manufactured—or been a party to the manufacture of—almost innumerable falsehoods. On all points, and at every turn, he has been proved in error; and on many of the points he has been proved to be guilty of something far worse than error. No man is so fond as he of insisting upon the power of the Press; but, were all journalists like him, that power would soon be a thing of the past. He has during the last few years done more to degrade the Press than any man living; but in his efforts over the Lipski case he has surely touched low-water mark. At any rate, for the future, let him screech and howl as he may, no sensible man will take the slightest notice of his deliverances. Justice has been done upon Lipski, but it still remains for justice to be done upon others." The 'Globe' says:—"To interfere by clamor, within or without the House, with the duty of deciding between life and death is simply an outrage, quite equal to bringing influence or pressure to bear upon a judge or jury—a point to which not even our sentimental agitators have yet arrived; possibly because that would entail unpleasant consequences to themselves. Nobody can find fault with the readiness to receive new evidence shown by the Home Secretary, combined with his firmness in disposing of it. We trust that the system of appealing to clamor from the verdicts of juries and the sentences of judges has received a check, and that a great many people, who cannot in every case be regarded as well-inten-tioned, have learned a useful lesson."