THE HULL MURDER

Evening Star, Issue 18812, 10 December 1924, Page 5

THE HULL MURDER

SYMPATHY WITH SMITH. UNPRECEDENTED DEMONSTRATIONS. Press Association—By Telegraph-Copyright LONDON, December 8. Despite the unprecedented demonstrations which were continued at Hull today and thousands of telegrams to tliG King, the Prime Minister, and the Home Secretary (Sir W. Joynson-Hicks), also deputations to the two lastnamed in favor of reprieving William Smith, tho Home Office announces that the representations have offered no ground justifying his reprieve. _ Mr J. M. Kenworthy, M.P., who was one of the deputationists, stated on his arrival in London that ho had never seen anything like the spontaneous outburst of feeling among all classes in Hull in favor of the condemned man. Mr Kemvorthy added: “ There will bo a riot and bloodshed if something is not done. _ There would have been a general strike in Hull to-day if Sir W. Joynson-Hicks had not agreed to see tho deputation. "intercession services and meetings of protest wore held throughout the day in Hull, and it was arranged to^ have pickets continuously outside the prison with a view to intercepting the hangman s arrival. Smith’s mother has arranged to pray outside the gaol all night long. The murder itself did not attract wide attention, but the newspapers agree that there has never pre.viously been such a general demand for a reprieve. This is based on Smith’s age (twenty-six), Ins previous blameless character, his fine war record, and the fact that he immediately gave himself up after the crime at thw moment of which he said he temporarily “ saw red.”—A and N.Z. Cable. PLEADING FOR REPRIEVE. LONDON, December 9. (Received December 10, at 1.20 a.m.) Yesterday morning a telegram was sent to His Majesty the King pleading for the exercise of his preregutive and the reprievc of Smith. It was signed by the Lady Mayoress of Hull, the sheriff, and the president of the Trades Council. There is not the slightest indication, however, of a reprieve being granted. The Homo Secretary was deeply moved during an interview with a deputation, and he sat with his head in his hands, _ He said that no one felt tho responsibility more than he did. Even tho Iftother of_ tho murdered woman telegraphed to Sir W. JoynsonHicks on behalf of his murdered water: “ I pray von to grant a reprieve. ’ Late at night an organised, crowd marched to the prison, and sang hymns within tho hearing of the condemned man. A large force of police prevented a disturbance. The mother, when told that there would be no reprieve, said; ‘‘There is no justice. I am going to pray alone.”—A. and N.Z. Cable.