AT MOSCOW’S BEHEST

Evening Star, Issue 21284, 13 December 1932, Page 7

AT MOSCOW’S BEHEST

‘ HUNGER MARCH LEADER SENTENCED Press Association —By Telegraph—Copyright. LONDON, December 12. (Received December 13, at 11 a.m.) Elias was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment. Mr Justice Charles declared that he was sure that the jury would agree that the ease had been free from political bias. Britain’s policy was to allow people to express any views and advocate any revolution they wished provided they refrained from inciting others to disorder and violence. Elias had admitted that the hunger march was aimed not at drawing attention to troubles bravely borne, hut at inciting the mass to struggle against the capitalist state. Demonstrations requiring police intervention were unlawful. In passing sentence, Mr Justice Charles added: “The jury has rightly convicted Elias. The Unemployed Workers’ Movement interests _ the workers only because the British worker- is honest and law abiding. Not one in a thousand is led astray by the activities which Elias prosecuted at the behest of Moscow. The maximum sentence is far too short.” A well-dressed woman shouted: “How dare you arrogate the right to speak for the workers ? To hell with capitalist justice.” [Twenty detectives raided the hunger marchers’ headquarters on November 1 and arrested the leaders. Hannington was sentenced to three months’ imprisonment, and Elias was remanded.]