“THE CUP OF HEMLOCK”

Greymouth Evening Star, 12 October 1934, Page 10

“THE CUP OF HEMLOCK”

GERMANY’S- CRIME CODE A reversion to the ancient Greek custom of handing a condemned man a cup of hemlock is now under contemplation in Germany—together with other reformations of the criminal law. Dr. Guertner, Minister ' of Justice, considers that the plan of allowing a condemned man to effect his own execution is “worthy of consideration.” He . suggests that “in exceptional cases” a revolver might take the place of the poisoned cup. Certain other mediaeval methods have also been seriously considered. Banishment to “vault or dungeon” was one of them, but it has been rejected as impracticable.

The pillory will not be re-introduced in its old form, but will be applied symbolically. A judge can in future, at his discretion, order the- sentence passed to be published “on placards, in the Press, through the broadcasting system, or on the film.” The most serious crimes are to be visited by the special punishment directed against the criminal’s honour. Such criminals will be separated from all others and “treated with severity,” and will “never be able to resume an honourable legal position”—thus becoming, in the literary sense of the word, an outlaw.

The taking of hemlock by the condemned was the recognised death penalty in ancient Athens. The most celebrated death by this means was that of the philosopher Socrates, who refused an opportunity to escape from prison when condemned. A celebrated passage in Plato’s “Phaedo” describes the philosopher taking the potion and conversing with his friends up to the moment of death.