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| Feels Protection Necessary "These letters were written before the lynching of Williams last night, and in view of that occurrence and of the other occurrences and developments, I have decided that, whatever may be the opinions which the local authorities now hold, it is my duty as Governor of the State to take the steps which I consider necessary to assure protection to both Jones and Ades, if the judges adhere to their determination to try the case in Dorchester county. "I need not specify what the protection is which will be afforded. It is enough to say that it will be sufficient to safeguard Jones and Ades at their trial." No Commission Likely Tn amplification of his statement, Governor Ritchie said he saw no need of appointing a commission to investigate the lynching. He said none but the county authorities had authority in the case and that he considered he was extending his own powers to the limit in directing Mr. Lane and his office to take an active part in the investigation, which Governor Ritchie described as "purely a criminal procedure." He expressed confidence that the mob leaders could be identified. "We will find them all right," he said. "But then it will be up to the grand jury. We can't go beyond that." Not To Repeat "Mistake" He refused to amplify his references to protection for Lee and his counsel, saying: "I'll rest with saying that they'll be protected. I'm not saying how. I'm not making the mistake I did before of saying how they would be escorted to the Eastern Shore, in what coach and what seat." Mr. Lane declined to state his plans for assisting in the lynching investigation. He would not say definitely whether he planned to visit Salisbury or whether members of his staff were at work on the case, although he indicated that they were. At Baltimore Hotel Governor Ritchie returned from New York early yesterday and at his suite at the Belvedere Hotel immediately began an investigation of reports on the lynching. Meanwhile, the Governor and various other persons were the recipients of protests, criticisms and expressions of opinion from numerous sources of interest—both direct and indirect—in the case. A letter composed by Rabbi Edward L. Israel on his sick bed was being read to his parishioners of Har Sinai Congregation. He called upon Governor Ritchie and the clergymen of the Eastern Shore to join actively in the efforts to identify and prosecute the mob leaders and to Early yesterday afternoon, Mr. Ades received the following telegram from Salisbury: "Have Negro murderer here. Slightly dilapidated. Interview guaranteed. Same treatment awaits others." It was signed "John J. Justice." . Ra'obi Israel's Message The message from Rabbi Israel follows, in part: "What is going to be the answer of the constituted authorities? Are we going to witness in Maryland the usual conclusion to these barbaric scenes? Is a travesty of a coroner's inquest going to gather with fake solemnity and declare that the Negro came to his death 'at the hands of persons un-! known' while all the while the identity of the mob leaders is a matter of public knowledge? Or are we going to have summary action against the lynchers in a manner to vindicate the honor of Maryland as the defender of justice? "The Eastern Shore situation needs the demonstration of a strong, courageous character on the part of Annapolis. What are we going to find there—real courage or petty politics which prates of State's rights yet will do nothing to uphold the dignity of those rights in the face of possible loss of political prestige? Puts It Up To Churches "What of the churches of Salisbury and their ministers? The Eastern Shore is alleged to be a very religious community. Could it be possible that the savage blood-revenge mob contained even a single follower of the Prophet of Nazareth who preached a gospel of love? "Take the almost unbelievable for granted—that this mob was composed entirely of non-church members. What have my brethren in the churches of the Eastern Shore to say of this horrible lynching? What will be their reaction in the name of God to this stringing up of a wounded Negro and this maniacal burning of his body? Cites Volstead Act Devotion "I understand that the pulpits of the Eastern Shore are extremely emphatic in their devotion to law as represented by the Volstead act. I hope that for the sake of the good name of religion they may be even more emphatic in their devotion to the sanctity of justice and our law courts in this case where a mob has flouted all law and all humanity. "I hope they will find it their consecrated duty not only to lend their voices to protest, but their actions as well to a condemnation of a savagery so uttealy abhorrent in the light of every religious standard. If the voice of religion is frightened into silence or if the representatives of the churches appear to condone this atrocity either by muteness or agreement then is spiritual bankruptcy |