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*On July 25. The Workers' Weekly published an article entitled An Open Letter to the Fighting Forces. This letter was virtually an incitement to mutiny. Sailors, soldiers, airmen were advised "to form committees in every barracks, aerodrome and ship, to refuse to shoot down your fellow workers, to refuse to fight for profits and to turn your weapons on your oppressors." They were told: "The next war is being prepared; and you will be sent to shoot, shell or bomb French or American workers in uniform. You are workers yourselves. Why do it?"
J. R. Campbell was arrested on Aug. 5 and charged at Bow Street Police Court with inciting mutiny. The trial was scheduled for Aug. 13, but the Public Prosecutor offered no evidence and the case was dismissed.
It was alleged that "for the first time in England's history, the course of Justice in the law courts had been changed by outside political forces." Sir Patrick Hastings, Attorney General, questioned in the House, said that the case was dropped because Campbell was a responsible editor and therefore conviction appeared to be unlikely. That he did not wish to dignify the Communists by martyring them was the follow-up he offered.
Conservative and Liberal newspapers joined forces in denouncing the Government's action in interfering with the course of Justice.
†Premiers of Britain usually hold the office of First Lord of the Treasury jointly with that of the Premiership. The Premiership is unpaid and Premiers have to depend upon some other office for a salary. Premier MacDonald is also Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, but does not receive any pay as such.