Salient. An Organ of Student Opinion at Victoria College, Wellington, N.Z. Vol. 17, No. 6. April 22, 1953
Rosenbergs Must Not Die?
Rosenbergs Must Not Die?
Jim Winchester
, M.A., spoke to a crowded A.2 last Friday at lunchtime under the auspices of the Socialist Club. The title of his address was "Facts of the Rosenberg Case." during which he gave some amazing facts taken from the records of the trial. His main points were:—- "A British Court would never have allowed the evidence to reach the jury stage." Statement backed by prominent lawyers and judges.
- Evidence rests on only one person—Greenglass (brother-in-law who turned Queen's Evidence). He had previously pleaded guilty but not sentenced until after trial.
- Disproportion of sentences given. Greenglass got 8 years, while Rosenbergs received death sentence, which has no precedence in American history.
- Charged under an espionage war-time Act of 1917.
- Attempt by Judge and Prosecutor to make out they were Communists, whereas in fact they were practising Jews. Suspicion of anti-Semitism tainted entire trial.
- Trial conducted in atmosphere of hysteria. Unfortunate precedent of Sacco and Vanzetti, Haymarket martyrs, Tom Mooney, etc.
- Statement of Dr. Harold C. Urey, wartime head of U.S. atomic research. Nobel prize winner. ("N. Y. Times." 4/3/46) "Detailed data on the atomic bomb would require 80 to 90 vols of close print which only a scientist or an engineer could understand. Any spies capable of picking up this information will get information more rapidly by staying at home and working in their own laboratories."
- Suggestion by Judge when sentencing Rosenbergs, that had they admitted charges like Greenglass they would not have been sentenced to death. Charge was conspiring to commit espionage not treason as commonly thought.
- In fact conviction was made on unsubstantial and incredible evidence.
Finally Mr. Winchester reminded those present that because Ethel and Julius Rosenberg were ordinary folk like the majority of us, it was in the interests of all Americans to make certain that justice was done in their case. He asked for active student support of the Wellington "Save the Rosenbergs" Committee.
—P.P.