Torres, Schwartzbard’s Councsel, Takes Exception to Marshall’s Statement

(Jewish Telegraphic Agency)

Henri Torres, counsel for Sholom Schwartzbard, slayer of Petlura, took exception to the opinion expressed by Louis Marshall, president of the American Jewish Committee, on the Schwartzbard case.

In a letter to the president of the American Jewish Committee Torres protested against Mr. Marshall’s recent statement on the case. The opinion that the Ukrainians are agitated because of the Schwartzbard trial is incorrect; Ukrainian Democratic circles are against Petlura, M. Torres declares in his letter, which was made public here. The medical examination proved that Schwartzbard is sane. His trial is not the trial of an individual alone, but it has importance for all Jews because it calls the world’s attention to the anti-Jewish massacres in the Ukraine. Mr. Marshall has anticipated the sentence of the court, M. Torres declared.

Mr. Marshall stated at the annual meeting of the American Jewish Committee that Schwartzbard’s “defense must be sought in the field of mental irresponsibility and not in that of justification.”