An Open Letter to Lord Beaverbook

Clearly, if that allegation is absolutely false, the offence to justice is grave almost beyond precedent. A lie so base and hurtful must be withdrawn at once, frankly and fully, with all possible publicity. To deny the absolute right of truth and justice to be instantly vindicated in the matter must be repugnant to your sense of honour. Not only has Mr. Crowley not served a prison sentence in America as a white slaver, but he has never been even accused of any crime before any court in any country in the world. The statement made in the Sunday Express is thus an absolute lie ; your editor knows that it is a lie ; and you, my Lord, are in a position to satisfy yourself conclusively that it is a lie. I submit, that as proprietor of the Sunday Express—one of the greatest forces in the news- paper world, and in the public life of the nation— you are under a clear obligation to ascertain the truth in this matter, and to compel your editor to publish it in such a way as to redress the wrong wrought by his foul lie. 4. His plea that, unless his statements had all been correct, Mr. Crowley would have sued the paper for libel immediately, is a base and cynical attempt to ignore the evident disabilities of every kind which beset the absentee, the poor — 4 —