&tiers to the editor
SCOTTISH CONSPIRACY Stn,—Sir Compton Mackenzie's eloquent article on the Scottish conspiracy trial suc-
ceeded in stirring my indignation against the Edinburgh police, though much might be forgiven when they had the Queen's person to guard. It also stirred my suspicion of Scottish Nationalists. The defence of the four young .men on trial was that they were courting arrest in order to call attention—to what ? " To the danger of ignoring the question of Scottish nationalism until violence was inevit- able." That sounds like orthodox totalitarian doctrine. If we can't get votes, we must use violence.
The suffragettes threatened and used violence because they had no votes. But Scots have votes, even the depressed remnant resi- dent in Scotland, and there are few, if any, declared nationalists among the Scottish Members of Parliament.
It may be, as Sir Compton seems to suggest, that the un-Scottish conduct of the Edinburgh police will have more effect than arguments in winning support for Scottish Nationalism. But if it is still " ignored " when these young men are released, will violence be then "inevitable " ? 1 hope the Edinburgh police, using less disreputable methods, will main- tain their vigilance.—Yours faithfully,
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