Urges Belaunde Terry to Free Peruvian Peasant Leader
Bertrand Russell, the world-famous philosopher and pacifist now actively associated with the International War Crimes Tribunal, has intervened in behalf of Hugo Blanco, the Peruvian peasant leader condemned to 25 years in the notorious El Frontén fortress-prison because of his role in organizing a massive grass-roots agrarian reform movement with revolutionary im- HUGO BLANCO plications.
learned April 2% that Hugo Blanco was set dramatic trial in which the prisoner turned upon by armed guards at the El Frontén for- the tables on the army officials who served tress prison at Lima, Peru, early in the as prosecution, judge and jury in the illemonth, and brutally beaten. He is in the gal tribunal, the courageous fighter appealed the savage sentence. The answer of CONTENTS -- See back page. the prosecution was to demand the death
New York, N. Y. 10010. Po
HUGO BLANCO
HUGO BLANCO
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penalty. Since then the case has become internationally famous as determined efforts have been made to save the life of Hugo Blanco and, if possible, to gain his immediate release.
The Supreme Council of Military Justice, which was to meet on the case in April, is the final court of appeal under Peru's barbarous military code even though Hugo Blanco is a civilian. If it hands down an adverse decision, Hugo Blanco can be shot within 24 hours.
A report was received in London that Blanco had been brought before the court and that immediate action was required. Bertrand Russell responded by at once sending a cable to President Bela- Gnde Terry. Later it turned out that the report was unfounded. The military council, up to April 16, the date of Bertrand Russell's cable had not yet met.
The text of Bertrand Russell's ap-
peal is as follows:
"To President Belatinde Terry:
"A heavy responsibility lies with
you which will affect and determine your
place in the history of Peru and Latin
America. Enlightened opinion of all polit-
ical persuasions is united in its profound
concern for the life and well-being of
Hugo Blanco. I appeal to you in the name
of decency to grant Hugo Blanco an amnesty.
Above all I appeal to you to prevent his
execution which will be an event unparal-
lelled in its injustice and outrage. If
you release Hugo Blanco and protect his
life, you will do your government a great
service and will earn the gratitude of
humane people everywhere.
"I appeal to you urgently and per-
sonally to release a great Peruvian who
is esteemed by mankind."
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