Norwich bulletin., 1921-12-24

Washington, Dec. 23.-The sentence of ten years imprisonment imposed upon Eugene V. Debs. socialist leader, follow ing his conviction Of violating the esDion- act was commuted todsy by President Harding
 Debs was ordered released from Allan "a penitentiary by President Harding along with twenty-thTee other persons convicted of similar offenses.
 Along with Mr. Dehs. who. was con victed n 1918 of violation of the espion age law. the sentences O. twenty-three other persons serving sentence for viol iations of wartime laws were cOmmuted Co expire also on Christmas day. Five former soldiers serving sentences imposed by courtsmartial were pardoned.
 Prisoners Released.
 Prisoners released included Orviile An derson. convicted al D-advood. s. D., Ger B. 1918, under the espionage law. and sentenced to four years; Giovanna Baldazzi. sentenced to ten years after espionage act conviction at Chicago i; David T Biodgett, convicted at Des Noines h.. and serving twenty years on charges Of on0os'nE the seloctive service acf who is now in St. Elizabeth's hospi- tai for insan- for observation.
 Others given communication were J. T. Cumbie. convicted at Oklahoma City and sentenced 10 six years for violation of the espionage act: Thomas Carey. convicted ai San Francisco for violation of the espionage act. serving a two year sen- teuce: Joseph M. Caldwell. convicted at Providence. R. l.. for violating the espion- age act. serving three years; Mojicl1 Fie- ron. convicted at Detroit undtr the es- p.onsEe act and sentenced to twenty years huf already given a communication or sentence to five years by President Wilson
 Claus Frcese, who was sentenced at Fl paso. Tex. Co five years at Leavenworth f1- ienartinE from the United States un- lawfully in time Of war in an attempt to scu the German consulate in Mexico plans of new gun similar 10 those de signed for use by the United States army Ed Hamilton convicted at Chicago Aug 90. 1918 and sentenced 10 ten years uu- fer the espionage act: William J. Head sentenced at Sioux Falls. N. D.. in 191I Tor violating the espionage act Gustav, n. Jacobsen. convicted al Chicago and sentenced Co three years for attempting To set on foot n military enterprise ir India aga Inst Great Britain during fh, war: Mrs. Ideil Kennedy of Los Angeles f'al.. sentenced 10 ten years for attempt Ing Co cause insubordnation and refusa nf duty among seiective service ufer. Jack Law, convicted at Chicago for vio iaiinE The espionage act and sentenced t ten years. John L. Murphy, sentenced t I've years at Sacra mento. Cal. under tn 'sfsonage act; Wauer Phillips. convicte st Oklahoma City for hindering the SC iecf.ve service law and sentenced to tel years, although he was released on pa role Jan. 10. 1921 by President Wilson mi fo f1 bringing aliens into the United States uu lawfully In time Of war; Albert B. Prash ner sentenced 10 ten years in 1918 afte conviction at Chicago Tor violating th rernnars act; William Schumann,~ cor Nictrd at Fort Dodge la. under the e rIunaEe act and sentenced to five years lorfnh A. Schur and Maurice l.. Snitkil both serving six year terms 10 which the we're sentenced st Indianapolis in 19l for violations of the espionage act; Ar thory J. Stopa- sentenced to twenty veal after conviction at Detroit on charges ohsrrucfinE cniistments and H. l.. Trt lease convicted at Fargo in 1919 of e rionaGe law violation and sentenced two years.
 Fuii Pardons for Fire Soldiers.
 Tho five soldiers given full psrdons al Carl J Bryan. James A. O'DeH, Rc NounEhiood. George Vangilder and J. Richardson. all serving life terms. which they were sentenced while with Il American army on the Rhine for the a fc-ed Si1liru Of George I.apeefield fo mrr Eritish officer.
 Tie commufa tions it was cxplaine do not operate 10 restore citizenship To by the felony convictions. but the pa ions do. Several Of the civilian offende will De denort@d to the European con tries 1f their nativ ,y. two are under o scrvariQn at hospitals for insane. al others arc now out on paroles whi were granted by President Wilson
 Tne list in the main" said an exec tive statement given out a. the Whi Mouse. -is made up of those who O posed rhe war In one way or another, al ts made un of less than third of L ' W prisoners, and these have either Q fressed fuu penitence or are booked f deportation. The department of justi 1as given no recommendation Tn behs 1f the advocates of sabotage or the q s.ruction of government by force. a the president let it be known he VOL not consider such cases. In addition the five soldiers on the list many oth sases are under consideration.
 "No comment was made by the pre- lent on the case of Debs. The preside and the attorney general had given we extended consideration to the Debs I .ition. and it is known that the fact tf he had twice been the presidential non hoe Of a million of voters had it's inf snce in reaching a decision favorable lis release.
 The president expressed the wish tt he stated that the grant of clemen h the cases acted upon does not uu Ton the justice of any action of courts in enforcing the law in a time national peril. but he feels the ends Justice have been fairly met in view he changed conditions. The vast n iority Of so-cailed political prisoners S imprisoned are the l. w W. group, rarely American citizens and have rcod claim to executive clemency.
 lumber of convicted citizens have ne ieen imprisoned. owing to appeals un, lond There are also many thousands Indictments under war legislation s lending. These do not come under
 icutive consideration.
 Statement of the Debs Case.
 A supplementary White House sta nent on tho Debs case further amplif ile view taken by the president.
 There is no question of his guilt Stat he actively and purposely obstruc hc draft" this statement said. Tn fs le admitted it at the rial but sought usIfy his action. He was by no mea ioWeyer. as rabit and outspoken in
 expressions as many others, and but