The evening herald. [volume] (Albuquerque, New Mexico) 1914-1922, 1921-12-23
SOCIALIST
RECEIVES A
XMAS PARDON
Five Former Soldiers
Also Will Be
Released

WASHINGTON, Dee. 23.-The
ten-year prison sentence Of Eu-
gene v. Debs was commuted to-
day by President Harding, and the
socialist leader win be released
Christmas day from Atlanta PEN
itentiary.
Along with Dcbs. who was con
victed in 1918 OF violation Of the
espionage law, the sentences Of %
other persons serving sentence for
violations Of war time laws were
commuted to expire also ON Christ
mas day. Five former. soldiers
serving sentences imposed by
courts martial wore pardoned.
The combinations and pardons,
were announced personally by
President Harding who took the
action in accordance with the
precedent Of extending clemency
to federal offenders at the Christ
mas season.
WASHINGTON, Dec. ga.--The sen
tence Of 10 years Imprisonment Inn
posed upon Eugene V. Debs. socialist
leader. following his conviction Of sio-
sating the espionaga act. was COM
muted today by President Harding.
Debs. who several times was a cans
didate for president. was convicted on
three counts growing Qua OF his al
legged obstructional activities during
the war. but when his appeal reached
the supreme court that tribunal acted
only upon ono---tisat dealing with the
Interference with recruiting. which
the government charges. resulted
from the speeches OF the socialist
leader.
The president also granted pardons
TO five former soldiers. effective
Christmas day.
Debs was ordered rciensed from At
lanta penitentiary by President Hard
ing along with 20 other persona con-
victed OF similar offenses.
A number of other cases involving
military crimes committed by Amerl-
can soldiers stiii are awaiting consid-
tion by the president Pardone are
likely IL their cases. OF the civilian
offenders released today. about one
third. II was said. were officers or
members OF the l. w. w. who had In
dicated change In views.
The five soldiers given full pardons
are Carl ]. Bryan. James A. O'Deli,
Roy foungblood. George Van Glider
and J. B. Richardson, all serving life
terms to which they were sentenced
while with the American army on the
kline. for the alleged killing OF
George Laneefield. former British
officer.
Among those whose sentences were
/ commuted were Charles AshleiKh a
former newspaper man and a writer
OF poetry, who was convicted at
Chicago for conspiracy under the
espionage act and given q 10 year
sentence. His sentence was com
muted upon his agreement TO accept
deportation 10 England. the country
Other prisoners released Included
orville Anderson. convicted at Dead :
wood, =. d., October 9, 1915, under
tht espionage act law and sentenced
| 10 four years; 0lovinnl Bnldaxzi.
sentenced TO 10 years after espionage
act conviction OF Chicago; David r.
Blodgeti, convicted ut Des Moines. Ia,
ana serving 20 years on charges Of
opposing the Helective service act, who
Is now in 81. Elizabeth'a hospital for
the insane for observation.
J Others given Communication were
J. 7. Cumbie. convicted at Oklahoma
city and sentenced TO six years for
violation OF the espionage act
Thomas Carey, conyic.ed at San
Z Francisco for violation OF the espion.
age act. serving two year sentence,
Joseph n. Caldwell convicted Al
Providence, X. T.. for violating ths
espionage act. serving three years
Moilck Fieron. convicted at Detroit
undor the espionage act and sentenced
for 30 years, hut already given 1
communication " sen,ence to year.