The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1921-12-24
JolIifcation NJ e e ting
Planned At Terre
Haute, Ind, Called OFF
When Learned That
Order Is Not Effective
Until Sunday Soldiers
u n d er Conviction
Among Those Released
awaits Release

Atlanta. Ga. Dec. "A. Friends of
Eugene V Dpbs. the Socialist leader,
were anXiously awaiting today his re-
lc,lse from Atlanta federal peniten
tiary which latest advires from
Washington said would be Christmas
day.
Expectation that the socialist lead
er. who is serving a ten year term for
violation OF The espionage law would
be released. ba'uught his brother
Theodore Dcbs and David Kartsner.
here yesterday, but it was late in the
attrruoon Leforc definite announce
mcnt came from Washington that the
, sentence had been commuted and it
= Was said they did II see him during
the daE.
Dehs himself was not told of the
news over night. according to J. E.
liche. warden at the penitentiary,
" no said lie waited for direct orders
trom Attorney General Daugherty be-
lore preaching the subject to the
prisoner. Afternoon editions of the
newspapers. which went to the prison,
published only forecasts OF his re-
lcasc and unless the tidings were
prs scd along by guards or prisoners
Who heard new spaper men talking in
Tho trent corridors. Deba did not
learn OF his approaching release dur
ing he night
Plans were made for the Socialist
leader g. go directly to his home in
Terrc IIaute Ind. where after a brief
rest with his family he was expected
to decide on his future course. 1t has
lcen intimated in the past that he
would continue his activities for So
cialism.
Celebration Called off
Terre IIaute. Ind, Dec 24.-Prep-
arations for an elaborate Homecoming
celebration to be held today in honor
of Eugene V Debs. by Local socialists
were abandoned when it became
known that the release by order OF
President Harding 'would not become
effective until Sunday
Hugh Branstetter national secre-
tary of the Socialist party will ar
rive in Terre House today and viii
remain to personally greet Mr.. Debs
on his return to his home
WASHINGTON, Dec 24.-Teleerams
We're sent out by Attorney General
Daueherty today formally advising
wardans OF federal penitentiaries of
Christmas communications by Presi-
dent Harding of sentences of twenty
four persons convicted of wartime Of
fenses. including Eugene V. Debs. so
cialist leader The telegrams in
formed the wardens that the sen
tences had been commuted to expire
today department OF justice officials
said that while most of the prisoners.
including five former soldiers for
whom pardons We're issued also, could
be released at midnight tonight but
the hour of release WAS a matter FOR
the wardcns to decide The wardens.
it WAS said doubtless would be guild
ed by the wishes OF those benefitting
from the presidential clemcncy
Five Ex-Soldiers Pardoned
Washington. Dec 24-Five former
American soldiers serving life sen
tences for conviction by military
court OF the murder OF Il British of
tc"r while serving with the American
army on the Rhine. are among TWEEN
tF-four persons pardoned by Presi-
dent Harding, announcement of which
was made yesterday. and made after
lengthy conference with Attorney
General Daueherty, who had ordered
tho department of Justice to make
separate study OF the cases of 197
pers, rs serving sentences for vioat-
ing wartime laws. The combinations
it WAS explained, do not operate to
restore citizenship lost by felony con-
victions but the pardons do