Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1921-11-23
WASHINGTON
DAY BY DAY
(From Our Special Correspondent

Washington Nov. 23.-Eugene v.
Debs, now serving a ten years sent
ence in the Atlanta penitentiary for
violation of the war measures OF
the government will have to give
thanks this year behind prison walls
if he feels SO disposed. There is to
be no Thanksgiving pardon for him.
Announcement to this effect has
been made at the White House.
Despite the many communications
and petitions that have reached the
White House and Department Of
Justice asking for the release of
Debs and other political prisoners,
the Chief Executive has not as yet
made up his mind about the action
he will take in any of the cases.
He is giving very careful atten-
ton to all the facts bearing upon
each case and when he does reach a
final decision he will deal with each
individual separately and not great
general amnesty to all the prisoners
now confined in federal institutions
"Let the American flag remain on
the Rhine. It works for the moral
disarmament of Germany"
This is the declaration made today
by NJ. BRAND, the French Premier
"The American flag on the Rhine
fights as powerfully for moral dis.
armament in Germany as the Ameri-
can troops, fought during the war to
bring about Germany's military sur
render. 1t is not the size of the
American force that counts. It is
the flag"
A good deal of criticism has been
heard in Washington as the result
Of the placing of sentries-marines
armed with muskets and bayonets-
in front of the navy building and
also in front of the Pan-American
Union where the various bodies
forming part of the conference on
the limitation of armaments are
holding daily sessions. Someone sug-
gested that they had no authority
there as the city of Washington is
not under martial law. But, au-
thority or no authority, the marines
are there in great numbers and If
you don't show your Official pass
every step or two you are likely to
get into trouble. Incidentally, some
high officers of the marine corps
have run up. against the bayonets
and muskets of the private marines.
The former have endeavored to get
by without the necessary credentials
but in each instance they have been
turnd back and told to go to head
quarters to get their passes. The
marines on duty are no respectors of
persons or of rank and the officers
Of the corps. know this.
Close examination of the four gen.
eral principles tentatively selected at
the suggestion. of Elihu Root to gov
ern the arms conference in its con-
sideration of the Chinese question
reveals that in agreeing to them, no
nation has made any concessions
whatever and that China has not
been helped in the least by the dec
laration of principles.
The four Root, points are declared
by experts on Far Eastern affairs
to be nothing but affirmation in a
general way Of principles that have
always of recent years governed the
conference nations in their Individual.
contact with China. The only new
thing about them is that they are
now made collective instead OF being
Individual agreements Of the eight
governments with China.
Three subjects on the Hughes
agenda for the conference on liml--
tation of ornaments and Pacific and
Far Eastern questions have not yet
even been taken up informally by
the conference. They are:
1. Questions relating to new agen-
cies of warfare poison gas, liquid
fire, submarines, etc.
9. Questions relating to Siberia.
8. Questions relating to electrical
communication in the Pacific.
It is understood that the problem
of electrical communication has been
settled by the United States and ia.
pan outside the conference and will
not be brought up there.
Chinese of Canton origin in the
United States are rallying to the
support of the policies Of the Chi
nese delegates to the conference on
limitation of armaments. The Chi
nese delegation in the conference
represents the Pekin government,
which is opposed by the Canton or
South China faction. Many Canton
Chinese have written the delegation
expressing approval OF its work thus
far.
Isaac Gregg