The daily times., 1921-12-28
AREIfASED1fbS
..MtYAbUSE:MERCy
'GH|R. HARDING
The Sentimentaliky Of the
Christmas Season Gave Ina
petus to the Movement for
the Release Of Dehs Who
Has Not Pledged Himself to
Remain Silent.
(By David Lawrence.)

NDy DdNlu AdWISuCc.J
Copyright, 1921, by The Daily
Times.)
Washington, Dec. 27.-Eugene ".
Debs has left behind here a trail of
mingled emotions. The administra-
tion which set him free is somewhat
sadder and wiser this morrow morn.
For both President Harding and
Attorney General Daugherty, who
have tried their gospel of under
standing in trying to convert Debs to
a life of peace instead of agitation are
not so sure that they have succeeded.
Their disposition is to say no more
about the case and hope that Debs
will not abuse the liberty that has
been given him by becoming a center
for more agitation, a rallying device
for radicalism and professional ex-
ploitation of the working classes.
The Harding administration tried
"a unique experiment-one that has
been beclouded somewhat in mystery
because of the very delicacy of the
undertaking. 1t is a fact that Debs
|could have had a pardon long ago
if he would have agreed to withdra w
the views he expressed against this
|country's entrance into the war. 1t is
a fact that he never would have been
convicted if he had not made a fiery
speech in the courtroom before the
jury going even further than ever be-
fore in his denunciation of the war
and his threats to do all in his power
to prevent Americas success by dis
'courasing enlistment
Itration has been besieged on every
side to release Debs. First it was the
radical group who believed that Debs
was wrongly imprisoned and of
course had a right to be set. free.
Then there developed sentiment
movement based mostly on arguments
, of sympathy for the advanced age OF
the socialist leader. Liberals who
themselves didn't agree with Debs'
extreme philosophy joined in the
petition for his release. Attorney Gen
eral Daugherty tried several months
ago by a personal talk with Debs in
Washington to convince the socialist
leader of the error of his views but
he failed. The administration was re-
|gretful that it could not then have
drought Debs to it's own viewpoint
land announced his release. Finally
the sentimentality of the Christmas
season gave the final impetus to the
movement for2the release Of Debs and
the administration yielded.
4 But in deciding to give Debs his
liberty. the President and the attor
iney general knew from experience
with radicals that it would be mis-
take to impose conditions on Debs-
to threaten him or use coercion il
trying to enforce silence. The answer
iof the radical is that he will never
yield to coercion and that, every mar
has liberty of action and of thought
There is a conflict of statement a.
to whether Debs came to Washington
voluntarily Or involuntarily but th'
fact is he was given transportation
Ito the national capital and arrange
iments were made in advance to giv'
him an audience at both the Whit
House and the Department of Justice
Mr.. Harding had never seen Debs
He had been told for months of tn
Wonderful personality of the age
socialist He really wanted to NEE
him and talk with him. The Presi
!dent wondered how a man OF sue
remarkable personality could hol
such subversive views. The interview
was a pleasant one, Mr.. Harding ha
nothing to say afterwards. The sc
cialist leader made no promises as
lhis future attitude. The administrs
tion merely expressed its hopes tbs
lhe would not lend himself to explo
ttation commercially or otherwise
Continued ON Page Sn.)