South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1921-12-24
WAR OFFENDERS.
INCLUDING DEBS.
RECEIVE PARDON
Socialist Leader Finishes Paw
ing Penalty for Cannon
Fodder Speech.
CITIZENSHIP WITHHELD
Release of Four-Time Presi-
Dental Candidate viii
Come Christmas.

WASHINGTON. Dee. Eugene
v. Debs. former socialist candidate
for president serving "a sentence OF
ten years az Atlanta peuiteutiary
for violating the espionage act and
23 other persons convicted on war;
Gus other charges OF hmdering the
government during The war VITA
Germany, received Friday from
Prest Harding combinations OF
sentences to become effective Christ
mas day. AT the same time nve for
mer American soldiers serving lie
sentences pronounced by "a military
court for the murder Of a British
officer while serving with the Amer
lean army on the Rhine, received
fun pardons, effective Christmas
day.
The action was taken after the de-
Fartment Of justice had studied sep
arateIy the cases of 19T persons
serving sentences for violating war
time laws and after Atty. Gen.
Daugherty had discussed the situa-
ton at length with Pres't Harding.
who was said 20 be DESTROYS. II pos
sible, of granting some pardOns for
Christmas
Citizenship Not Restored.
The communications. it was ak
planned. do not operate TO restore
citizenship lost by the felony convic-
tions, but the pardons do. Several
Of the civilian offenders will be de-
ported 10 the European countries of
their nativity two are under obser-
yatiOn at hospitals for insane. and
others are now out on paroles which
were granted by Prest Wilson.
Announcement OF the action taken
was made personally by Prest Hard
ing late Friday.
Sentenced i'm 1919.
Utterances which resulted in Debs'
conviction were contained IN
speech at Canton, Ohio, June is.
1918. Mr.. Debs offered no evidence
in his defense and made his own adj
dress 20 the jury IN the trial az
Cleveland IN Sept, 1915. when
Federal Judge Westenhaver pro-
nOunced sentence, Debs' only state
ment was that "all viii work ou-
well In Gods own good time"
Friends of Debs began imm edtately
TO save him from prison. His case
was carried 90 the supreme court OF
the United States and conviction on
one count affirmed, Mar. 10. 1919.
A few weeks later another effort was
made and a rehearing Of the case
asked Of the highest court. IL failed
and on Apr. -. 1913. he was taken
20 AIoundsviue. w Va. prison. there
20 begin his sentence. Two months
later. however. he was transferred 20
the federal prison at Atlanta.
Debs' friends did not despair de-
spite the hnal legal action Appeal
after appeal was made 90 Prest WI
son but ne turned a deaf ear % the
petitions. saying as he did so that
70 release Debs would be 20 impair
seriously the morale OF the people.
Atty. Gen. Palmer sent 20 the pres
ident a recommendation for the par
don of Debs. but 1Ir. Wilson again
declined.
Appeal 60 Harding
with the incoming OF the Hard
ing administration. renewed efforts
were made TO obtain cIemeucy oc
the socialist party head Mr.. Hard
ing gave no definite answer but
there were Indications hat the ad-
ministrau0n was glv serious
consideration % the rpeal and
then a ray OF hope Broke Tor the
followers Of Debs. for about Apr
Mr. Harding ordered a review or
the case by the department Of
justice.
Then, q was that Debs came from
Atlanta 20 washington. ursnnounc-
ed and unattended for conference
with Atty Gen Daugherty Hs
slipped into the city qs-e-Iy held "a
-~-~-~~~~----~--~---~-~---