Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1921-12-24
WARDENS TOLD
TO RELEASE "a
WAR PRISONERS
Daugherty Wires Orders
From Washington to Va
rious Federal Prisons.

Washington, Dec. 24.-Telegrams
were sent out today by Attorney Gen
eral Daugherty formally advising
wardens of the various federal peni-
tentiaries of the Christmas commuta-
ton by President Harding of "a
fenses, including Eugene V. Debs,
Socialist leader.
The telegrams informed the ward
ems that the sentences of the "a
persons had been commuted to expire
Christmas day. Department of JUS
tice officials said that while all of the
prisoners, including the five former
sued, also could be released at mid
night tonight. But the hour of .re-
lease was a matter for the wardens
to decide. The wardens, it was said,
doubtless will be guided by the wishes
of those benefiung, from the presi-
Dental clemency. {.
Dchs to Go Homo.
Atlanta, Ga. Dec. 24--Preparatf6ns;
for the release from Atlanta, federal
penitentiary of Eugene v. Debs,
Socialist leader, convicted in 1913 Of
violation of the espionage law, whose
ten year sentence was commuted yes
terday by President Harding. effective
Christmas day. today awaited official
dOplceS lTOI1 WaSH1H
Expectations that the Socialist
leader, who is serving a ten year
term for violation of the espionage
law, would be released brought his
brother. Theodore Debs, and David
karstner here yesterday. but it was
said they did not see him during the
day. "
Debs himself was not told of the
news over night. according to j. E.
Dxyoh I'd tho nanitontio
who sal dhe waited for direct orders
from Attorney General Daugherty be-
fore brcaching the subject to the
prisoner.
Plans were made for the Socialist
leader to go directly to his home at
Terre Haute. Ind, on release. where,
after a brief rest with his family. he
course. He has indicated in the past
that he would continue his activities
for his party.
Terre Haute, 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 communication grant
cd by President Harding would not
become effective until Sunday. The
reception had been planned in the
hope that the announcement of ciem-
ency would mean his immediate re-
lease.
The committee on arrangements an
nounced that a general celebration
would be held as soon as possible aft
er the arrival of Mr.. Debs.
Otto Bransetter, secretary of the ma
tional Socialist organization. will ar
rive in Terre Haute today and will re-
main to personally greet Mr.. Debs on
his return to his home.
! Washington, Dec. 2S.-Eugene Y.
Debs, former socialist candidate for
president, serving a sentence OF ten
years at Atlanta penitentiary for vio-
lating the espionage act, and 2s other
persons convicted on various charges
of hindering the government during
i the war with Germany, received today
from President Harding Communication
of sentences, to become effective
! Christmas day.
At the same time. five former Amer.
lean soldiers serving life sentences,
/ pronounced by a military court for
| the murder Of a British officer while
serving with the american army on
the Rhine. received full pardons, ef-
| fective Christmas day.
! The action was taken after the de-
| partment of justice had studied sepa-
! rately the cases OF .1S7 persons serV-
| ing sentences for violating wartime
laws and after Attorney General
Daugherty had discussed the situation
at length with President Harding, who
1 was said to be desirous. II possible OF
granting some pardons for Christmas
The communications 1t was explain
ed, did not operate to restore citizen
| ship revoked by TIE felony convic.
tions, but the pardons do.
!; Several OF the civilian offenders viii
/; be deported to the European countries
1 of their nativity, two are under oh.
i servation at hospitals for insane. and
others now are out on paroles which
were granted by President Wilson. An
nouncement of the action taken wa:
4 made personally by Presidentl Hard
4 ing. a
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