The New York herald., 1921-12-27
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 81. 1921.
The Release of Debs.


Somebody in Washington may know
exactly why EUGENE V. DEBs was re-
leased from prison, but the American
people are very much in the dark
about 1t. Moreover. they would like
to know the reason.
Surely DEBs was not wrongfully
convicted. We have nevor heard a
denial. from DERs or any Of his
supporters, that he was guilty Of
violating the espionage act, of at
tempting to obstruct recruiting, Of
seeking to incite insubcrdination and
disloyalty in the army-il short, Of
doing all he could to injure the
United States at a time when such
action was tantamount to aiding the
enemies of the United States.
Surely the sentence imposed upon
DEBs was not too severe. Ten years
for crime partaking of the nature
Of treason is short term. Life i'm
prisonment would not be an uniting
penalty for such an offense.
Surely DEBs was not in the same
class with prisoners who have been
freed because of broken health.
When he came out Of prison his
friends congratulated him on his fine
appearance. AS for his being an "old
man." phrase applied TO him in
sympathy, sc Is not old for either a
lively good man or lively bad one.
Has DEBs had change of heart?
There is no evidence of II. He has
spoken no word of regret for what
he did. He has uttered no assurance
that II he had again the opportunity
of which he took evil advantage he
would not do exactly what he did in
Americas time of peril.
In some quarters the release of
DEBs was referred to as If 1t was
merely incidental to general am
nesty. But there has been no gen
eral amnesty. There could be none
unless the Government had released
the men who are in prison for purely
military offenses as well as those
who are there for political offenses.
Men who went to France and be-
cause Of temperamental defects or
physical weaknesses were guilty of
.nsubordinatfon, drunkenness, sleep
ing on post or desertion--they are
still in prison, at least great num-
ber of them.
But DEBs, who not only did not go
10 France but who tried to prevent
the sending of soldiers to France, is
free! In his case there can be no
plea of temperamental defect, physi-
cal weakness or lack of intelligence.
His admirers point to him as a man
His personal charm is dwelt upon, as
IL that worked to mitigate his crime.
BENEpIcT ARNOLD had all that per-
sonal charm and, besides, genuine
grievance; but he is not forgiven.
AS the New York Times very truly
says, the release of DEBs "is Lotice
TO all persons that the United States
will not seriously punish the most
perilous assailants of its safety and
life. At the worst they will only
have to be immured for a little while.
Then, IL their friends make hubbub
enough, a gracious act of mercy will
open the doors of the prison" Prob
ably we shall see the effects of this
bad example. Admirers OF other
malefactors will organize clnques
wherewith TO assail the ears of Off
cials. The hubbub system Of jsil de-
livery has had an auspicious start.
The American people in their won
der are looking toward the Depart
ment of Justice for whatever II may
say in explanation. The Attorney Gen
eral sent for DEBs some months ago,
and DEBs's first stop after leaving
prison is Mr.. DAuGHERrY's Office. Pre-
sumably It was upon the advice OF the
Governments chief counsel that Ex-
ecutive clemency was extendef~ TO
DEBs. So 1t is from Mr.. DAuGIrEErY's
offlce rather than from the White
House that the explanation of
DErs's release should come II one
ever comes from anywhere.
The American people themselves
are not deceived about DEBs, no mat.
ter TO what extent DEBs bamboozles
others. They know that Behind the
mask OF a soft speaking Socialist
there is an evil man. The sentimental
talk which oozes from DEBs does not
fool persons Of common sense. wher
DEBs comes out of prison and makes
a speech about devoting mis- life t.
freeing convicts everybody with (
memory recalls that DEBs devote,
Ibis life IN the early days 81 the wa