Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1921-12-29
RELEASE Of DEBS
|SNOW PERPLEX|NG
To ADMINISTRATION
Harding and Daugherty Are
Not Sure 1t Was Wise to
Free Unconverted Radi-.
cal
BY DAVID LAWRENCE
Geased Wire Service to The Journal.)
(CopyriCht 1921

WASHINGTON, Dec. 2S.-Eugene
V. Debs has left behind him here |
trail of mingled emotions. The adj
minstration 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 agita-
ton 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 liber-
ty that has been given him by be-
coming a center for more agitation,
a rallying device for radicalism and
professional exploitation of the work
ing classes.
The Harding administration tried
a unique eXperiment-one that has
been clouded 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 with
draw 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 fiery speech in the court
room before the jury going even
further than ever before in mis-
denunciation- of the war and his
prevent Americas success by dis
couraging enlistment.
Sentimental Movement
For months the Harding admins
tration 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 right to be set free.
Then there developed a sentimental
movement based mostly on argu-
ment for sympathy for the advanced
age of the Socialist leader. Liberals
who themselves did not agree with
Debs' extreme philosophy Joined in
the petition for his release.
Attorney General Daugherty tried
several months ago by a-personaf
talk with Debs in Washington to
: convince the Socialist leader of the
error of his views, but he failed.
The administration was regretful
that it could not then have brought
Debs to its own viewpoint and an
nounced his release. Finally, the
sentimentality of the Christmas
season gave the final impetus to
the movement for the release of
Debs and the administration yielded.
But in deciding to give Debs his
liberty, the president and the attor
ney general knew from experience
with radicals that it would be d
mistake to impose conditions ON
Debs-for the purpose Of trying to
enforce silence.
Conflict of Statement
There is a conflict of statement as
to whether Debs came to Washing
ton voluntarily or inVoluntarily,
but the fact is he was given trans
portation to the national capital and
arrangements were made in advance
to give him an audience at both the
White House and the department of
justice.
Mr.. Harding had never seen Debs.
He had been told for months of the
wonderful personality of the aged
Socialist. He really wanted to meet
him and talk with him. The presi-
dent wondered how a man of such
remarkable personality could hold
such views. The interview was
pleasant one. Mr.. Harding had
nothing to say afterwards. The So
cialist leader made no promises as
to his future attitude. The admin
istration merely expressed it's hopes
that he would not lend himself to
exploitation. commercially or other
wise.
1t remains to be seen whether
Debs will turn to the life of agita-
ton on which he has subsisted for
generation, or whether he will re-
: ciprocate the kindness of the adj
rlfnistration by keeping quiet. 1t
involves a delicate point. II Debs
had been formally requested to re-
main silent, if he had been told his
release had been granted on the con-
OlClOQ IndC ne SLOp 1ullueI dSlldlloli,
the probabilities are that all the emo
tons of the Socialist leader would
have risen up and proud refusal
would have resulted.
No Conditions Imposed
But the administration does not
put it's hopes on that ground. 1t
has not imposed any conditions. 1t
feels that it has absolutely yielded
TO the movement for the release OF
Debs on sentimental grounds-lt has
not receded from the viewpoint eX-
pressed by the federal courts IN Or
dering his Imprisonment. Indeed,
the president and the attorney gen.
eral feel that they have risked pub
lie criticism but have done human
D thing. Will Debs do the thing for
the administration which gave him
his liberty? Will he restrain him
self and cease preaching doctrines
which his critics say would mean
the ovtrthrow Of the government by
physical force?
The administration attitude to-
day was to let the matter rest and
ask the country to witness whether
it pays to be gracious to man who
believes in undermining the social
and economic order which, for the
time being at least, is the view OF
the majority.
DEBS SAYS HE WILL
WAGE WAR ON WAR