New Britain herald., 1927-09-28
FRENCH WAR MINISTER SAYS PLEA
 OF FATHER GOT PARDON FOR DOTY
American Veteran, Desert CT From Foreign Legion, Soon to Rejoin His Par ents in Mississippi.

Paris, Sept. 2S UP)-Minister of War Paul Painleve today revealed the story of the pardon which freed Bennett J. Doty. an American, from the prison into which he had been cast after conviction of de sertlng the French Foreign Legion during last years colonial war in Syria.
 In an exclusive interview with the United Press, Painleye said that all credit for the pardon rested with l.. H. Doty, the father of the i'm priSoned soldier of fortune. A let ter from the elder Doty in Biloxi, Miss, so touched Painleve that he decided 10 recommend pardon 10 President Doumorguc, The prcsi- dent signed the pardon and but for an unexpected delay in the move mont of governmental maChirery 1t would have been announced hero during tho American Legion con Hontion as a mark Of friendship toward tn" United States.
 Served t3 Months.
 Doty was pardoned after serving l5 months of an eight year sentence for assertion. His troubles with th" French government caused tempor- &ry embarrassment last year when 1t was reported in the United States that tn" young American had been condemned to death.
 He probably will sail for New York Saturday.
 Under the name of Gilbert Clare. Doty joined tho Foreign Legion which has been described as the toughest fighting orga nization in the world. He fought with the Lo- zion against tho Druscs in Syria and distinguished himself for bravery Then Doty, tired Of the Legion had left it.
 "It was tho result of very worthy and most touching letter that l received ali the beginning of the month from Dotys father that I decided to r"-oXamine thc case. Q Painleve told the United Press to- day.
 "The father told me that his son was q little wild but had real quail tie sand that he had seriously atom ed for his faults. NJ, Doty rccogniz- cd that the charge against his son was extremely grave Lut asked the indule nco ot the French govern ment
 "That letter from father really was beautiful. IL was so touching 10 President Doumcrgue. I did so and the president signed q complete pardon,
 "l took the step on my own ini- tiative, purely as a result of the fathers eloquent appeal. II was the governments plan to announce the announce the pardon coincideStaily with the American Legion convcn- tion, but governmental machinery did noi move as quickly as had been expected. We also wanted first to notify Dotys father. For thos" req sons the pardon was not announced earlier.
 \ Friendly Gesture.
 "rhc French government was happy to pardon Doty as friendly gesture to America and as another indication of the strong friendship between the United States and France"
 Doty's lawyer, Charles Campbell, said his client had no grievance against the French because he had received excellent treatment in pris- on. Campbell expected 10 leave to- day or tomorrow for Lyons, near where Doty was confined, 10 assist him on obtaining clothing and to accompany him 10 Paris.
 "Dotys release had hec!r consid- cred for some time by the French government" Campbell told the | nit"d Press. "It was to hay" been announced during the American l."- @ion convention, but the announce mcnt was delayed.
 "Doty now is at ClairvauN mill taIy prison near Lyons in good phy- sical condition and anxious to ro- turn to' the United States to r,join his parents at Biloxi, Miss" READ HERALD CLASSIFIED ADS
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