AMERICAN NEWS

Maoriland Worker, Volume 11, Issue 449, 15 October 1919, Page 1

AMERICAN NEWS

Debs Declines to Ask Pardon

I An American correspondent of the Melbourne "Socialist" writing from Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.A., gives the interesting Information that Eugene Debs has been offered a pardon on the condition that he applies for it. Thte grand old man refuses to be tricked into what may be called "an expression' of repentance" on. his part, and says that any pardon must come unconditionally ;u>'l without any solicitation on his part. The capitiilNt press told us,, of Debs' arre-b and s>.mtenaiice; but not a word about his brilliant defence nor his latest firm stand. Of course they tel'. us that the press is not inspired. The sam e correspondent writes that strikes of great magnitude are constantly occurring, and leaders of the Gompers an_. Mitchell type are rapidly growing unpopular. A big strike of the American Seamen was won in spite of weak leaders. It seems that the hangers-on of the movement ar c all having a bad spin. Even thie League of Nations is forgotten in the industrial turmoil, and rioident Wilson contemplates giving up his Western tour to boost the Peace Treaty. Mr. Wilson has been medically advised to take a rest. The doctor got his diagnosis from industrial events, no doubt. One interesting piece of news in. the .same letter refers to th e Prohibitionists who have announced their inttention of l'.illowing up their s*iccess in making the Slates "dry" by going after coffee and tobacco. Congress has been forced to take action to reduce the cost of living, impelled by the threatening attitude of the public. Th e average American citizen is beginning to feel as ashamed of thie Peace Treaty as the Women's International Conference, the British writers who recently aeldressed the "Manchester Guardian," and every other just and intelligent human being.—G.T.S. i