Release

A brief announcement from the White House ended a long discussion. Thirty-one prisoners--the last of those convicted under the Espionage Act for speaking against the Government and exciting sentiment against the draft-- were ordered released by the President.

Their cases had been considered by a committee of three, composed of ex- Secretary of War Newton D. Baker, Bishop Charles H. Brent and General J. G. Harbord (TIME, Dec. 10). This committee reported last week. In announcing commutation of the sentences of the radicals, the official announcement said that the President and Attorney General Daugherty had "decided to adopt and follow the majority recommendation of the committee." This was interpreted to mean that General Harbord did not favor the release.

When Senator Borah heard of the President's action he ejaculated: "I am delighted that the President of the United States has discovered the First Amendment of the Constitution."