The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1919-07-26
EX- DER SAYS
 PERSHINC ERRED
 ABOUT CRUELTIES
If A. K. E. Commander Lied Depends on Whether
 He Knew Better.
CONDITIONS CLOSE
 TO HEADQUARTERS
Meeting of Investigation Committee At Fort Jay
 on Tuesday.

New York, July PC - James W. Beckman formerly a sergeant-major with the American Expeditionary Forces who had previously made statements concerning brutaIittes practised in army prison camps in France said here yesterday:
 Gen. March told the committee fact which every one familiar with military responsibility knows - that Gen. Pershing is responsible.
 When Gen. Pershing replied that the terrible conditions alleged and proved happened only in November and December of 1918 and but a few were guilty he stated a falsehood. Whether Gen. Pershing lied depends upon whether he knew differently. If he did not Enow dffs-fently he con- victs himself as incompetent and false to his trust for Gen. O'Ryan reported these conditions to Gen Pershing's headquarters in August 1918, and urgently requested that they be brought to his attention The crimes alleged have been proven to have existed the larger part of 1918 and even into 1919.
 This state of affairs existed so close to Gen. Pershing's headuuarters that there Is no excuse or defense he
 
 them or not having stopped them. Moreover, Gen. March testified before the committee that the light sentence of three years given to the notorious Hard Boiled Smith was cut in half upon Gen. Pershing's recommenda- ton. Was Hard Boiled Smith the goat for Gen. Pershing, and was Gen. PershinE trying to save him? The Generals own answer will be inter esting, to say the least.'
 Washington, July 26-The sub committee Investigating prison condi- tons has decided to hold a meeting nest Tuesday morning at 1O:30 o'clock at Fort Jay. N. Y, to give an oppor- tunity to prisoners there who were former guards at American prison camp in France to testify. This was agreed to yesterday upon learning it would be inconvenient to transport these prisoners to Washington. Chairman Royal C. Johnson said today the subcommittee is determin- ed to find out who is responsible for conditions of brutality, no matter who he is.
 The subcommittee will be at the Hotel McAlpine during the afternoon and hold a meeting. Mr.Johnson re- fused today to disclose it's nature, but indicated there was an important mat , ter to be investigated. Aug. the body will sail for France to investi- gate expenditures and conditions among the A. F. F. forces in France. Col. William s. Weeks, until about five weeks ago Executive Officer in ! the office of the Judge Advocate i General of the Army, has been ap- pointed President of the C1emency 1 Board in that office, to succeed Lieut.. Col Samuel T. Ansen, who resigned from the army last week. Col. Weeks is a close personal friend of Col. AnseL The appointment of an An sell supporter to the position came as somewhat of a surprise in military circles.
 Col Weeks is q New Yorker. He was appointed to West Point by the late Representative Serene E. Payne, and was graduated with the class of 1905. He is a member of the New York bar. He was graduated in law at West Virginia University in the class of 1912. He is a Major in the Regular Army.