The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1921-11-02
SOLDIERS HANGED
IN WAR, IS CHARGE
Put to Death on Gallows,
Without Trial. Declares p
Senator Watson.
SAYS HE HAS PHOTO
Sweeping Probe Is Ordered
and Georgian Promises
to Produce Proof. 4
TELLS OF 81 EXECUTIONS
1871
Insolence of Officers Referred
To in Speech Which Causes 5,
Furor in Upper House. 4
Special Despatch to THE New YORK HEsALn-
New York HersId Rnrean

Special Despatch to THE NEW YORK HEsMr.
New York Herald Bureau,
Washington, ID. g.. Nov. T.
The Senate to-day ordered sweep
ing investigation into charges by Sem
ator Watson (Ga.) that American SOL
diers were put to death without trial
in France during the war against Ger
many. tEBi
Following heated debate special
committee was named by Senator
Cummins Gowa), president pro tenn,
which will consist of Senator Brande-
gee Comm. Ernst (Ky.), Willis
COhio). Pomerene (Ohio) and Over
man IN. c.. 1t is instructed TO re-
port 10 the Senate whether the
charges are based on fact Senator
Watson probably VIII be the first wit
ness when the committee meets in a
day or two.
Senator watson's charges, which
passed unnoticed in the debate on the
soldiers bonus yesterday, caused SEN
sa ton when Senators read them in tho
Congressional Record this morning. The
particular paragraph of Senator Wat
sons speech which attracted the Sem :,
ate's attention follows:
How many Senators know that pri-J
vate soldier was frequently shot by his
officers because of some complaint
against officers insolence and that they
had gallows upon which men were
hanged day after day, without court
martial or any other form OF trial? How
many Sena tors know that l had and
have the photographs of one OF those
sallows upon which twenty-one white
boys had ciready been executed at sun
rise when the photograph was taken.l
and there were others waiting in tho
camp jais to be hanged morning after
morning."
Senator Few Ond.). member Of tlie
Military Affairs Committee, produced
figures from the War Department, taken
from reports OF the Judge Advocate
General OF the American Expeditionary-,
Force. which showed that the total num-
Der of death sentences in France was
twenty eight, all for non-mitary Of
fences. Only nine OF these sentences were
carried into effect, twelve were modified
/ ana seven disappeared.
Chairman Wadsworth OF the Senate
Military Affairs Committee character
ized Senator Watson's statement as
charge against the honor OF our arms. -,
ct Is a matter which cannot be lightly a
brushed aside or be excused on tho
ground of heat in debate" said Sem
| ator Wordsworth. II take this oppor--
tunity of inviting the Senator from
Georgia TO come before the Military
Affairs Committee at the earliest posi-
bic moment and produce evidence OF
any kind which will substantiate his
statement. In fact. so far as one in
dividusl Senator may do so. | demand
that he do So" >,
II will tell the Senator from New
TO shoulder. that / defy him." shouted
1 said, and / can prove It. ! have got
that picture of the gallows upon which
I say soldiers were hanged in violation
of all law. / can produce the kodak
picture hastily taken of at least one OF
the gallows upon which white men vol
unteering, as Il was said TO save civil
ization and make the world safe for
democracy. were hanged like dogs.
Il can produce witnesses II II were
safe for the witnesses to appear, 20 +.
prove that men were shot by their Off
GERS without any kind OF trial. In the
hospitals wounded men were neglected Il
The officers made courtesans of many
OF the nurses-not all OF them-but too
many OF them. In the hospitals, on tho
roadside, suffering and dying men were
treated inhumanely. and L was told 50
by the men themselves