Perth Amboy evening news., 1921-11-03
ARMY GALLOWS
PICTURE SHOWN
Senator Watson Wants it Put
in the Congressional
Record
MAKES DRASTIC APPEAL
Stormy Scene in Senate Of
fers to Prove Soldiers Were
Executed in France

WASHINGTON, Nov 3-Letters
and kilograms from persons offer
ing to submit proof of charges that
American soldiers overseas were
hanged without trial were present
ed in the senate today by Senator
Watson, Democrat, Georgia, whose
presentation of original charges in
the senate several days ago result
ed in the appointment of a special
committee for investigation.
One OF the kilograms Senator
Watson said was from a former
major in the army and said he
could assist in substantiating the
charges" Another from a resident
Of Philadelphia offered to give two
photographs similar to that pre-
sented recently by Senator Watson
as showing a gallows. The Phila-
delphian whose name was not made
public said he saw one hanging on
the Meuse of a negro in uniform
and could supply positive proof"
of the hanging. The correspondent
did not say whether the hanging
was after a court martial or not.
In presenting his document Sena-
tor Watson with much show OF feel
ing clashed with several senators
and was reminded by Vice President
Coolidge that he should proceed in
order" and observe senate rules. The
vice president intervened when Sem
ator Watson referred to Senator
Moses, Republican. New Hampshire.
directly without use of the usual
term, 1.-The senator from New Hamp-
shire"
Senator Watson asked for inser-
ton in the Congressional Record of
photographs of alleged hangings in
the American Expeditionary Forces
published in a New Jersey newspa-
per, and Senator Moses, chairman of
the printing committee, started to
say that printing rules did not per-
nit publication of photographs when
he was cut off by Mr.. Watson who
declared the objection was coward
ly."
The Georgia senator again attack
ed Senator Wadsworth. Republican,
New York, who first called the SEN
ate's attention to Senator Watson's
charges.
1T is only few hours" said Mr..
Watson "since l was put on the
rack in a most brutal supercilious
manner by the eX-associate of Will
lam Barnes, crook"
Senator WadSworth did not reply.
Mr.. Watson said that a former
Georgia soldier was en- route here to
furnish proof of the hanging charges
and that he might appoint him as
his secretary so that he might be at
the senator's side in the chamber to
aid in proof. Senator Watson then
had the senate clerk read a large
number of letters, telegrams and
newspaper clippings into the rec
ord all reporting alleged cruelty OF
treatment of soldiers. The Georgia
senator referred to his data as "evi-
dences of confirmation"
Senator Watson said that 10000
privates of war were enlisted" with
his side and that negroes seeing the
photograph he presented would re-
sent it.
Hereafter the man who impugns
m honor" said Mr.. Watson in con-
clusion, will answer to me not only
here but somewhere else"
Senator Edge, Republican, of New
Jersey, read from the New Jersey
newspaper presented by Mr.. Watson
that the soldier whose execution was
pictured had been found guilty of
attacking a seven-year-old French
girl who had died. The discussion
ClOStu lOT tnc tiiiC az iSoSN NhNiA
Senator Edge reiterated the hope
that Senator Watson would present
evidence of his charges.
Denies Watson's Claims
CINCINNATI. o., Nov. 3-Cap-
tain w. NJ. Larner, quartermaster
corps, Fort Thomas, KY, who was
camp quartersmaster at Pierres,
France, ard directed erection OF a
scaffold, mentioned by Senator
Watson, of Georgia, in telling the
senate that twenty-one soldiers
gallows today issued statement,
gallows, today issued a statement.
denying Senator Watson's claims.
He declared that but one man had
been executed at Pierres during the
entire war, and that man, after a
regularly constituted court mar
tial.
Senator Watson has been misled
by persons who have permitted
their Imagination and craving for
publicity to overcome their better
Judgment and sincerity" said Cap
tain Larner.
THE scaffold at Pierres was
erected by me upon orders of Col.
c. L. Simmonds. Jr., commander OF
the camp at Pierres. for the execu-
tion of one man. and one man only
This man, who had been in the reg
Ilar army previous to the begin
ming of the world war. had been
tried by court martial and found
ssr,iltv of plrrdar i'm the first de-