The New York herald., 1921-12-10
FURRY OVER PROTESTS
Secretary Roosevelt Denies
Corroborating Charges of
Illegal Executions.

FRANCE. into an uproar to-day and
brought quick demand from Chair
man Brandegee for a sergeant
arms to prevent any physical clash.
For a moment the utmost confusion
prevailed. Above the din of shuffling
feet as some women hurried toward
the door, the voice OF the chairman. in
strident tones, commanded the Georgia
Senator to sit down or retire from
the room. Banging the table with
bare knuckles, the chairman soon re-
stored a seInblance of order, but there
were many heated exchanges before
the meeting broke up until Tomorrow
afternoon.
Brief, Turbulent Meeting.
Major George w. Cocheu, attached TO
the General Staff, was the officer on
whom Senator Watson launched his cral
attack. 1t happened near the close of
q brief but turbulent meeting, at which
Senator Watson'e charge that the COM
inittee "at secret session had pre-
judged the case" was characterized by
Senator Shields tTenn), Democrat
member of the committee, as untrue and
wholly without foundation.
The Senator's attack on Major Cocheu
hit the committee like a crack of light
ming. There had been no intlmation
that anything of the kind was impend-
ing. Major Cocheu, sitting next to Col.
Walter Bethel, Gen. Pershing's Judge
Advocate General in France. had not
testified, and his friends said later was
I resent in his official capacity as chief
oj the legislative branch OF the General
Staff.
Suddenly swinging on his feet and
shaking his right hand within two feet
of the Majors face the Senator. his
voice pitched high, exclaimed that "for
two pennies I'd slap your jaws" The
officer did not bat an eye,
Instantly Chairman Brandegee was
on his feet. calling for a sergeant-at-
arms to protect the officer from ian in
suit" Then, declaring that he. himself.
had been insulted. Senator Watson an
nounced that he would retire from the
meeting
Taking hold OF the situation Senator
Shields declared the committee desired
to proceed in order and suggested to
Senator Watson that he had not been
insulted.
"We expect you 10 conduct yourself
]
others TO conduct themselves toward
YOU" said Senator Shields.
Gan Insult by Looks"
"An insult can he given by looks"
Senator Watson shot back, wheeling
quickly again to face the officer. "If he
looks at me again that way Ill slap his
face. I won't sit here and be bulldozed
by these offlcers--by this bull jawed
brute"
Major Cocheu looked straight ahead
at the Senator as Chairman Brandegec
endeavored 10 get the proceedings within
orderly Senate bounds. After repeating
his command that the Senator sit down
or leave, Chairman Brandegee and SEN
ator Watson had fiery exchange as to
Just what had been promised in keeping
officers out of the room while any of the
latters witnesses were testifying.
Finally, the chairman shouted to the
Georgia Senator, asking II he wanted the
officers sent away, and on being in
formed that he did. they were told to
get out.
After that things settled down a bit.
Smiles came back to Senator Watsons
face as he explained that he wanted to
beg the pardon of the committee, if he
! had acted in an unsecmly manner He
|
there and gazing at him "in an mso-
/ lent manner" had aroused his South
! ern" blood.
The committee later decided to hear
some army officers tomorrow and
then adjourn the open sessions for n
week, so as TO examine the mass or
documents presented by Senator Wat
son. The Senator announced that he
had no witnesses on hand to-day, but
the committee agreed to summon any
body he felt could give evidence as TO
the Illegal hangings.
Denial From Roosevelt.
The first furry followed protest by
Senator Watson over the action of the
committee in confining the inquiry 20
"iIlepal hangings" The Senator in
sisted that his charges covered broader
Ground and that the committee was
attempting 10 marrow the scope of the
inquiry"
Members told tho senator, however.
that they were acting I'm entire accord
with the Senate resolution and that
II he wanted TO 20 into other fields Il
would be necessary TO go back to the
Senate for authority TO investigate
beyond the line fixed py the Senate IL
self.
Senator Watson asserted at to-day's
session that Theodore Roosevelt, Jr.
corroborates my statement that a sol
dier was shot by an officer" but this
statement was formally denied tonight
bv Assistant Secretary Roosevelt In q
letter to Chairman Brandegee In which
he offered to appear as a witness be-
fore the committee.
"At no time did make. either verb.
ally or otherwise" Mr.. Roosevelt said
these statements as reported In the
press account OF what Senator Watson
said. II have held no communication
with Senator Watson except by letter
copy OF which ! enclose"
Mr.. Poosevelt's letter to Senator
Watson. under date of November IA
1891, referred TO the execution OF O
soldier OF the Twenty-sixth Infantry In
the autumn of 1917 for rape and muir
der"