The New York herald., 1921-11-03
'cciol Despatch to THE NEW York HERALD
New York Herald Bureau,
Washington, ID. c., Nov. 2.


Another debate broke out in the
Senate to-day when Senator Watson
(Ga.) declined to recognize the author
ity Of special committee to call him
as witness to prove his charges that
American soldiers were put to death
in France without trial.
Senator Watson denounced the atti-
tude of Senator Wadsworth IN. W
as "insolent, supercilious, contemptu-
Gus and intolerant," and declared he
would present his case in due time on
the floor of the Senate.
Il am not going to be bottled up in
any committee room and have the evil
dence entombed in some report that
nobody will read" shouted Senator
Watson. when l get through, and
it VIII take some days to gather my
testimony. what I say in answer to the
Senator from New York will be read
by millions Of people because the
newspapers will have to carry it, for
it will be good reading matter. I will
assure that"
Senator Watson called attention to
variations between the statements OF
Senator Wadsworth and Secretary of
War Weeks.
"The Senator said that all the Ameri-
can soldiers executed in France could
be counted on the fingers of one hand"
he said. THE Secretary Of War doubted
that figure. Who is right?"
To-day's outburst was precipitated by
the introduction Of n resolution by Sena-
tor Brandegee Comm, giving to the
special committee authority to make a
thorough Investigation of Senator Wat
sons charges. In appointing the COM
mittee yesterday, the Senate had failed
10 confer adequate powers upon 1t and
Mn Brandegee's resolution was intended
to correct this defect.
Senator Reed (Mo) hastened to Sena-
tor Watson's defence. He said the pro-
posed investigation would be a very
grave mistake" and predicted that the
Senate on further consideration would
abandon the plan. He objected to the
proceeding because II suggested the set
ting up of committee to censor re-
marks made by Senators In the Senate.
IF this is to be a precedent, every
time a Senator makes some remarks
here that some other Senator does not
like. we will have a special committee
to investigate him." said Mr.. Reed.
Senator Brandegee retorted that there
was no intention of placing Senator
Watson ION trial." but he insisted It
was the duty of the Senate to establish
the accuracy or inaccuracy of such grave
charges as those made by the Georgia
Senator.
IF II is not true, IL is the most in
famous scandal ever whispered about the
army" said Senator Brandegee. 'Tf II
is not true 1t is an insult Of the flag and
to the honor of the country. If It is
true, the officers who ordered the hang
ing of men without trial are murderers
and they should be hunted down and
themselves hanged"
Senator Lodge insisted that Senate
committee could summon n Senator as a
witness with entire propriety. He re-
called that Senators were summoned In
the lobby investigation and In the sugar
scandal investigation
Senator Watson rose and with consid-
erable heat demanded to be heard on a
question of personal privilege.
"rhe Senator from Ma ssachusetts has
attempted TO put me in the same cate
CORY with men taking bribes," he said.
II am not going TO dodge the issue, but
| am going to fight It out here on the
floor OF the Senate squarely and openly
High ranking army officers who served
In France are n unit in denouncing Sena-
tora Watson's statements. They agree
that an investigation. II conducted, would
show the charges without foundation.
Army officers in high posts OF the War
Department will not discuss Senator
Watson's charges for publication in
Difference TO the Secretary of War. who
already has outlined the view of the de-
partment In n brief statement, In which
the charges were stamped as absurd and
without any basis.
The War Departments position is that
American soldiers who were put TO death
met such death only after trials by
courts-martlal and reviews OF the cases
hy superior officers OF high rank.