The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1921-04-24
INVESTIGATION OF
GENERAL EDWARDS
OVERSEAS RECORD
DEMOCRATS OPPOSE PROMOTION
BECAUSE HE WAS RELIEVED
OF GOING INTO ACTION ON
WESTERN FRONT.

Washington, April 23.-Despite some
democratic objection to Brig. Gen. Clar-
ence r. Edwards, the senate military
committee today voted to recommend
confirmation OF the ~ majors and IA
brigadier generals nominated recently
by President Harding for promotion.
General Edwards, who commanded
the 26th New England) division over
seas until relieved by General Persh-
ing, and returned home. was the only
nominee on the list under fire. The
committee vote on his name today was
reported TO have been 12 to 3, with
three Democrats opposing and three
others voting for his confirmation.
Those said TO have opposed General
Edwards included Senators Hitchcock,
Nebraska. and McKellar Tennessee.
Senators Robinson Of Arkansas and
Meyers of Montana, Democrats, were
reported to have joined the Republi-
can members in supporting him. Sena-
tor Sheppard Of Texas. and Fletcher
of Florida, the other Democrats on the
committee, declined to Indicate their
vote.
Democratic opponents Of General Ed
wards. whose name headed the list OF
nominees for major general, intimated
they would carry their fight to the sem
ate floor. No filibuster, II was said,
would be waged. but a record vote, at
least. il was declared. would be de-
manded. Republicans indicated that
the entire list of general officers would
be promptly ratified by the senate,
thereby paving the way for "a dozen
more promotions to the rank of briga-
dier general, many other promotions
down through the whole service, and
for selection of chief of staff.
Members of the senate committee eN-
pressed the belief that General Ed
wards would not be chosen chief Of
staff, after today's meeting at which
Secretary Weeks was called again for
further discussion of General Edwards
record. Major General Harbord, ac.
cordng to opinion Of prominent Re-
publican senators, will be- selected chief
Of staff. To succeed Major General Pey-
ton c. March.
All of the nominations Of general Of
ficers along with that of Charles G.
Dawes, of Chicago, TO be n brigadier
general on the reserve list, will be sub
mitted to the senate Monday. No oppo-
sitlon was expected to the Dawes nom
nation.
Information submitted today by Sec
rotary Weeks regarding General Ed
wards record. was given in executive
session. Members of the committee
said that II disclosed existence of DIFF
fcrcnces between General Pershing ana
General Edwards over the latter's
course In commanding the Goth diviS-
ion In France. Secretary Weeks, how
ever, was reported TO have declared em-
phatiCally to Democratic senator's OPP
posing Edwards promotion that a thor
ough search of the war department files
had been made without finding any
record OF such charges as Democratic
senator's said that they understood were
on file.
Secretary Weeks, according to com.
mittce members, was said to have tes-
titled today that after opposition de-
veloped at yesterdays committee meet.
ing against General Edwards he had
talked over the case last night with
General Pcrshing. The latter II was
said told Secretary Weeks that he had
not recommended General Edwards for
promotion. and Il called on again, would
not'now recommend Gen. Edwards for a
higher rank. Secretary Weeks was said
to have stated also that General Per.
shing did not now dsapprove or OPP
pose General Edwards confirmation,
desiring to refrain from intervening IN
the matter.
Information given To the commit-
tee today by Secretary Weeks. accord
ing to committee members, was To the
effect that events which led to relief
Of General Edwards from command Of
the 26th division, on october %. 1915
had their inception during the previous
July. The order relieving General Ed
Continued on Page Two)