The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-04-24
COMMITTEE VOTES FOR CONF FIRMATION
 OF NEW GENERALS
Edwards Only Nominee on List Under Fire, But Attacks By Democrats Prove of
 No Avail
Rr AssocIated rress

Washington. April 22---Despite sons democratic objection to Brig. Gen. Clarence R. Edwards, the Senate mfii- mend confirmation of the IF major ana 14 brigadier generals nominated res gently by President Harding for promotion
 General Edwards. who commanded the Twenty-sixth (New England) di- vision overseas uatil relieved by Geu- eral Pershing and returned home. was the only nominee on the list under fires The committee vote on his name today was reported to have been 12 to g.. with three democrats opposing and three others voting for his confirms < tion Those said to have opposed Gen- eral Edwards included Senators Hitch- cock, Nebraska, and McKellar, Tennes1 see. Senators Robinson of Arkansas and Myers of Montana, democrats, wera reported to have joined the republican, committee members in supporting hiu1-
 Senators Sheppard of Texas anA Fletcher of Florida, the other demo- crats on the committee, declined to in- dicate their action.
 PLAN FURTHER FLIGHT
 Democratic opponents of General Eld1 wards whose narne headed the list cd nominees for major general, intimaced they would carry their fight to tha Senate floor. No fi1ibusters 1t was said, would be waged, but record vote, at least, would be demanded. Republicans predicted that the entire list of general officers would be rati- fled promptly by the Senate, thereby paving the way for dozen more promotions to the rank of brigadisrs many other promotions down through the whole service and for saAect&em e4 chief of staff.
 Members of tho Senate eeumitfU10p~ pressed the belief that General Nd- wards would not be chosen chief oG staff after todays meeting at which Secretary Weeks was called in again for further discussion of General Ed- wards record. Major General Harbord. according to opinion of prominent republican senators, will be selected chief of staff to succeed Maj. Gen. Peyton C. March.
 Information submitted today by Sec- cretary Weeks regarding General Ed- wards record was given in executive session. Members of the committee said that 1t disclosed instances of dff- ferences between General Pershing and General Edwards over the latter's course in commanding the Twenty- sixth division in France.
 NO RECORD OF CHARGES
 Secretary Weeks however was res ported to have declared emphatica1ly to democratic senators opposing Gen. eral Edwards promotion that a thor ough search of the war department files had been made without finding any record of such charges as demo- cratic senators said that they undar- stood were on fila
 Secretary Weeks. according t0 -cun- mittee members. was said Co have testified today after their opposition developed at yesterdays committee meeting against General Edwards, he had talked over the case last night with General Pershing The latter. it was said, told Secretary Weeks, that he had not recommended General Ed- wards for promotion, and, if called on to act again, would not now recom- mend General Edwards for higher rank. Secretary Weeks was said to have stated also that General Pershing did not now disapprove or oppose Gen. eral Edwards confirmation, desiring to refrain from intervening in the matter.
 Information given to the committees today by Secretary Weeks. according to committee members was to the ef- feet that events which led to relief of General Edwards from command of the Twenty division on Octo- Der 22. 1918, had their inception during the previous July. The order relieving General Edwards from command came, it was said on the day before his di- vision went into action. The commit tee was told, 1t was said, that General Edwards had criticised decisions re- garding strategy emanating from gen- eral headquarters.
 Another circumstance said to have been involved was that of harmonious
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