The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1921-11-04
Georgia Senator Opens Up
Soldier Hanging
DEFy|NG THE MEMBER
Issues ChaIlege Fight Against
Him; Claims Proof For
Charges
ASSOCIATED Press DISPATCH


Washington. d. c., November g.
Letters and kilograms from persons
Offering to submit proof of charges
that American soldiers overseas were
hanged without tlal, were presented
In the senate today by Senator Wat
son. democrat, Georgia, whose pres
entation OF the original charges in
the senate several days ago, resulted
In appointment of special commit
tee OF investigation.
One telegram Senator Watson said
was from a former major in the ar
my and said he could assist in sub
stantlallng the charges" Another,
from resident of Philadelphia, of-
Tered to give two photographs simila.-
to that presented recently by Senator
watson, as showing a galIows. The
Philadelphia said he saw one hanging
on the Mouse, of a negro in Uniform,
and could supply positive proor" OF
the hanging. The correspondent did
not say whether the hanging was af-
ter court martial or not.
Senator Watson clashed with sever
al senators and was reminded by Vice
PRESIDENT Coolidge, that he should
proceed in order" and observe senate
rules. =
Wants Photographs Published
Senator Watson asked for insertion
in the congressional record OF pho
tographs, OF alleged hangings in the
American expedltionary forces, pub
iahed in New Jersey newspaper,
and Senator Moses, chairman OF the
printing committee, started to say
that printing rules did not permit
publication of photographs when he
was cut off by Mr.. Watson, who de-
clared the objection was "cowaroly."
The Georgia senator attacked Sen
ator Wadswortll. republican, New
York who first called the senate"s at
Cention to Senator Watson.
1t Is only few hours" said Mr..
Watson, since / was put on the rack
in a most brutal, supercilious manner
by the ex- associate OF William Barnes
a crook"
Senator Wadsworth did not reply.
Mr.. Watson said that a former
Georgia soldier was enroute here to
furnish proof of the hanging charges.
Read Letters and Teieqrauis -
Senator Watson had senate clerks
grams and nersps5er .cIIp pins g into
the record, all reporting alleged cruel.
ties to, or mistreatment of soldiers.
The Georgia senator referred to his
data as evidences of confirmation"
WOuiu NC Sldu 70 ulSDSll6V0 Ln0S0
charges" said Mr.. Watson. eff proof
is submitted that they are not true,
would be glad to know they are not
true He then added:
II can show and l will show that
officers had men shot with no trial
whatever. l will show that officers
told court martials what to do in or.
der that the court martials might keep
from being shot themselves"
Facing the republicans and showing
out his chin, Senator Watson said:
You make a fight on me If you can,
If you dare. You said you'd put my
head against wall. Come on, do it."
Senator Edge, republican, New
Jersey, read from the New Jersey
presented by Watson, that
the soldiers whose execution were
there pictured, had been found guilty
Of attacking seven-year old French
girl, who had died. The discussion
closed, for the time at least, when
Senator Edge reiterated the hope that
Senator Watson would present evil
dence of his charges.