Norwich bulletin., 1921-11-02
Watson Started a Show in the Senate
By Charging That U. s. Sol diers Had Been Hanged in France Without Trials.

Washington, Nov. 1.-Flat charges by Senator Watson; democrat, Georgia, that many American soldiers in the A. E. F.. had been hanged in France with out court martial or other trials, stirred up storm in the senate today which re- suited in the adoption by unanimous vote of an order for an investigation at which the Georgia senate will be asked to present proof of his charges.
 A special committee headed by Sena- tor Brandegee, republican, Connecticut was appointed to male the inquiry after Senator Watson had refused to present his charges before tht 0enate military committee, because he gaid, it was not impartial. Other senators appointed on the Investigating committee were Ernst Kentucky and Wnis Ohio. republi- cans, and Oveman, of North Carolina democrat. Senator Pomerene, democrat Ohio, also was appointed to the com mittee but was unable to serve and an- other democrat in his place will be se- lected tomo1 ~ow. None of the commit tee. by agreement, are members of the military committee. The first meeting will be held tomorrow but only to decide upon procedure and hearings will go over for several days
 Bitter exchanges between Senator Watson and Chairman Wadswdrth of l lIie HI lldTy COHlnlttee ana other re- l publicans marked the debate which pre- ceded the vote for an impartial inquiry into the charges. Senator Wadsworth denied vigorously that any American soldiers had been executed without trial while Senator Watson reiterated em- phatically his charges and when criti- cised for refusing to present his evi- dence to the military committee agreed to submit 1t to some other Investigating body.
 A photograph of a structure. whicr Senator Watson described as a gallow. from which Americans had been execut ed, figured prominently during the heat | ed exchanges. Senator Borah. renublt can. Idaho, said he also had been showr that or a similar photograph. hut tha he did not regard the evidence suficien to warrant bringing the matter to tn attention of the senate or country al though two former service men hat vouched for its authenticity.
 Senator New. repubi ican. Indiana. on tered the debate to submit information which he said he had received from tn war departmert to the effect that of tn members of the A. F. F. who had beet condemned by court martial only min had been executed, whereas Senate | Waston had said that at least 21 ha
 been hanged. many without having bee
 tried, from the gallows which he sai
 was shown i in tSe photograph.
 Examination of army records made to
 day by Secretary-W Weeks revealed tha
 none of the men executed in France dur
 ing the war was charged with a militar
 offense. desertion or cowardice or aidin the enemy. The total nunaler of execy
 lions by the army. he said was ter
 There was no executions, the secretar
 said. until after careful and searchin
 inquiry and a full trial.
 In each of the ten cases. it was dt
 clared. the sentence of the court wa carried out. Six were on charges ( rape. three for rape and murder an one for murder and assault with inter to rape. All were aggravated cases, was explained.
 The secretary asserted that no inquir had been received by him. or to h : knowledge. by the department. as to u
 accuracy of the charges before the
 were made by Senator Watson.