Evening star., 1921-11-03
PROOF Of HANGING
AMERICAN SOLDIERS
OFFERED TO SENATE
Watson Receives Many Com
munications From Persons
Willing to Aid Probe.
EXECUTION ON MEUSE
WAS WITNESSED BY ONE
Philadelphian Claims to Have
Photographs of Gallows-Session
Marked With Clashes.

Letters and kilograms from persons
Offering to submit proof of charges
that American soldiers overseas were
hanged without trial were presented
In the Senate today by Senator Wat
son. democrat. Georgia, whose presen-
tation Of the original charges in the
Senate several days ago resulted in
appointment of a special committee
of investigation.
One of the kilograms. Senator Wat
son said. was from a former major in
thte Army and said he>could assist
in substantiating the charges" An
other. from resident of Philadelphia.
offered to give two photographs SINH
lar 10 that presented recently by
Senator Watson as showing a gal
lows. The Philadelphian. whose name
was not made public by the Georgia
senator. said he saw one hanging on
the Meuse. of negro in uniform, and
could supply positive proof" of the
hanging. The correspondent did not
say whether the hanging was after d
court-martial or not.
Several Clashes.
In presenting his documents Sen
ator Watson. with much show of feel
and was reminded by Vice President
Coolidge that he should proceed in
order" and observe Senate rules. The
Vice President interviewed when Sen
ator Watson referred to Senator
Moses. republican. New Hampshire
directly. without use of the usual
term. 'the senator from New Hamp-
shire"
Senator Watson asked for insertion
in the Congressional Record Of photo
II r nf al ~ah hop ertn in I,a
American eXpeditionary forces, pub
lished in New Jersey newspaper.
and Senator Moses. chairman of the
printing committee. started to say
publication of photographs. when he
was cut off by Mr.. Watson. who de
clared the objection was .'cowardly."
The Georgia senator again attacked
Senator Wadsworth. republican. New
York. who first called the Senate
attention to Senator Watson's
charges.
>-'a7 Witness En- Route Here. =
"It is only few hours" said Mr.
Watson. 'since / was put on the rack
in most brutal. supercilious mann.r
by the ex-associate OF Willia.n
Barnes, a crook.
Mr.. Watson said that a former Georgia
soldier was en- route here to furnis'l
proof of the hanging charges and
that he might appoint him as his sec
retary. so that he might stand by the
senator's side in the chamber to aid
in proof.
Senator Watson then had Senate
clerks read a large number of let
ters. kilograms and newspaper clip
pings into the record, all reporting al
legged cruelties to, or mistreatment of,
soldiers.
Says He Has Positive Proof.
The Georgia senator referred to his
data as evidences of confirmation"
Il would be glad to disbelieve these
charges" said Mr.. Watson, "if proof
is submitted that they are not true.
l would be glad to know they are not
true"
He then added:
II can show and 1 will show that
officers had men shot with no trial
whatever. ] can show and will show
that officers told courts martial what
to do in order that the courts martial
might keep from being shot them
selves"
Action May BE Delayed.
The special committee appointed to
investigate the charges made by 6 n
ator Watson will take no further
steps in the matter. in all probability.
until the Senate has adopted a reso-
luton reported favorably from the
committee on contingent expenses.
granting the special committee the
necessary money to conduct the in
vestigation.
Senator Brandagee. chairman of the
special committee, was anxious to get
action on the resolution, but it was
feared that If the resolution was
called up it would lead to debate. and
thus delay action on the unfinished
business, which is the tax revision
bill.
Watson Issues Challenge.
Facing the republicans and showing
out his chin, Senator Watson said:
You make fight on me if you can.
if YOU dare You said you'd put my
head against the wall Come on. do
it,"
Senator Watson said that 2.n0co'n
priyates of war were enlisted with
his side and that negroes seeing Ihc
photograph he presented would re-
sent it.
thereafter the man who impugns
my honor" said Mr.. Watson in con-
clusion, will answer to me not only
here, but somewhere else