Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1921-11-03
ILLEGAL HANG|NCS
IN FRANCE CHARGED
YSEVATOR WATSON
Wadsworth Demands That
Georgian Submit Proof Of
His Allegations = Debate
Is Hot

diers in France were hanged with
out courtmartial or other trial was
ordered Tuesday by the senate. by
unanimous vote.
The special committee as named
by Senator Cummins, of Iowa, pres
ident pro tempore of the senate, will
be headed by Senator Brandegee
Republican, Connecticut, and will
consist of Senators Ernest, Repub
lcan, Kentucky; Willis, Republican
Ohio; Overman, Democrat, North
Carolina, and Pomerene, Democrat
Ohio.
Charges by Senator Watson that
American soldiers serving in France
were hanged without urtmar-
tial or other form of trial pre-
cipitated a heated debate today in
the senate.
Senator Watson produced a small
photograph of an alleged hanging
and insisted that his charges were
true. Senator Borah, Republican,
Idaho, said he had examined the
photograph and had been told by
two former service men that the
charges were true, but that he was
unwilling to proceed on such evil
lence."
How many senators know" Sen
Rtor Watson had asked, that a pri.
waite soldier was frequently shot by
his officer because of some complaint
against officers insolence; and that
they had gallows upon which men
We're hanged, day after day, with.
out courtmartial or any other form
of trial? I had and have the photo
Of of those
which twenty-ope white boys had
when the photograph was taken; and
there were others waiting in the
camp jails to be hanged morning
after morning."
Senator WadsworthS declared that
this charge could not be lightly
brushed aside" nor Excused on the
ground of excitability in debate He
demanded that Senator Watson pro-
duce the proof.
Senator Watson replied that he re-
scented the demand" and would tell
him., foot to foot, and shoulder to
shoulder" that he was 'the equal OF
any senator" and assumed full re-
sponsibility for his charges. He
said he would refuse to go before
any COlHIu1II66 Will Ills SfA0ClSCs VI
to produce his witnesses unless they
were guaranteed immunity
81 mean every word said," he
added, land I did not over paint
the picture. I have a photograph
of the gallows upon which white
soldiers were hanged and I can pro-
duce witnesses who saw it, if it is
safe for them to appear"
q go, ~ xryhi hnT1OnA
like dogs. I can produce men II
it were safe who Saw men shot with
out trial. I cannot compel men to
come here and incur the danger.
ST say that food was piled up
mountain high in France and vir-
tually given to the French when our
men were starving. can prove
that our men We're unnecessarily eX-
posed and left to die on the road. ]
know ex-service men who saw these
things and told me about them. Told
me how letters were censored and
sterotyped to conform to regula-
tons, and how soldiers who would
not comply were subjected to bar
barous treatment.
"These men will not go back to
Europe again to fight. have heard
them state they would die before
they would do so. The men were
treated inhumanely and told me so
themselves"
'The senator from Georgia owes
It to the country to produce evidence
Of this" declared Senator Edge, Of
New Jersey.
Mr.. Watson shouted in reply that
"Hardboiled'' Smith had not beer
10
famous West Virginia clansman ha6
been assassinated after testifyng
before the senate labor committee
concerning the Mingo mine war.
Senator Lenroot, Wisconsin, offer
ed the resolution providing for 6
committee to investigate the charges
Charges Called MOnstrOus
"The charges are monstrous ant
the senate should investigate if the
war department does not" he said.
Senator New, of Indiana, stated
that the judge advocate generals
records showed that 28 death sen
fences were imposed on members o.
the A. E. f. in France by court
martial. OF these, nine were ex
ecuted, he said, and the remainder
modified or disapproved.
I'm every case" said Mr.. New
'the men had trial by court-martial
In no case was the offense charged
military offense.''
Senator Watson, while stating hi
refusal to produce his evidence be
fore the senate military committee
said he would before another sanC
impartial committee.
Senator Wadsworth vigorousl,
challenged the truth of Senator Wat
sons charges.
1.-THE inference to be drawn tina
numbers were hanged without /;
courtmartial is utterly aside from
the facts and the truth" said Sena
tor Wadsworth. 1.-THE number o
men executed In France under court
martial could be counted on on
hand.
Charge Is Denied
"The senator from Georgia de
clines to produce any testimony t.
substantiate his charges" Senate
WadsWorth continued, con tn
( ground that witnesses might incu
some danger. I need not common
on an excuse of that kind.
eff the senator will not substan
tiate his charges, the responsible.
Is Ills. 1c1NO tllC SSlldIS anu III
country to judge"
Senator Wadsworth asserted heat
eddy that mot one man in our vas
army was executed without q court
martial"
Senator Watson then produced hi
obligated to help Japan in case o
war between America and Japar
a provision was incorporated saying
that England was not required t
small photograph of an alleged Il
legal execution. 1t was passet
, around among senators who exam
ined it carefully.
Senator Watson said it had beef
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