New Britain herald., 1921-12-20
FORMER SOLDIER TELLS SENATORS
 OF EXECUTIONS
Continued from First Page)

ing, Harrison said the victim had been ordered by Smith to sweep the stock ward with a toothbrush and they had little party when he refused.' Were you courtmartialed 2" Sena- tor Overman, democrat, North Caro- lima asked.
 "Yes," thecolonel cursed me and I cursed him back and he had me sent to the firing line after trial. His name? Col. Holdbrook. If I ever get him I'll make him remember me. They would not give me a gas mask and my trouble today is due to gas, the medical record shows"
 Questioned by Senator Watson whose charges that American soldiers were illegally executed in France led to the inquiry, Taylor. the Philadel- phia witness, said the evidence in the |courtmartial of the Detroit sergeant was given in French, but an interpre- ter was In attendance. The crime was rape.
 Was the man allowed counsel? 2" Senator Brandegee asked.
 "One American officer there. He asked some questions"
 After the hanging Taylor said he saw the mans heart and brain remov- ed Ito see if he was crazy"
 Who did that?"
 "A major in the American medical corps'
 Know his name?"
 No"
 Col. Bethel On Stand
 Col. Walters Bethel, General Persh- ing's judge advocate general in France, recalled before the commit tee, declared that in time of war courtmartial death sentences did not require approval of the president
 Questioned by Senator Watson, democrat, Georgia, who laid charges of iaegal executions before the sen ate, Col. Bethel said that after war conditions had ended the government directed that all sentences be for warded to Washington for review.
 Col. Bethel denied it was his in | ference, as suggested by Senator Wat | son that executions were continuing, |
 Before going into the testimony | the committee listened to the reading 
 witnesses respecting their attendance. Many of them-former service men telegraphed that they were without | funds and In these cases arrange ments were made to provide trans portation.
 Major Shoots Sergeant
 Henry l.. Scott of Kenmore, O., tes- ti1ed that he saw Major Opley, third battalion, 116th infantry shoot ser geant IS miles north of Nerdun on October 9, 1918. There was no court he said.
 "Why did the major do it?" Chair man Brandegee asked.
 He just lost his head" Scott re- piled.
 A few days later he declared, Major Opley stopped a private carrying a message.
 "Opley told him to let him see the message" said Scott. "and the soldier saying the message was not Tor him. Then Major Opley drew his 45 and shot the man in the back, killing him. Nothing was done, the men were afraid to protest, and there vas no trial"
 Questioning Scott as to his identif- >ation of Major Opley, Col. Bethel 'aid there was no "Opley" on the army ists. ,
 "I could not swear how the name vas spelled, but that was the way he vas called' Scott said. Cochran Supple of Chicago who was , first lieutenant overseas was called ; Ls a witness but declared he knew { iothing about illegal hangings in Trance. e Jacob Housecamp of Passaic, N. J. cook overseas also said be knew of ' 10 illegal executions and nobody $ eemed to know why he was called. I
 The committee at this point ad- burned until tomorrow.