The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-11-03
WATSON ID GIVE
 EVIDENCE BEFORE
 AN OPEN SENATE
Will Not Have Evidence En- tombed In Committee Re- port, He Declares In
 Spirited Clash
By Associated Press


 Washington, November 2.-Notice was given In the Senate today by Senator Watson, democrat, Georgia. that he intended to present to the Senate itself evidence on his charges that American soldiers had been hanged overseas without court mar tial.
 The Georgia senator declared that he would not be bundled up In any committee room" and have his evil denee "entombed with senators in a report nobody would read" but would make his fight in the open Senate. The senator said later that he would reserve decision whether he would appear at all before the special Senate committee appointed to investigate his charges.
 Senator Watson's statements today were made in another hours spirited clash over the investigation when Senator Brandegee, republican, Con- necticut, chairman of the special committee, presented formal reso- lution authorizing the committee to take testimony under oath and sub poena witnesses and papers. The resolution drew sharp comment from Senator Watson and also involved him and Senator Reed. democrat, Missouri, in a spirited discussion with several republicans regarding the proposed investigation.
 Charges Reiterated
 Senator Watson reiterated his charges and declared they all had been made in 1918 by former sena- tor Chamberlain of Oregon, now q shipping board member. The Georgia senator also declared that today he had received letters and teiegrams from ex-service men and soldiers in Philadelphia and New York support Ing his charges. According to his information, he said, other gallows than that pictured fin the photograph he presented yesterday in the Senate haa been erected and used in France.
 The question of whether the Sen ate committee proposed to investi- gate Senator Watson's statements or chafges nc made was raised by Sem ator Reed, who declared that in his belief the Investigation was "grave mfstake," and an unfortunafe nre- cedent. Senator's remarks he ron- tisi1dei were ''priviIeged" with ac- countability only to the senators, home constituents This view was challenged sharply by Senator Bran degee, Senator Lodge of Massachu- sets, republican leader. and others.
 senator Brandegee disavowed "any purpose of putting the senator from Georgia on trial" and said the Sem ate mad ordered an investigation of the truth or falsity of MT. Watson's charges.
 Murderers If True
 If true, any officers connect ed with the deeds he stated they are murderers, and they ought to be han dled,' said Senator Brandegee.
 Senator Brandegee had his resoIu- tion, clothing the committee with full authority, referred to the Senate ex penditures committee, but did not ask for immediate action. It was report ed favorably at the close of today's debate, but went over. Senator Reed. during the discussion. advised sen ators to think over" the case. and hinted at motion to quash the in- quiry. saying he believed that upon reflection senators might consider the wiser course would be to dis charge the special committed"
 Senator Watson, In today's debate. again attacked Senator Wadsworth republican. New York, chairman of the military committee who gester- day brought Mir. watson's charges to the Senates attention. Senator Wadsworth. the Georgia member de- clared, had done so 'in a most in- solent manner"
 q told him that I'd fight it out face to face" said Senator Watson. That's what I'm going to do. The whole country shall hear 1t and the whole country shall know it. The senator's charges against me were made openly in the Senate. I'm go- ing to meet them here. What I'll say, in a few days, when l get my will be read by millions The newspapers will have to carry it. It'll be good copy"
 PREPosTEROUs, SAYS BAKER
 Cleveland, Ohio, November 2.- Charges of Senator Thomas Watson that. American soldiers in France were hanged without trial and were subjected to barbarious treatment were declared to be "preposterous and incredible" by Newton D. Baker former secretary of war, tonight.
 France was not a bowling wild erness but civilized country" MT. Baker said. "It was pretty well crowded with American men and women who would have been quick to report anything of this kind.
 'If a single American soldier had been hanged without trial word of 1t would have come to this country and proper measures would have been