Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1921-11-04
WATSON MAKES CHARGES
Georgia Senator Declares Men lie.
gaIly Hanged In France.
u. S. SENATE WILL ORDER PROEE
Firebrand Charges Enlisted Men Were
Hanged on Officers Orders-Ex-
hibit, Picture of Soldiers on GalIows.

IIlNtSliSdllOll ny 81 SpSShoi VIM
mittec into charges BY Senator Wat
son, Democrat, Georgia, that American
soldiers in France were hanged with
out courtmartial or other trial was or
dered Tuesday by the senate by unani-
nous vote The committee will be ap-
pointed by the president Of the senate
and Senator Watson will be invited be-
fore it to produce proof.
The special committee as named by
Senator Cummins, of Iowa, president
pro tempore of the senate, will be
headed by Senator Brandegee, Repub-
lican, Connecticut, and will consist of
Senators Ernest, Republican, Kentuc-
ky; Willis, Republican, Ohio; Overman
d mocrat. North Carolina, and Pome-
rene, Democrat, Ohio.
Charges by Senator Watson that
American soldiers serving in France
were hanged without court martial OF
other form of trial precipitated heat
ed debate in the senate.
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
sGch evidence"
How many senators know" Senator
Watson had asked, that a private SOL
dcr was frequently shot by his officer
because of some complaint against Of
ficers' inso.ence; and that they had a
gallows upon which men were hanged
day after day, without courtmartial or
any other form of trial? l had and
have the photograph of one of those
gallows, upon which twenty-onc white
BOYS had already been executed at
sunrise when the photograph was tax
en-; and there were others waiting IN
the camp jails to be hanged morning
after morning"
this charge could not be lightly
brushed aside" nor Excused on the
ground of excitabilty in debate He
demanded that Senator Watson pro-
duce the proof.
Senator Watson replied that he re-
saatcd the demand" and would tell
i. ChplII1pT
shoulder" that he was the equal Oh
anv senator" and assumed full respon-
sibillty for his charges. He said he
would refuse to go before any commit
tee with his evidence, or to produce his
witnesses unless they were guaranteed
immunity.
II mean every word I said,' he add
Cd, "and | did not over paint the pic
ture. l have a photograph of the gal
lows upon which white soldiers were
hanged and can produce witnesses
who saw it, if it is safe for them to ap-
pear"
a picture of white men hanged like
dogs. ! can produce men If it were
safe who saw men shot without trial.
| cannot compel men TO come here ana
incur the danger
II say that food was piled up noun
tain high in France and virtually given
to the French when our men were
starving. | can prove that our men
were unnecessarily exposed and left to
die on the road | know oX-service
men who saw these things and told me
about them. Told me how letters were
censored and stereotyped to conform TO
regulations, and how soldiers who
would not comply were subjected u
barbaTous treatment.
"These men will not so back TO Eu-
rope again to fight. l have heard them
state they would die before they Wouid
do so. The mem were treated lnhu-
manly and tod 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
"Hardboied" Smith had not been pun
ished and that Sid Hatfield, the fam
ous West Virginia clansman, had been
assassinated after testifying before the
senate labor committee concerning the
Mingo mine war.
Senator Lcnroot, Wisconsin, oftereo
the resolution providing for commit
tee to investigate the charges.
Charges Called Monstrous.
The charges are monStrous and the
senate should investigate if the wal
department does not" he said.
Senator New, of Indiana, stated tha'
the Judge advocate generals rccords
showed that IS death sentences were
imnoscd on members of the y. +. f.
in France by courtmartia!. OF these
ri,c were executed. he said, and tho
remainder modified or disapproved.
In every case" said Mr.. New, "th'
IN had trial by cOurtmartial. In nc
case was the uffcrsc charged Il military
oncnsc.
Senator Watson, while stating his re-
fusal t. produce his evidence before
the military committee, said he woult
Lcforc another and impartial" com
mi;lcc.