Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1922-01-06
PROGRESS IN THE WATSON CHARGE.

investigation OF the charges by Senator Watson
that numerous American soldiers were executed in
france without trial and without adequate cause.
Probably the progress made is as rapid as could be
expected and as rapid as is d desirable in view Of the
difficulty of obtaining trustworthy evidence relating
to the facts. Several men have testified that. they
have witnessed one or moro executions, sometimes
by hanging and sometimes in other forms. But thers
rs a Striking unanimity of uncertainty among these
witnesses as to whether the men whose executions
they say they witnessed had been tried and convict
ed or not. On this point there seems to be no meas
urc OF certainty, and as against these statements, VIC
have the sworn statements OF responsible officers
giving what they say is the exact number OF execu-
tons which took place and also the files Of the war
department in which a record is given Of these oc-
currences.
Another feature also which is to be taken into
account is the mental condition of several OF the wit
inesses. Some are described as suffering from she'll
shock. Others to whom that precise term is not az
piled are evidently in a state OF high nervous ten.
SION. Men in such a mental condition arc often a
prey to their W inaginations, Without any in
tent whatever to deceive, they make statements
which haver1o basis in fact, and exaggerate occur
rences OF slight Importance, 1nagnifying them into
highly important events. These are characteristics
OF certain phases OF nervous disorder. The men who
suffer i'll this manner are 10 be pitied, and are ell
titled to everything that can be donc fo< the relief OF
their condition, but it is evident that their testimony
is to be received only with great reserve and not to
be accepted as conclusive in important cases unless
amply corroborated.
! Another feature which has been bought out is
that structures described as gallows of Which photo
graphs have been presented have not always beer,
gallows. In one case an army engineer. has identi-
he'd one. of these photographs as the picture Of a
crane which he erected for the purpose of handling
freight. Whether the picture was described as that
OF a gallows ina jest or for what other purpose, does
not appear, but it is quite evident that at least one
picture which has been nasquerading as that of a
gallows was that of a very harmless and useful me-
Ichanical contrivance.
We have still another feature in the fact that
where soldiers were stationed for considerable pkri-
DDS in one place and where there was no military. ac-
Itivity, time was apt to hang heavy on their hands,
and all sorts of expedients were devised in order to
make it pass quickly and pleasantly. In some cases,
mock executions were staged The subject appears
to be a rather gruesor1e one for Jest. Nevertheless,
1t was SO used, and it is not,at all unlikely that some
of the horrors which have been recited have. their
for the entertainment of Weafied soldiers and which
may. have been witnessed in some cases by individ-
uals who were notawarc Of their true character.
These are some of the features which have been
brought out in the hearing thus far. There has been
SO far no real confirmation Of any of the sensational
statements nade&bys Senator Watson. Some Of those
statements remain without Npositive evidence in
either direction, but so. far asstrustworthy evidence
has been submitted it has not tended to suDstantiate
ANY Of the charges which the Georgia senat brs made.
Seventeen are dead iinnaAsw York and hnnd-
red sick ones in one hospital Old John barley
Sherwood Andcrson'ss latest book IS called
u s IIriislnnph ct the Eggge9sIt must refer to the
.A@ EEa&Hs