Evening star., 1922-01-06
SOLDIER KILLING
DENIED BY MAJOR
Watson Charges Answered
by Virginia 0fficer-Sup-
T. ported by Others.

Charges that he had killed two men
OF his command were denied yester-
day before the Senate committee in
vestigating the charges of Senator
Watson of Georgia of illegal execu-
tions in the A. E. F.. by Mai. Heroine
L. Opie of Staunton. Va, commander
of a battalion of the 29th Division in
the Argonne offensive. His denial was
supported by two men of his COM
mand, who said that they were not
with the witness Lemuel c. Smith.
who testified they were present when
he saw Mai. Opie shoot man while
in a dugout.
Mai. Opie broke down while telling
the committee OF his services in the
Argonne, ending in hospital. wound
ed. He was awarded the distinguished
and the croix de guerre with two
palms. He said that he had never
fired a revolver the whole time he
was in the army.
Claims He Was Deserted.
Mai. Opie explained in detail how
he had attempted to get his men In
ii line after they had been demorai-
lied and were running wildly, some
saying they had been ordered to re-
treat while others were shouting that
the enemy was approaching. \ tense
situation, developing suddenly. found
him alone in the effort to reform the
lines. At the moment he was with
out sidearms. He was wearing
raincoat, the insignia on which was
covered with mud, and it was with
difficulty that he could make the men
halt.
II took a rifle and fired twice" he
said, knowing perfectly we'll what
4 fired
air and one in the ground. Nobody
was hit. After fired the lines stopped
and got them in shape. putting men
recognized in command. l sent run
ners to bring all the men up. There
was not a dead soldier on the line
and there had been no firing"
sDid you shoot runner with re-
rolver, as charged?" Chairman Bran
81 never fired a pistol the whole time
j was in the Army" Mai. Opie declared
with emphasis.
Chairman Brandegee wanted to
know if Mai. Opie had any theory as
to how the reports about him had
Accidentally KILLED.
"None, sir he said. 1T may be that
one circumstance led to it: l dislike
only thing to do in justice to others.
1t happened that Lieut.. Floyd w.
Cunningham accidentally killed him.
self with rifle. and I was the first to
reach him. / bent down. opened his
blouse. and while there alone in that
position some stragglers may have
been around. I sometimes think this
scene may have started rumors of
which l was the victim"
Senator Willis, republican, Ohio.
questioned Maj. Opie regarding the
testimony of Henry l.. Scott of Ken
more. Ohio. that he saw the major
shoot runner.
at is deliberately untrue" the major
exclaimed.
Senator Willis said he merely desir-
ed to get the majors denial in the
record.
+. Other witnesses to he Called.
Senator Watson. democrat. Georgia,
whose charges in the Senate that
American soldiers had been hanged
without trial In France, took no part
in the examination Of Maj. Opie or his
witnesses. But at the close of the
session Senator Watson. announcing
that he was not prosecuting any case.
presented a list of witnesses to be
summoned to give testimony relating
to the Opie charges.
The committee indicated that they
would be called when the hearing is
resumed next Tuesday. Some of Maj.
Opie's witnesses expected here today
failed to arrive in time and they
will be heard next week.
Eight letters from former men in
the majors command and from citi-
zens who know him were presented
Request was made by the majer's
counsel that the superintendent of the
hospital at which Smith Is a patient
be summoned. in view Of the under
standing of counsel that other hos
pital patients were coming forward
with letters. Chairman Brandegee
said the superintedent would be
called.