The Washington times., 1922-01-06
F0URCLEAN-CUT
CHARGES SEEN IN
HANC|NCSQ QUIZ
Senate investigators Of Alleged
Army BrutaIities Promise
Keen Scrutiny.
BY international News Service.

Four major charges concerning
the killing and hanging of Ameri-
can soldiers in France today occu-
pied the attention of members of
the Senate committee which is
investigating accusations m d e
against army officers by Senator
Watson 3D. of Georgia.
Four Cases Cited.
Clear-cut and independent Of lines
of investigation have already been
opened up and will be pursued until
the last scrap Of evidence has been
adduced members of the committee
Indicated today. 1t is intended to
sift and analyze this evidence pend
ing the resumption of the hearings
next Tuesday The four major
cases developed are:
I. The charges that Major Opie,
Of Staunton, Va, killed his own
men.
2. Charges that from ten to
twelve men were hanged ut ls-Sur-
Tile.
8. Charges concerning three
seperate "lynching bees" alleged
to have been directed by officers.
4. Allegations that negroes were
shot Unfortunately.
Opie is said to still have fight on
his hands to discredit the testimony
against him, although his appear
ance before the committee unde-
niably reacted strongly in his fa''or.
However, only four witnesses have
testified against him and seven are
yet to be heard.
Two More Say They Saw Acts.
Two Of the witnesses against Opie
so far were nerve-racked veterans.
patients in a clinic for mental cases
and their evidence will probably b,
discounted. There remains the evil
dence of Henry L. Scott Of Kenn-
more, Ohio. and Grayson H. Withrow
OF Baltimore. both Of whom swore
they saw Opie shoot his man.
Opie created a good impression
hen he took the stand and also
Introduced nearly a score of former
fellow-officers who spoke Of him in
the highest terms.
In addition he introduced letters
from former members Of his COM
ments: If there Is another war I
want to serve under you" You are
one Of the bravest Of fighting men,"
You were an efficient officer having
the welfare Of your men at heart"
Lynching Tales Told.
Two men have already sworn they
saw many hangings at Is-Sur. Tile.
Herbert l.. Cadenhead Of Greenville,
hA
twelve" and George H. Taylor Of
Philadelphia categorically stated he
saw twelve.
Two men have told apparently
straightforward stories Of lynchings
directed by officers. Robert A. Har.
rison, Of Wilmington. NJ c., said he
saw two. and Harry w. Segal, of Dor.
chester, Mass, said he saw q third.
Charles p. Green, Of Minneapolis,
told the committee that he saw
eleven bullet-riddled bodies Of negroes
in morgues at st. Nazaire and Chat
teroux. and said II was a common
thing for negroes to be killed.
Local Man to Aid Opie.
Charles r. Pallard, an official Of the
Navy Department, living at 1911 Wyo-
ming avenue northwest, came to the
defense yesterday of Major Opie.
II mingled with the men In the bat
talon constantly" he testified, land IL
Major Opie was guilty Of the charges
I certainly would have heard about II.
The men in this battalion were very
much inclined to talk about everything
they did at the front. Not once during
the months ! commanded this bat
TALON did I hear one word uttered by
enlisted man or officer against Major
opie.
1T remember particularly a return
visit Major Opie made to the battalion
after he was released from the hos.
pital. He was royalty welcomed by
men and officers.
TEEN by his men. He had a reputation
for Justice. 1t is a matter Of regret
that he was not returned to his bat
TALON"
.kaother Opie Victim.
Major Opie was accused by Garland
d. Collett, of Dallas, Tex. OF shooting
at him during a battle in France, &C.
cording to a letter from Collett made
public today by Senator Watson.
Collett charged that during an nd.
vance on October 8. 1918, he became
slightly separated from his platoon and
was in the lead of II when he heard
Opie shout, Get down, or by God I'll
shoot you" and that a moment later
a bullet from Opie's gun whizzed past
his head. Some Of his comrades re-
marked, "1f he shoots again, well get
him. according to Collett.
II honestly believe Opie shot at me
with the intention Of killing me-" said
the letter. ~