The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1907-10-18
COLORED TROOPS
WILL BE FOUGHT
South'S Efforts to DiSband
Them VIII Be Support
ed by West.
War Department Dislikes
Regiments, and New York
May Add Few Votes.

That an organize effort Will be made
IN Congress this winter by Southern
Senators and Representative 10 abolish
the four colored regiments now in the
army OF the United States. is an as
sured fact
OF the many Southern Representatives
who have been mentioned as likely TO
INTRODUCES bills FOR this abolition. three
are known TO have made up their minds
% take this action. They are Byrd, OF
mississippi; Helm, Of Alabama, and
ohacEleford, Of Missouri Whether these
three viii each introduce a bill, or
Whether they Will get together and
iIsIAe a Dill embodyinE their views, or
whether they will seek the assistance
OIL some man OF longer service IN the
Hcnse Tor Its introduction are details
Ia the 4ght that will be decided when
Congress cOavenes.
VIII Have Support Of Far West.
That this campaign against the col
ored troops win. If properly organized.
assume the most serious aspect. Is
foregone conclusion. In the first place.
the Southerners viii enter the move
ntnt with the moral certsinly that they
Nill receive the support OF the Repre-
sentatives and Senators from the Pa
clhc coast. Republicans and Democrats
alike, who have felt strongly drawn
toward the South and its race difficult
YES ever since the japanese question be-
came I've issue ~ the coast
Most significant OF all Democrats in
me House aud The Senate, especially
tlose on the committees on military
aualIs, have received assurances from
I ne W ar department officials, army Off
SSIs OF the highest rank or duty ia
Washington, that the abolition of tho
Tour cOiored regiments would be a most
acceptable course Of action so far as
army people are concerned. This has
seryed 10 increase the confidence OF the
soIIherners that now Is the time to
make their stand Tor the abolition OF
the coioreo regiments.
Assistance From New York.
But according to present indications.
the Southerners and the far Western
ers viii have allies I'm their votez
against the colored soldiers There is
sprinklins OF men from all parts OF
the Union who have expressed them
celVes IL private conversation as being
opposed 20 the blacks ir the army. And
II now seems certain that some OF the
New York Representatives will vote
With the SAutheTners OF the question
because Of the protests that have como
out OF that State since If y-ss an
nounced BY the War Department that in
February reXt the Twenty-fourth IN
fantry. colored. VIII be brought home
from the Philippines and stationed II
New York State
The Ninth and Tenth Ca-alrv ar5
the Twenty-6fth Infantrv. al colored
VII be 10 the Philippines two wears
longer At the end OF that time the
W ar Department viii lee uD AGAINST tb,,
puzzle as 10 where il would be best TO
station che blacks -, the United States
The officials OF tie War Department
nave learned from experience thai they
cannot station them anywhere without
expecting protests from citizens
they would be glad II there were no
negro regiments in The army
Black Regiments Unpopular.
One line along witch the Southerners
Will argue is that u would be in the
OF better discipline in the army
to hT-e the regiments OF blacks aboi-
ished. They viii point out that neither
the War Department nor the white Off
GERS Ike tie colcred soldiers, that this
feeling Inevitably percolates from the
omceTs down to the pTfvates in tho
ranks, and that the effect IS bitrrr
prejudice between the two races in the
army.
Whether the fight Of the Southern.r.
VIII end in success, is doubtful. but AZ
Is undeniable that they will get lot
or good campaign material out OF the
matter. Also, with the support OF tho
War Department. given urofYiciafiy
they viii have chance 10 win out