The Washington times., 1907-06-10
NEGRO TROOPERS
At WEST POINT
CAUSE TROUBLE
Taft to Investigate Talk
Of Hostile Feeling To-
ward Men.
. Brownsville Cadets ;
Name TownSpeople
Give Them.

That Secretary OF War Taft will order
an investigation of the conduct OF the
negro troops quartered at West Point. is
thought. probable in army circles. Al
though officers OF the post openly scoff
at the idea that there is danger OF a
repetition of the Brownsville affair, they
are privately apprehensive. and will
take no chances with the men. The
hostile feeling against the negro soldiers
IN Newburg. Highland Falls, and Corn
wall, where they go for pleasure when
on leave, is considered very unfortunate.
Carried Army Revolver.
Ii is certain that the matter will not
be allowed 70 rest with the eOurt-msr-
tialing OF Adverse williams, the trooper
who Is serving a ten days sentence in
Newburg for carrying an army revolver
in the streets Of that city. There may
be an inquiry as 10 why he was allowed
a weapon in his capacity as gardener.
and was not subject TO the rigid restric-
tions regarding its disposition when he
was OFF duty that prevail with the other
privates.
Captain Marshall. who IS in command
Of the detachment OF 100 cavalrymen
by the War Department. IS an expert
ment, is at the jamestown Exposition
with the cadets. Captain Summeraii is
acting in his place. but the responsible
" rests upon the commander.
Fear of Negro Troopers?
whether or not the fear of the negro
troopers entertained by people living
near West Point is justified, IL is GER
tain that the attitude OF the country
press has not helped matters. In de-
scribing the actions Of a cOlored soldier
who created a disturbance in Smith
street while Intoxicated, a Newburg
newspaper says:
when he had concluded his defiant
| speech ne aimlessly wandered into the
house adjoining. where he first encoun-
tered an elderly woman Of Celtic origin.
She had neglected TO lock her door, a
common enough happening in the streets
OF all nations, but she was not 10 be
scared by a negro In a blue uniform
She grabbed a poker, and the Browns
Vile cadet faded into the night"
Brownsville Cadets"
The term Brownsville cadet" applied
generally TO the troopers by citizens of
the neighborhood, has aided in creating
the bad blood that exists between the
negroes and some classes OF whites.
Another thing that adds TO the danger
OF a clash is that the men are on leave
at night. AS a rule. they leave the res
/ ervation at o'clock at night and do
not have to report until s the next
morning. AS a result, they roam the
streets OF nearby places all night long
Usually they leave Newburg on the
o'clock morning train, which gets them
TO West Point in ample time. The
women folks OF Highland Fails. the
/ nearest village. fear 20 go abroad Al
night alone since the advent OF the
| troopers.
Evidence Lacking.
Captain Summerall said:
IF any citizen OF Newburg or else
where has been annoyed and IS able tC
Identify the culprit the man will be i'm
| mediately CONCENTRATED. The ex'
penses of the witness will be paid and
he will receive So a day for his appear
| ance before a court-martiaI 10 testify
| First Sergeant Mccall, a very careful and
| intelligent man. who has investigates
| Two of the alleged disturbances, coulC
not secure the necessary evidence. On
OF the cases was where a negro troops
is said 10 nave made threatening
movement toward the Kitchen Of Radin
sky's restaurant near the West Shor'
! railroad depot IN Newburg. A man VI
suspected was taken to Radinsky b.
Sergeant Mccall. but the proprieto