The Washington times., 1908-04-21
WARNER DEFENDS
TROOPS DISMISSAL
Race Question Has No Part
in Brownsville Contro-
verSy, He Says.
Foraker Planning to Answer
Borah and Missouri
Senator.

Senator Warner Of Missouri, who led
the fight for the President in the con-
sideration Of the Brownsville case in the
Senate Military Affairs Committee. ad-
dressed the Senate at the close of morn
ing business today and entered into an
elaborate consideration of the evidence
taken in the Brownsville inquiry.
Senator Warner held that the negro
soldiers % the Twenty-hfth Infantry
were uDquestionably guilty Of the shoot
ing at Brownsville, and warmly de-
tended the Presidents course.
he disclaimed the idea that the pun
ishment OF the colored troops was IN
any way due to race feeling. he depre-
Gated all efforts to arouse race an
tagonism in connection with it. and he
paid a tribute to the negroes. Of the
country as a race.
Before Senator Warner began his ad-
dress Senator Clapp OF Minnesota asked
how many Of the soldiers of the dis
charged battalion he considered had
been engaged in the Brownsville riot
Senator Warner replied that from his
study Of the evidence he thought fifteen
had taken part Senator Clapp then
asked how many. aside from the fifteen,
he thought were cognizant of the fact
that the troops had done the shooting
Senator Warner replied there was no
doubt that number had knowledge be-
fore the rioting was engaged IN and a
number more knew Of il afterward. he
was unable. however, to say just how
many had that knowledge.
IN the nations history" said Sen
ator Warner. no President has been
more emphatic IN his declarations and
in his actions locking TO the equal pro-
lection Of the negro under the law than
the present occupant OF the White
House"
Race Not Part of Question.
Frowniug on the attempt to inject the
Idea Of race antagonism into this con-
troversy. Senator Warner said:
THE question of fact whether OF not
members Of those companies partici-
pated in the Brownsville ARRAY should
be answered without prejudice. either in
favor OF or against them, by reason Of
their race or color. and It is to be re-
gretted that a studious ana systematic
effort has been made TO arouse the race
feeling Of the negroes Of the country
against the President because of his
action with reference TO those com
pauics-
Those who thus seek to arouse a race
issue have taken upon themselves a
heavy responsibility, for their action
must necessarily serve TO increase the
race prejudice which now exists TO an
unfortunate extent"
Served With Colored Troops.
That he himself had no prejudice
against negro soldiers. Senator Warner
said, ought to be proved by his serving
in -he civil war In the same command
with cOlOred troops.
Certain 1t is" he continued 4 have
no prejudice against negro soldiers. and
7 am not prepared to cry out against
negroes as soldiers. because I believe
that members of the Twenty-ffth Infan-
try at Brownsville dissraced the uni
form, and stained the honorable record
OF their race as soldiers. Lawlessness is
Itot a distinguishing characteristic Of
any race or color"
Senator Warner said he would Join
with the Senator from Ohio in paying
81 tribute 70 the negro as q soldier and
recOUnted some Of the deeds Of cOlOred
troops.
Senator Warner went into the analysis
Of the evidence aat length and closed by
pOrtraying the unreaSOnableneSs of the
theory that the citizens Of Brownsville
did the shooting and killed and wounded
their own neighbOrs in order TO get rid
OF the cOlOred troops
Senator Foraker is preparing himself
90 answer the speeches Of Senators BO-
rah and Warner