Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-04-07
SOLDIER DEFENDS Mr.. Taft
SAYS SECRETARY HAS NO RACE
PREJUDICE.
Former Lieutenant of Volunteers
Discusses Recent Criticisms of
Head of War Department.

Aroused by unwarranted criticisms of
Secretary Taft's attitude on the race ques-
ton, Frank W. Cheek of this city late
first lieutenant of the 4sth Infantry L. S.
V, a colored regiment. which served I'M
der. Gov. Taft in the Philippines. comes
warmly to his former chiefs defense
He has not even a tinge of race preju-
dice in his makeup" is Cheeks conclu-
sion He has given the black man
square deal for his struggles for exist
ence.
"Since the PRONUNCIATION of the Presi-
dents now famous order said, Cheek to-
day. "discharging three companies of the
18th Infantry. Secretary Taft has been
severely criticised by a large number Of
the colored citizens of the United States
They claim that he showed injustice to
the discharged soldiers in carrying out
the provisions of the Presidents order
duty which devolved upon him as Sec
rotary of War.
Taft's Past Attitude.
Before going into the treatment of
he colored soldier by Secretary Taft. let
us look into his past attitude toward the
darker races, previous to his becoming
Secretary of War. In the first place he
comes of a family of justice and liberty
| loving people. and in his early life re-
ceived a training which made him far
above the practice of race prejudices, and
which fitted him for the place he has so
ably filled. He has shown by his action
| in handling the natives of the Philippines
and the Cubans that he has not even a
! tinge of race prejudice in his makeup. and
has given the black man a, square deal
| in his struggle for existence.
Il had an opportunity to notice his
| great work in the Philippines, having
served there in the army while he was
governor general of the islands. Along
prejudice had been introduced into the
islands. and the American army of occu-
patton contributed. rather than dimin-
ished. the spirit of revolt. Race preju-
dice had even become SO bad that a col
ored army officer could not be shaved in
native barber shop.
Had Mr.. Taft taken that view of these
people, on account of their color. the is
lands would not now be enjoying the
peace and prosperity which they 50 much
needed. Secretary Taft mingled among
these poor unfortunate people. and none
were SO fowly but what they could reach
the governors ear, and when they ar
rived in his presence they were sure to
be welcome. and went away satisfied that
they had met friend. 1t was the manli-
ness and lack of race prejudice on the
part of Mr.. Taft and his kindness to the
natives which won their admiration and
great respect.
1T has been said that the original Fill
ipino was of negro origin. If this be
true. and had Secretary Taft the least
tinge of race prejudice in his makeup.
he failed entirely to show it in his treat
ment of these people If he had treated
these people differently. there might have
been some room for the criticisms which
are now being hurled at him. without
reason. by some of the colored would-be
leaders of the country.
The Presidents Position.
II am not attempting to defend the
President of the United States in his
action in regard to the, Brownsville mat
ter, for his course with respect to our
race has been so uniformly just that he
needs no defense; but 1 fail to see where
the Secretary should be censured by the
colored people of the country because Of
that order. Had Mr.. Taft been An army
officer instead of the Secretary of War and
had held up his superior officers orders,
as he did this one. the Brownsville order,
he would have been liable to court-mar-
tial and possibly dismissal from the
army.
This action on his part showed his
makeup, showed his kindly feeling for
the race, and in itself should be sufficient
to endear him to the colored citizens of
this country, who are so unreasonable as
to suspect that color actuated that order.
l believe and know that Secretary Taft
has been one of the best friends the
colored soldier has had, and should he
be elected to succeed President Roosevelt
l believe that they will be given justice.
no more and no less than they deserve"