Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1909-10-16
RACIAL DETERMINATIONS IN
THE NAVY.

kAtiAL niNN EXAMINATIONS IN
THE NAVY.
We have repeatedly insisted that
the attitude of The present admins
tration towards the colored people
was being interpreted i'm every
branch of the government 10 mean
that the snubbng of those in Official
positions would Dee tolerated by the
president OF the United states and
cordially approved 10y the chiefs Of
the respective departments To give
emphasis 20 this view OF the situa-
ton we reproduce the following
from the New York Age. journal
which has been an ardent admirer
and supporter OF President TAFT and
which publication is regarded by
some Of Our colored leaders as being
the mouth-piece OF that brilliant ed
ucator and statesman. DR.. Booker IT.
Washington.
Stories of marked discrimination
against the Negro sailors on accoun.
OF their color have been circulated
with amazing frequency since the
arrival of the United States warships
in The New York HarbOr. and the
TACT that there were no Negro sail
OTIS i'm the big naval parade last
Thurs isy appears 10 bear out the
charges being made that the officers
of Uncle Sans ships are not treat
ing the Negro sailors with the re-
spccr due them.
Tn last Thursdays parade the Ne
Eroes We're made conspicuous boy
their absence. and the question was
asked many times during the parade
hy the white and oolored spectators
Where are the Negro sailOrs2"
Many remarked that 10 was
s'rance that while there are several
hundred Negro sailors with the
American feet. not one was seen i'm
The parade. It was noticed. however
that number Of Filipino sailors
who have enlisted in the United
states Navy were Zoo line with the
other sailors from their respective
h3ttlcshipe
Investigation shows that the Ne
gro sailors were assigned 20 duty on
The ha-t.eships on the day OF the
parade. and that such a course IS
pursued by the officers whenever
there is n parade 10 is seldom. if
ever. the Negro sailors are permitted
20 participate
During the recent voyage OF the
American fleet around the world Zee
ports ot discrimination are heard
from many quarters In England a
reception was rendered the Amc-!-
can sailors hy the English tars. The
Negro sailors were not allowed 10
take part which was noticed and ad-
versely commented ON by the En-
rHzh.
The action OF the naval officers
In refusing 90 permit Negroes 10
take part I'm last Thursdays parado
has aroused storm OF criticism
from the Negro residents OF Greater
New York, and expressions of con-
demnation are general. A move
ment is on foot 20 take the matter
20 the Secretary OF War with view
70 learning why Negro sailors are
Disseminated against.
Ira the words OF the rell-kEoru.
r. Thomas Fortune. What are you
going 20 do about it2" We are not
at an surprised The coIored sail
ors have no redress. They are in
the navy 20 obey orders. and il would
be strange indeed should complaints
come from them. II may be that
some OF our moss-bound colored
friends viii yet see and believe that
we have one of the most remarkable
Negro-hating Republican administra-
tions now In charge OF Affairs that
has ever been known TO be entrusted
with the affairs OF government at
Washington. While we do not he
lieve that President Taft personally
dislikes the Negro. sim we are Of
the opinion that ne condones. II he
do not actually encourage those OF
his associates who have an antipathv
TO the Negroes OF the United States
Are we in favor OF kicking2 Well
yes, and pretty hard too at the
proper season Of the year.