The Washington herald., 1911-06-08

A veritable Pandora's box of ex-
posures regarding the treatment OF
Jews in the United States army and
navy is threatened, as the result OF
two resolutions introduced in the
House by Representative George A.
Edwards, of Georgia, yesterday.
With the now famous "Garrard
incident" as a basis, the resolutions
provide for a stringent inquiry re-
garding the canker of caste and
racial prejudice in military and
naval circles, and sensational dis
closures are expected if the inquisi-
ton is put into effect.
FLAREBACK RESULTS.
When Col. Joseph NJ. Garrard, COM
mandant at Fort Myer, brought the
wrath OF President Taft upon his head
by stating frankly that Frank Bloom.
son Of the post tailor, would be discrim-
mated against as an officer of Uncle Sam
because he was a Jew. he little knew
what an effective bareback would re-
suit from his action.
One Of the first fruits of his un-
American attitude viii be to throw the
question OF the service CODE and the
service morals" both army and navy.
wide open once more. There seems to
be little doubt that the Edwards resolu-
tions will be favorably reported by the
House Committee on Military and Naval
affairs, to which they were referred.
Representative Edwards intends to as
If an anti-Jewish propaganda ex-
lists in the Army and Navy OF the United
States. If one does exist, he proposes
to do all in his power to stamp IT out.
The resolution relating 10 the army fol-
lows:
Resolved, That the Secretary OF War
be, and hereby is. authorized and direct
ed to institute an immediate investiga-
ton to ascertain how far and what dis
are operating against Jews
in the United States army and branches
thereof, as well as in the United States
Military Academy; and to correct and
punish those guilty. Of permitting unjust
against these patriotic
American citizens
A like resolution was aimed at the Sec
retary of the Navy.
Divided on Question.
Members OF the House Committee on
Military Affairs, who were seen last
night, were divided on the question as to
whether an inquiry ought to be opened.
'I do not know what action will be
taken by the committee said Represents
ative 6layden, of Texas. 'T have had no
chance to study the resolutions intro
duced by Representative Edwards Ger
tainly believe that If there is any actual
tangible discrimination against Jews in
the army there ought to be some remedial
action taken. I have yet to be convinced,
however, that Col. Garrard's statement
represents the attitude Of the entire army
toward Jews. I am inclined to think 1t
ioes not. However, there will be some
hearings held by the Military Affairs
Committee, at which salient testimony
on this point will be brought out
Both army and navy officers are reti-
cent on the question. They absolutely
decline to discuss the Garrard incident
for publication. Privately, however,
Sarrard for indiscretion in badly stat
ing a condition which would be far better
kept from the public knowledge. The So
cial lines in the army and navy service
are sharply drawn. and that a real and
vital prejudice exists against Jews is
stated in many quarters.
In the action which Col. Garrard took,
L Is alleged, he was not stating merely
his. own prejudice; he was exhibiting to
public view one of the intangible, but
real, laws of the service.
Past Attempts Failed.
Doubt is expressed, however. as to
whether any Congressional inquiry win
bring these facts to light In the past,
ali attempts to probe the service code"
Of the army and navy have proven fiat
There is an unwritten law in
The military service which has success
FULLY resisted all outside efforts to amend
Dr. alter 1t.
However. an investigation Of this con-
iition now seems certain. and It is ex-
oected that Representative Edwards
resolutions viii be passed by both House
ind Senate through force Of public senti-
nent