New-York tribune., 1916-06-23
Lenox Av. Troopers Again
Seek To Be Taken Into
Guard for Service.
COLONY is LOYAL
AND WILLING TO HELP
Men Point with Pride to Part
Played by Race at San Juan,
in Spanish War.

For every negro soldier in the
Fighting Tenth who. as result Of
the battle with Carranzistas Wednes-
day lies dead on the plains Of
Villa Ahumada. there is another in
New York ready and willing to take
his place.
These men compose negro regi-
ment formed three years ago in the
Lenox Avenue negro colony. II has
held together, despite the fact that it
has never been incorporated into the
National Guard. Major Charles W..
Fillmore, at one time the head Of a
negro battalion in Ohio, is the COM
manding officer
Many efforts have been made TO have
it become a part of the state militia.
Despite these failures the men are
ready to fight for the United States
along the border Major Fillmore has
told Governor Whitman and the War
Department Of the desire Of his men
for active service SO far he has re-
ceived only acknowledgements of his
letters.
Can &c Ready in Ten Days.
The question Of officers has been the
hitch in joining the guard. Many Of
Major Fillmore's officers have been
officers in the regular army and
others have served in the militia
of other states. But there are some
who do not come up TO these
requirements. In "A new organization,
however, the Governor of state has
power 20 appoint officers. and the COM
manding officer of these negroes be-
lievcs that all his officers could pass
the necessary tests.
Ten DAYS would be sufficient 10 bring
the men together, said the major. They
ere not uniformed or equipped they
had expected the state 20 look after
that but they arc said 10 be well
drilled and in excellent physical tim.
Though many feel that the negro IN
the army gets little opportunity to rise,
there j. no question Of the loyalty OF
the negroes in New York.
"Thcrc may be grumblers; in times
Of peace there are said Frederick K.
Moore. editor and publisher of a negro
newspaper. "But wave an american
flag before the face OF that grumbler,
and nothing can keep him from
marching behind it,
Ready If War Comes.
In the more or less segregated ne
gro colony of upper Lenox Avenue the
undertaking establishment OF j. {.
Thomas. at 50 West bath Street, cor
responds 20 the general store Of q
small village. Here all the local Cos
sip obtains. Here are the informal
headquarters Of the negro regiment
and of another negro company OF $50
men. formed within the last few weeks
by Lee A. Pollard, a negro chauffeur.
T hope this country doesn't go TO
war" said Thomas, "but, if it does,
the negroes will be in the thick of the
fight. San Juan Hill showed that"
a little further down the street
three negroes were talking before a
saloon. One wore the picturesque garb
Of the corniield.
"Old man. would you go TO war If
your country needed you?" he was
asked.
"Howcum yo' call me ole man."
because you look like Southern
negro"
Two rows Of teeth cleaned as he
opened his mouth in a thunderous
laugh
Man. An is. Kun FUN old Tennessee.
Sho' am Yankee niger, naow, dough,
amt |?
ayes. indeed But would you fght?'
"Man. sub, fghtin' is nah middle
name. Fl dis hear ole country come
TO me. say Niger, yo' needed in de
armyLLawsee! All jus put on dat
uneform, git down dab on bo'der wild
dem t'ranchulahs n vpers, an JUS
light on dem Mexicans wussen Ole Man
Wah hissef."