Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1917-07-28

Colonel Young Restored to Active
Duty-Scrviccs Needed by War
Dcpartmcnt-!The War Secretary
Praises Colorcd Officers Training
Camp
In response to letter from Dean
Kelly Miller Of Howard University,
Secretary Baker issued statement,
July 7. TO the effect that Col. Young
has been restored to active duty.
Dean Miller's letter to the Secretary
transmitted the complaint OF Attorney
Charles S. narden of Los Angeles,
which represented the possibility Of
injustice being done Col. Young at the
present time. The correspondence fol-
lows:
My dear Prof. Miller:
Through you to the students Of
Howard | desire to extend my con-
caring the training camp for Negro
officers at Des Moines. Considering all
the carcumstanccshand conditions exist
ing i'll our country today, 1t certainly
was great victory OF the students Of
Howard for cur race Since they have
done SO we'll in that matter, l am in
clined TO invoke their aid in an effort
originated with me, for a greater vic
tory along the same lines.
You perhaps have already heard
that Captain Davis, Of the Ninth Cav
airy, has been sent to the Philippines
with his cavalry in spite of his re-
quest for permission to remain and
render service with the colored sold
iers in France. You perhaps also
know that Lieut.. Col Young has been
ordered to Preside, our army hos
pital. for medical observation and
treatment, in spite Of the fact that
Col Young is, according to my investi-
CATION, enjoying the very best health
Of his life There seems to be dis
position OH the part of the admnistra-
ton to either isolate our regular
commissioned army officers, or put
them on the retired list, adm it would
be contrary to the time hOnorcd Gus
tom and precedent of the War De-
partment, to order commissioned Of
GERS into the army hospital, and then
permit them to come out of that hos
pital, except on the retired list. 1t
Is the opinion Of men we'll inform
ed on the subject, in this locality, that
Col. Young will be retired by the
government for the purpose Of pre-
venting his further advancement in
the army, and his actual participation
in the present war.
You remember that the only three
commissioned officers in the regular
army, aside from the army chaplain
are, Col. Young, Capt Davis, now en-
route to the Philippines, and Capt.
Green, stationed at Liberia, all of
whom ought to be considered in the
organization of the separate division
OF the 10000 colorcd troops now be-
ing organized. But it now appears
that neither Of these officers will, in
any way, he connected or associated
with that division. 1t would certainly
be as cowardly an act OH our part of
sit idly by and submit, without protest
to the retirement Of Young. as It will
iva '" 40 part OF Est. .>ont
-. .hss u about. ] am also informed
that an Ohio senator protested Wig
orously against the departments or
der OF Davis to the Philippines, but
or course, without avail. Isn't thero
some method which can be pursued in
behalf OF our colorcd commissioned
officers which would not embarrass
'hem On the records of the War de-
partmcnt?
CHARLES S. DRDEN.
In transmitting this letter Prof
Miller said:
The Secretary of War, Washington.
ID. c. . wiz
MY dear Sir: | beg leave to sub.
mt the enclosed complaint against
lhe war Department. l am indis-
posed 10 believe that any department
OF the government of the United
otaleS would place stumbling block
IN the way OF the patriotism of tho
FUNNIEST American citizen. beg to
nope that the War Department
through an authorized statement. will
SCI AT rest all such suspicious AS arc
contained i'll the enclosed communic,.
ton.
KELLY MILLER.
July S, 1917.
III response to Dean Millcrs LETTER
On July 7, the War Department is
sued the following statement:
DEAR DEAN MILLER:
l nave just received your note Of
'uiE D. and return herewith the com
p''lil "hlch you enclosed. am very
happy TO tell you that the work at
l'es MONIES Camp is progressing re-
nlarkahly well, and the reports I have
from II are very good. The shirt Of
inc men is fine, and apparently this
ellc;hpmcnt is going to do a very
sreat oeal Of good, both to the coun-
Try ana to the men involved.
your correspondent writes chiefly
anont 1t. Col. Young, colored officer
ot me regular army and a graduate
OF west Point and man with q
e record for service in the army
oohlctime ago a board Of officers PASS.
eu upon his health and found him
completely incapacitated for service.
NOT IhViOIcl, 'N>~b