South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-11-25
NE Gro OFFICERS
To BE SALUTED
Louisville Settles Question.
Race Feeling Forgot
ten For Flag.

LOUISVILLE. Ky, Nov. "a
Louisville. in which much OF the
spirit OF the old south still lives,
putting aside racial feeling and per-
sonal prejudice, has settled for it.
self periodically and unreservedly,
the question OF the propriety Of
white soldiers saluting Negro Of
fcers. This question which came
20 the fore recently. was on first
thought answered negatively. but
later a way was found TO reconcile
inherent convictions with military
regulations.
The solution reached was, that
an officer should not be regarded
as a personality toward whom the
salute was directed, but that the
military viewpoint which makes the
salute homage 70 the country's uni
form and 20 the things II typiies
should be accepted.
An exposition Of this viewpoint
was voiced by Gen. John b. Castle
man. a major in the army Of the
cOnfederacy. later colonel of a Ken
lucky national guard regiment. and
"a brigadier general OF volunteers
who saw active service in Porto
Rico during the Spanish-American
war. He said;
Discipline Necessary.
The discipline Of the army must
be maintained. and non-commis-
stoned officers understand little Of
the spirit Of the army when they
refuse TO salute a Negro officer. I
have held several commissions in
the military service and I unhesi-
tatingly say that ] would or will, at
any time. salue an officer, superior
or inferior. who salutes me with
The regulations, the laws and the
fundamentals OF courtesy and dis
cipline upon which these regulations
and laws are based prescribe this.
IL is no time 10 stand against them.
regret the incident and want to
urge every soldier 10 be a soldier
i'm the full sense OF the term. We
are at war, and soldiers are under
the rules Of the American army.
We are all one under the flag. We
salute the rank. not the individual"
The incident which brought forth
Gen. Castleman's statement occur
red here recently.
Capt. William Glass, "a years a
soldier in the United States army.
recently appointed a commissioned
officer and two white non-commis-
stoned officers were the principal
figures Capt. Glass said the men
passed him with heads turned with
out saluting though it was certain
they had seen him. He called them
back. he said, because he felt that
il was his duty TO correct their
lapse from military regulation. Only
one OF them returned in answer to
Capt. Glass call.
WOuIdn't Salute.
This man. a sergeant in answer
10 inquiry as to why he had not
saluted replied: Il will not salute
a Negro" at the same time ex-
pressing doubt that Capt. Glass was
what he represented himself to be.
Capt. Glass displayed the insignia
under his OvercOat and the SER
geant again said he would not
salute a Negro. He gave his name
saying. You can report me If you
wish"
The interchange had occupied
several minutes and an excited
crowd gathered. Capt. Glass ap-
parently DESTROYS OF avoiding fur
Their unpleasantness walked quietly
away leaving several white officers
TO explain TO the crowd. The ser
geant also disappeared in the
crowd No official report OF the in
ci1ent was ever made TO the author
tiles at Camp Zachary Taylor by
Capt. Glass. who expressed regret
that the incident had attracted the
attention OF passersby and for the
excitement IL caused
Because OF the keen interest
aroused by the incident and the
conflict OF opinion which il caused.
Gen. Castleman was asked for a !
statement OF his attitude on the
subject. The position ne assumed |
exercised great weight, and his
opinion apparently soon became |
that OF the majority.
DD0MICEC tn CnTIFI nj