New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-11-04
American Negroes Who
viii Help Make the
World Safe
THE negroes drafted for the Ma
tional Army have been moving to

he negroes drafted Tor the Ma
4 tional Army have been moving to
the various camps during the week
past. They will eventually constitute an
entire division, but for training purposes
are at present scattered in regimental or
brigade units. Camp Upton will have
about 5000. But interest centres not in
their number but in the fact that they will
be differed by men Of their own color,
except for the highest commands. There
are now CTS negro commissioned officers
in the army, graduates of the training
camp which has been fitting them for
duty at Des Moines since last June. They
are drawn from two sources: former
top sergeants," non-commissioned sol
diers of experience, and volunteers from
among the educated negroes-doctors,
lawyers, teachers and other college
trained men, who responded to the call
to the number of over 1000.
Press comment, especially in the South
and along the border states, has been con-
gratulatory 1.-THE Louisville Courier
Journal" after pointing out that there is
nothing in the history of the black races
TO warrant the belief that the American
negro soldier must be led by white officers,
said:
at is not necessary to 90 further than
Latin America to look for examples of capable
negro officers. There Is no doubt about the
courage Of American negroes as soldiers.
No.. L.
of the negro candidates who have won COM
missions in the Officers Reserve camp az Des
Mones. Offered by men OF their own race
the negroes will experience an increase Of
pride. They will exhibit a spirit OF rivalry
and increased ambition to make a credtable
showing in battle"
Everywhere the departing draft con-
tingents were given a hearty send-off;
notably in such cities as Cincinnati, Wheel
ing, Newport News and Richmond. 1.-THE
Richmond Times-Despatch" called the
three mile long parade which accompanied
the departing soldiers the "most enthusi-
astic and patriotic demonstration ever held
by the colored people Of Richmond"
The treatment Of these colored regiments
at the camps is a matter of concern Major
General Barry took occasion at Camp
Grant, Rockford, H., to warn all officer,
that the negroes must receive the same
treatment as whites" adding that "most
race troubles in the army result from in
experience" or from "some epthet applied
by white men to the blacks"
Another very important angle of the
situation is pointed out by 1.-THE Cincinnati
Times-star," which suggested that the
enemies of the country will do their best
to create trouble out Of this movement"
and will strive to stir up race antagonism,
adding that "it is of the greatest impor-
lance that no seed Of discord be sowed
either now or later" The same paper
summed up the problem thus:
"All that is needed now is tolerance SD
an open mind. Let the negro soldier and
selective alone and he will come through, rs
he always has come through. q staneh and
brave defender of the flag. Il should iniure
no private white soldier TO salute a negro
officer. for he is saluting the straps, the badge
OF Office, and not the man. whether he be
White or black