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

Dcpartlncnt-tThc War Secretary
Praises Colored Officers Training
Camp
III response to letter from Dean
Kelly Miller of Howard University,
Secretary Baker issued a statement,
July 7, TO the effect that Col. Young
has been restored ito active duty.
Dean Miller's letter to the Secretary
transmitted the complaint Of Attorney
Charles S. Darden 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 l desire to extend my con-
CALCULATIONS on their success in pro-
caring the training camp for Negro
officers at Des Moines. Considering all
the drcumstancessand conditions exist
ing in our country today, 1t certainly
was great victory Of the students Of
Howard for cur race Since they have
done so well 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 color2d sold
iers in France. You perhaps also
know that Lieut.. Col. Young has been
ordered to Presidio, 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 q dis
position Oh the part Of the administra-
ton to either isolate our regular
commissioned army officers, or put
them Oh the retired list, adm 1t would
be contrary to the time honNred GUS
Tom and precedent Of the War De-
partmenr, 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 OH 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, oil of
whom ought to be considered in the
ri hn 70 a
OF the 10000 colored troops now be-
ing organized. But 1t now appears
that neither Of these officers will, in
any way, be connected or associated
with that division. 1t would certainly
pc as cowardly an act on our part Of
SIT idly by and submit, without protest
TO the retirement of Young. as It will
MO - ~ o part OF Y II S&t t>cnts
I ,t.A.iss 80 about. H J ain 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 there
some method which can be pursued IN
behalf CT our colored commissioned
officers which would not embarrass
them Oh tho records of the War de-
partment?
CHARLES S. DRDEN.
In transmitting this letter Prof
Miller said:
The Secretary Of War, Washington,
ID. c.
MY dear Sir: beg leave to sub.
MI me enclosed complaint against
the war Department. I am indis-
posed to believe that any department
OF the government Of the United
states would place a stumbling blocl,
IN the way OF the patriotism of the
,lumplest American citizen. beg to
nope that the War Department,
through an authorized statement, will
set at rest all such suspicious as are
contained in the enclosed communica-
; ton. {"
KELLY NILLER.
July 5, 1917.
In response to Dean Millers letter
On July 7, the War Department is
sued the following statement:
DEAR DEAN MILLER:
nave just received your note of
july o. and return herewith the com
plant which you enclosed. am very
happy to tell you that the worl, at
De- ), Moines Camp is progressing re,
iiiafKaDly well, and the reports 7 have
from II are very good. The spirit of
Ihe men is fine, and apparently this
ehcampment is going to. do very
great deal Of good, both to the coun.
Try ana to the men involved.
1our correspondent writes CHIEFLY
ABOUT LIT. Col. Young, a colored officer
% tne regular army and a graduate
OF west Point, and man with a
s an,,, record for service in the army.
sometime ago a board of officers mass.
ea upon his health and found him
completely incapacitated for service:
not obviously and visibly, but because
unfortunately n ,a of their finding that
ne was afflicted with chronic dis.
ease. My recollection is that il was
brlghts disease. The report Of the
noHra was approved by the surgeon
general, but in view of the fact that
Goionel Youngs record is a long and
HoHOfdDIG one. and