South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-09-12
NEGRO TROOPS
PLANNED RIOT
Board Finds Soldiers at HouS-
ton Were All Set For At
taCkS on Whites.

HOUSTON Tex sept 1Z.-Neero
soldiers OF the zfth United states
infantry. had planned riot Of
bloodshed among the white residents
Of Houston. two DAYS before the
deadly outbreak which cost the lives
~ 10 Houston citizens Aug %. ac-
cording 20 the report OF the civilian
board Of inquiry which reported to
the Houston city council Tuesday
night. The report also criticizes
Supt Of Police g. l.. Brock for "his
inability 10 enforce discipline
among the police and declares that
he is not qualified for the position
he holds
The committee is OF the opinion
that the riot was undoubtedly pre-
cipitated by the arrests of two Ne
grOes made hy the police. although
sufficient evidence was presented al
the hearing 20 reveal the fact that
a serious disturbance was intended
oy some OF the Negro soldiers before
leaving Houston and the arrests re-
ferred 10 simply brought 10 20 a
head sooner and perhaps intensified
the crimes which followed
Went out 10 Stay White.
Continuing the committee SAYS
that the 'undisputed and convincing
testimony Of witnesses proved thar
the Negro soldiers went forth TO
-lay the white population iudiscrim-
inately. that no Negro was hurt OF
molested by them. not one Negro
home was fired into and that the
Negroes were warned before and
during the riot 90 stay of the streets.
The testimony of the captain in
charge OF the IRE station at Camp
Logan. and one Of his assistants is
hat when the shooting began in the
Negro camp, one OF the Negro
guards stationed at the fire station
remarked that the troops were going
90 shoot mp Houston that they had
planned TO do so ON the preceding
Tuesday night. but could not get
Iuite ready This testimony and
he evidence Of numerous other wit
uesses in the record convince us.
tand our opinion is shared 10y In
-pector Gen. John L. Cham berlain
n the United States army. who SO
Expressed himself TO usb that the
prior conflicts with the police we're
mere incidents Of the riots; that the
lot was unquestionably contemplat-
"a prior 20 that date. that il prob
ably would have occurred. though
possibly not SO severe, had the alter
alton between police officers and the
Negro sergeant Baltimore. not tax
~ place"
Arrogant and Insulting.
The report declares that shortly
lfter the arrival of the Negro
roops i'm Houston, there was mani
.ested by AT least part Of the Ne
sroes hostility and defiance of the
tate law requiring the separation
,f white and Negro races i'm the
street cars. that when on leave of
absence from the camp the soldiers
Isually frequerted those sections of
Houston and those esta blishments
where the lewd and lawless sections
1t the Negro population are TO be
-ouud. that Negro soldiers while on
suard duty az Camp Logan were
arrogant and insulting toward white
IabCrers. Selling the most trivial cir
lumstdnces as am excuse 10 curse
and abuse them; that the discipline
at the camp was grossly lax i'm NOR
I'D conditions; lewd Negro women.
sonic mere children. 3 years Of age.
being permitted 10 freely visit the
ramp and remain there over night
and that such women We're permit
ted 20 bring parcels into the camp
without inspection by the senUies.
keeping the soldiers literally sup
piled with whisky and other intoxi-
nts