The Dayton forum. [volume] (Dayton, Ohio) 1913-1949, 1918-11-08
Enmatt T. Scott Voices Earnest Pro
test Of l2,ooO,00O American
Negroes Against Returning
Oppressed Black Peoples
TO Germany Tyranny

10 Germany Tyranny
Urges Larger Liberties for African
Allies, Under Government Of an in-
ternational Comlnission-One Mem
ber OF Commission to be Celored
American--How Black Men Of the
World Have Aided in War for
Freedom and Democracy.
New York, Nov. 2.-At a monster
patriotic meeting Saturday night at
Carnegie Hall, under the auspices of
The Circle Of Negro War Relief, the
principal speaker was Irwin 5. Cobb,
the famous war correspondent, who
has recently returned from the French
front. where he was witness to some
Of the most important battles Of the
4,resent conflict OF the Allies against
sernany. Mr.. Cobb's theme was
sThe Negro Soldier and his remarks
were Of especial interest because q
his intimate contact with the colored
American warriors during their try
ing s'baptisms of fire.
Prominent among other speakers
who were heard ON this occasion was
Emmett j. Scott, secretary OF Iuske-
gee Institute, Alabama, and for eIgh-
teen years the confidential secretary
og the late Booker T. Washington.
He was appointed little more than
d year by Secretary Newton 2. Baker,
as q Special Assistant to the secre-
tary of War, to advise him with rel
erence to the many delicate problems
growing out Of the relation OF the
$4,000, 900 Negroes Of this country to
the war, and to indicate to his people
how they might render the most eff
fective aid In bringing victory to the
American arms.
rasa Negroes Part in the World W ide
War
DR.. Scott prefaced his address with
the declaration that athis is the peo-
ple's war--not white mans war, not
d black mans war. but q war OF all
the people under the Stars and Stripes
for the preservation of human liberty
throughout the world" In this con-
asict for liberty and worldwide de-
rnocracy, DIR. Scott said "The Negro
il proving to be a notable and inspir-
ing figure" He warned his people not
to be deceived by unofficial statements
or expressions that peace Is near,
declaring that an enduring peace will
never come until the enemy is decis-
lively beaten, and pledging the con-
tinuance of the loyal black battlers
In the forefront Of strife to the very
finish--until an honorable peace has
been enforced or obtained.
Nearly 100000 Colored Americans
Under Arms
DIR. Scott noted that there are now
overseas, at grips with the master
infancy of the civilized world or wait
ing the call to active combat, nearly
100000 gallant black soldiers, the
ssfruit and flower of the Negro race.
These. he said, represent q response Of
more than so per cent OF the total
number Of Negroes registered II the
draft, and larger prop assiprate
number than has been tttas bic other
racial groups registered tlas
first draft. aAnd this humber aisaed
DR.. Scott, takes no account Of the
sturdy, outstanding men Of my race
who are members ef the four crack
regiments of the Regular Army, MOI
Of the 10000 brawny men who came
into service. through the Natlona
organizations, such as the Fighting
Fifteenth Of New York, which has
along with others, won imperishabls
fame on the battle field in France
He pointed with pride to the fact thai
while the Negro represented only
per cent Of the first draft registration
the race has actually contributed II
per cent TO the number called to tht
colors under said draft. He notes
also that in every 100 in the frs
draft examined for service, proxi
mately 36 per cent. of the Negroes
were accepted, while only "a per cent
Of the whites were accepted, differ
ence of 12 per cent. In the Negros
favor for physical quality This, hi
contended, dissipates the ancient yarl
about the black race being a deteri
Grating or decadent Deonle. Relative
", fewer colored men claimed exenlp
tion from military service than dis
this whites.
Dr. Scott further declared that th'
war, @grian-visaged and ruthless vi
sik i, han served or afforded 1he Me
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