Evening capital and Maryland gazette. (Annapolis, Md.) 1910-1922, 1918-06-24
GEN. PERSH|NG
PRAISES THE
NEGRO TROOPS
Saws Losses Are Fewer In Black
Than White Regiments, But
On Par With Calamity
DEGREES THE REPORT
PUT IN DANGER POSTS
Five War Leaders Testify To The
Valor Of Negro Soldiers.
Pershing's Telegram

Formal denial of reports circulated
in this country, presumably by Ger
man agents, that negro soldiers with
the American expeditionary forces are
being given more dangerous work than
the white troops was cabled to the
War Department by General Perish
ing. The message said the negroes
were in high spirits and that their only
complaint was that they were not
given more active service.
General Pershing said he could not
commend too highly the spirit shown
among the negro combat troops, who
exhibit fine capacity for quick train
ing and eagerness for the most dan
gerous work
The Generals cablegram, which was
in reply to one of inquiry sent by Sec
rotary Baker, said:
THE stories, probably invented by
German agents, that colored soldiers
in France are always placed in most
dangerous positions and sacrificed to
save white soldiers; that when wound
ed they are left on the ground to die,
without medical attention, etc, are
absolutely false.
THE following are the losses as
reported up to June 18th in. the four
colored combat regiments now in
France:
"369th Infantry-Died of wounds, 3;
dies of disease, s; severely wounded,
9.
"370th Infantry-Died of wounds,
none; died of disease, 8; severely
wounded, none.
"371st Infantry of disease,
none; died of disease, s; severely
wounded, none.
"972nd Infantry-Died of wounds,
none; died of disease, 3; severely
wounded, none.
These figures show conclusively
that negro troops have not thus far oc-
cupied positions as dangerous as those
occupied by the white troops and that
their physical condition is excellent.
"A tour of inspection just completed
among American negro troops by Off
GERS of the training section of these
headquarters show the comparatively
high degree of training and efficiency
among these troops. Their training is
Identical with that of other American
troops serving with the French army,
the effort being to lead all American
troops gradually to heavy combat
duty by a preliminary service in
trenches in quiet sectors. Colored
troops in trenches have been particu-
larry fortunate, as one regiment had
been there month before any losses
were suffered. This was almost I'M
heard OF heretofore on the western
front.
The exploits of two colored infan-
trymen some weeks ago in repelling a
much larger German patrol, killing
and wounding several Germans and
winning the Croix de Guerre by their
gallantry has aroused a fine spirit of
emulation throughout the colored
troops, all of whom are looking for
ward to more active service. The
only regret expressed by colored
troops is that they are not given more
dangerous work to do. They are es-
pecially amused at the most danger
Gus positions and all are DESTROYS of
having more active service than has
been permitted them thus far can
not commend too highly the spirit
shown among the colored combat
troops, who exhibit fine capacity for
quick training and eagerness for the
most dangerous work"