Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1918-11-02

Ossued from the Office Of Emmett
j. Scott Special Assistant to the
Secretary of War;
Washington, d. c., October 2S.--
There are now fifty colored Chap.
lains in the United States Army.
The September calls for selective
draftees, issued by Provost Marshal
General Crowdcr, included 800 6
colored men.
In the total of 100000 American
troops sent overseas, a goodly pro-
portion may be accredited to the
Negro race. This total was given
by the War Department officials at n
recent hearing before the House
Committee on Military Affairs.
Many press reports, commenting
on the American army in France,
intimate that the Germans have n
wholesome fear Of colored troops in
action. General Pershing is lavish
in his praise of the colored soldiers
and has testified officially that they
show marvellous GOODNESS under shell
fire, and an entire regiment, as we'll
been cited for decorations of honor.
Preliminary to the recent session
Of the National Baptist Convention
at st. Louis, a patriotic meeting was
held at the Coliseum, i'll the course
Of which 10000 enthusiastic colored
people proclaimed their loyalty to
tho United States. A long parade,
q chorus Of 800 voices and Il program
Of stirring addresses and songs.
featured the celebration. Tho gen.
eral theme Of the orators embodied
n review Of the part which tho
American Negro is playing in the
destiny Of the nation from the time
that slavery was first introduced,
through tho Civil and Spanish
American wars, into the present con-
nict.
4 cantcen has been established by
the colored women Of New York City
at Numbers and 6 West 131st
Street for the exclusive patronage of
colored soldiers and sailors. Spa
ciOuS accommodations where the men
may read and write and have their
meals served at cost, are provided.
The cantocn is officially known ~
Canteen No. 5, of tho Mayors Com
mittee, and operated by II committee
OF public-Spiritcd colored people OF
Harlem, under the leadership OF Mrs.
e. G. Goode. Such canteens arc
being established in many cities and
they arc doing mint Of good for
our soldiers and sailors.
The War Department Commission
TT. ~ TIT 1N1.
made provision for the entertainment
Of Labor Battalion OF about 1000
colored troops which has been sent
to Camp Kearney, Linda Vista, CAL,
for sanitation work around the camp.
This battalion is made up of colored
mon unfit for overseas duty by reason
of minor physical disabilities.
Conservative estimates place the
number Of colored soldiers now in
the United States army establishment
on both sides of tho ocean at little
less than 100000.
Detroit, Michigan, has opened a
well.appointed club house for colored
soldiers at 2S2 st. Antoine Street.
Mrs. Il. ID. Trowbridgc is chairman
OF the committee in charge. Roscoe
S. Douglas, Of the Detroit Urban
League, is general director.
At a recent meeting Of the CAL
ifornia Federation of Colored Wom-
ems Clubs at Los Angeles, the
Governor Of the State delivered an
address that stirred the audience to
the highest pitch of enthusiasm. The
Governor was escorted to the plat
form by William Edgar Easton, the
well-known Journalist, orator and
literateur, author of "Dessalines, I"
ETC., and member OF the speakers
committee Of 100 for California.
Mrs. Victoria Clay-Haley, Of St.
Louis, is State Organizer for the
Colored Women's War Savings Com
mission Of Missouri.
Mrs. Rippin, Of the War Commun-
ity Service, in charge Of the protec
tive work for girls, is planning to
place colored protective workers in
Chillicothe, Ohio and Rockford, ILL.,,
inst as soon as the salaries are avail
ablo for these positions. Camps
Sherman and Grant, respectively, are
located near these cities.
The colored man now holding the
highest rank in the Regular Army is
Lieutenant Colonel Benjamin Oliver
Davis, native of Washington, ID. c.,
stationed with the 9th Cavalry in the
Philippines. He has seen service in
Mexico and number of points in
this country and Won distinction as
military attache Of the United States
in Liberia. He was in the Spanish
American war and won his way up
from the ranks through sheer merit.
The seasoned 10th United States
Cavalry has been doing some effective
work In repulSing Mexican agrees
ions on our border in the Southwest.
HOME FOR COLORED FEMALE
WAR WORKERS.
1t is highly encouraging to note
that the colored women of Chester,
Pennsylvania, acting under the aus
pices Of the Pennsylvania State Fed