The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1919-07-26
(BY DAVID LAWRENCE.

Nbr DRNID LAWhGNOE.
Washington, July 25.-(Copyright
for Chattanooga News: )--Warfare
between blacks and whites, with
between friends and foes Of the peace
treaty and league OF nations, quar-
rels among the republicans about
leadership, complaints about Mexi-
cos neglect Of the lives Of American
citizens, an indisposed president and
days of inoessant rain have had a
depressing effect on the nations
capital. But Of all the acute prob
Iems which the war has left on the
doorstep of the future the officials OF
the United States government-Pres
ident Wilson and members of con-
gress-now realize that race riotins
is tho nearest approach to domes-
tic disorder which menaoes the eoun-
try.
Happenings in Washington are not
isolated. Reports have come in tell
ing of clashes between blacks and
whites in other parts of the country.
Nor is 1t confined to the United
States. England and Wales have
just passed through period of race
rioting and their troubles are by no
means over. For many months off,
C1diS Oh LHG DNSh
hearing dire predictions of what
would occur after the negro troops
, had returned from Europe. Warn
ings against the promiscuous sale of
firearms and the carrying OF con-
cealed weapons were given. Indeed
in the District of Columbia ii was
not until the race rioting broke afresh
last week that severe sentences were
imposed upon those caught carrying
revolvers. Federal legislation to pro-
hibit the unauthorized carrying of
any weapons Is now proposed, but Is
, as yet to be acted upon by congress.
Deeper Than Friction.
Deeper than mere friction between
| the races is the cause of the diff
Guilty as analysed by army officers
who have studied the psychology of
| the negro soldiers abroad. In Eu-
rope, particularly in France, there
have been no social barriers. Blacks
have mingled with whites even to the
| extent of companionship by white
women with negro troops. Many OF
| the disturbances in Cardiff have been
caused, for instance, in little colony
| where negroes are living with white
women whom they have married.
The assaults upon white women in
| the suburbs of Washington have
served to enrage the residents gen.
orally. Out of the effort to catch Of
| tenders has come a general interior
ence with many negroes doubtless in
nocent of wrong doing. The blacks
have been terrorized and have armed
| in self-defense. They have obtained
| firearms in secondhand stores for
| several days. Frightened women
have gathered together and repeated
wild tales of impending attack.
On the streets at night groups of
whites gather and discuss the riots.
Some visit the downtown district
nightly ito see the fun" Others wait
as If with chip on shoulder for the
approach of any negro who might
seem anxious to quarrel. Not enough
policemen have been available to dis
perse the crowds and keep loungers
on the move. Federal troops have
now been called in to keep order
President Wilson and Secretary
Baker have given the matter their
personal attention.
II II Were Anywhere Else.
II 1t were not the District of CO.
lumbia where the people cannot vote,
a public demand for better protection
might long ago have been recognized