Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-07-24
u. S. to Build Largest Liners Af1oat
CAPITAL RACE
RIOTS DANGER
SIGN OF TIME?
Outbreak Seen Part of
Negro Protest Against
Old Conditions.
By DAVID LAWRENCE.

washington, II. u, july G4.-W al
fare between blacks and whites with
scores of casualties, political war
| fare between friends and foes of the
| peace treaty and league of nations,
quarrels among the Republicans
about leadership, complaints about
Mexico's neglect of the lives of
American citizens, an indisposed
president and days of incessanr
rain have had a depressing effect on
the nations capital But of all the
acute problems which the war has
left on the doorstep of the future
the officials Of the United States
nment-President Wilson and
members of congress-now real1ze
that race rioting is the nearest ap-
proach to domestic disorder which
menaces the country.
Case Not Isolated.
Happenings in Washington are
not isolated. Reports have come Ii.
telling of clashes between blacks
and whites in other parts of the
country. Nor is it confined to this
country. England and Wales have
just passed through period of race
rioting and their troubles are by
nc means over. For many months
officials of the government have
been hearing dire predictions of
what would occur after the negro
troops had returned from Europe.
Warnings against the promiscuous
sale of firearms and the carrying of
concealed weapons were given. IN
deed in the district of Columbia it
was not until the race rioting broke
out afresh last week that severe
sentences were imposed upon those
caught carrying revolvers. Federal
legislation to prohibit the unauth-
orized carrying of any weapons is
now proposed but is as yet to be
acted upon by congress.
Cause is Deep Rooted.
Deeper than mere friction be-
tween the races is the cause Of the
difficulty as analyzed by army Of
f1cers who have studied the pschy-
ology of the negro soldiers abroad.
In Europe. 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 a
little colony where negroes are liv-
ing 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 ferret out
offenders has come a general inter
ference with many negroes doubt
less innocent Of wrong-doing. The
blacks have been terrorized and
have armed in self-defense. They
have obtained firearms in second
hand stores for several days
Frightened women have gathered
together and repeated wild tales of
impending attack.
Not Sufficient Protection.
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 with a chip on their shoulder
for the approach of any negro who
might seem anxious to quarrel.
Not enough policemen have been
available to disperSe the crowds
Federal troops have now been call
ed to keep order. President Will
son and Secretary Baker have given
the matter their personal attention.
If it were not the District of
Columbia where the people cannot
vote, a public demand for better
protection might long ago have
been recognized by elected officials.
But to get more policemen, the dis
trict commissions must ask con-
gress for money, committees must
act on the requests and it is around
about process which takes time
and lots of persuasion. The peo-
pie have no means Of removing
their commissioners or other Off
cials as all are appointed by the
president
Both Sides Embittered.
Disciplinary measures might
have been taken with an adequate
police force. Every day of delay
only serves to embitter both sides
There are plenty of instances in
which negroes going about their
business without making even an
unfriendly gesture have been set
upon in the general aggressiveness
of the evening mobs. Similarly
in retaliation negroes in their own
section of the city have heaved
missiles at innocent whites.
The fault is on both sides with a
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