Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1919-03-01

of pamphlet containing the speech
cs delivered by Messrs. Horace Meye
Kal.en and James Weldon johnson
tho lattr being Field Secretary OF tn
great organization under discussion
MIR. Kallen, among other things
says:
! "In the League of Nation. 10 tn,
| hope and security Of the black ma,
in Africa no less than of the white
| man In Europe"
We do not know where in any OF
his statements that he makes spe
cific reference to the down-trodden
prosecuted black man in this country
He is looking after the interests OF
the black man over yonder with no
reference to tho black man right
here.
This is why William Monroe Trot,
tor, Ida b. Wells Barnett, 10. w
Moore. John r. Hawkins, w. II. Jer-
nigan. A. c. Powell, J. Milton Wal
dron, Harry G. Smith and host OF
others wanted delegates with spe-
cific authority and powers in Paris
to speak for them.
But to emphasize our position and
TO show that either Mr.. Walter T..
White, Assistant Secretary, Is mis-
taken or that Mr.. James Weldon
Johnson is "out of tune" with the
organization that he essays to re-
present as Fled Secretary, we quote
from this same pamphlet that Mr..
Walter +. White sent to us. On page
fourteen, Mr.. James Weldon Johnson
is quoted as follows:
I'VE ought to know moro about
Africa, and if we did VIC would not
BIC ashamed OF it but proud OF II.
A knowledge of its history would give
he background which would cnablo
the Negro to hold up his head among
the peoples Of tho world. And it Is
only just that in the settlement to
follow the war provisions should be
made to secure tho soil OF Africa and
the resources thereof for tho benefit
OF tho natives: and for the
establishment Of governments that
may insure them self,determination
as rapidly as possible"
Mr.. Johnson puts himself on record
M not being in favor OF self-dotor-,
mination at once for the Africans.
although they havc had an organized
form of government among them
selves for many centuries. They are
devoid OF many OF tho vices Of civil
lied nations. Tho most noticeable
virtue is that they toll the truth.
lie says further:
but the main interest OF the Al
Association, notwithstund-
ing its broad sympathics for all OPP
pressed peoples, is not in Africa and
Africans, but in America and colorcd
Americans. And the Advancement
Association knows enough to rcalizc
that the problem OF tho Negro in the
United States is not going to be set
tied around tho peace table at Yer
Saillcs. 1t knows that the Powers
Of Europe arc not going to do very
tho laws and the disregard OF laws
in Georgia and Alabama and Missis-
slppi."
If Mr.. White is correct in his state
mcnt. then Mr.. Johnson is incorrect
in his declaration. But Mr.. johnson
goes further than this when he says:
"And 50. although the Advancement
AHSocia ton is willing to accomplish
rs much rs is possible by bringing
Africa, which is an international
question, before this international
Nn ", il realizes that the fight for the
democratic rights OF the American
negro must be FOUGHT at close quar-
tcrs right here at home.
Mr.. Johnson asserts that the Ad-
vanccmcnt Association is battling for
the rights OF the black people in
Africa and that it will confinc itself
to contendng on this side OF the
Atlantic for the rights and privileges
Of the colored people in this country
!Nil we arc ttlltl IlcScHlllS W oul
readers is, "the truth, the whole
truth and nothing but the truth
We weary of this deception, this
making people believe one thing when
it is another.
Mr.. James Weldon Johnson is not
diplomat. He is ''brutally frank
but he "speaks ont in tho meeting
so to speak and talks in language
that the common people can under
stand. Tho National Association fol
the Advancement Of Colored People
is in Paris, France looking after the
Africans and not the colorcd people
of the United States Of America. The
National Association for the Advance
ment OF Colorcd People over here il
looking after the interests Of thu
Negroes OF the United States o