The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-07-21
Federal Government Acts To
Stop Washington Disturbances.
Over $50 Soldiers Are PATROL
ing Nations Capital.
NEGROES RETALIATE TODAY
Shoot at Wounded in Hospital
From Speeding Auto.
Many Blacks in Hospital as Re-
suit of Sunday RiOting.

Washington, July 21.-The federal
government intervened today to pre-
vent recurrence of the attacks made
Saturday and Sunday night by SOL
diers, sailors. and marines against ne
groes in retaliation for assaults by ne
groes on white women in this city.
After conference between Secretary
Baker and the local governing author
tiles, the army provost guard was re-
stored to duty. The police authorities
announced that $50 soldiers and mar
ines would aid the police in patrolling
the streets tonight.
The attacks by the service men on
negroes were so general that uni
formed negro policemen were de-
tached from duty and sent home by
the authorities.
Negroes Retaliate.
Just about noon today the negroes
gave the first evidence of retaliation.
Four blacks drove up to the naval
hospital in Potomac park, not far
from the White House in an automo-
bile and fired four shots at the sentry.
They then whisked their machine
four more shots at inmates on the hos
pital grounds, all of them sick or
wounded sailors and marines. The
machine and its party got away. The
shots all went wild.
Under the auspices of the National
negroes assembled this afternoon to
act on resolutions protesting against
the attacks upon them.
Disturbances last night and early
this morning took the form of numer-
Gus fist fights between groups of whites
and negroes along Pennsylvania
avenue. There was a clash in front of
the District building, which cor
responds to a city hall.
One negro was chased around the
Treasury building. Another was pur-
sued in front of the White House.
There were fights in front of some
Of the principal hotels. Soldiers sail
ors and marines were conspicuous
among the white belligerents. About
| a dozen scattered arrests were made,
but the scrinages were SO widespread
the police were handicapped.
In some instances it was reported
taxicabs were seized by the whites and
used in the pursuit of negroes. Street
| cars were boarded and negroes
dragged to the street.
Altho fists were for the most part
, the only weapons, a few clubs and slug
shots made with rocks carried in
| handkerchiefs were used.
Estimates of the injured varied
widely. most of them being so slightly
| hurt they were not taken to hospitals.
: 1t was believed, however, that not
more than 100 were really injured.
| altho others received black eyes and
bruises.
Makes Long "Drivc."
One crowd of whites cruised for
| blocks on Pennsylvania avenue, at
| tacking negroes, but finally was kept
at bay by mass of colored men
! who assembled in a side street.
| Colored chauffeurs on police patrols
were sent home, the authorities fear
| ing they would be torn from their
| seats. Ambulances were inadequate
to care for all the calls, some injured
| lying on the side walk twenty min
| utes before surgeons came.
| Feeling has been running high
| during the last two weeks because of
| attacks on white women by negroes.
| The first fighting broke out late Sat
urday night. One policeman was shot.
| These disturbances were confined to
the negro quarter, but those of last
| night and this morning ragged on
| streets that have become historic thru
] presidential inaugurations and other
1 great national events, right in the
midst of the government buildings of
the capital
The trouble originated in the arrest
| OF negro. While he was waiting
! with the policemen at patrol, a
crowd gathered, took him from the
! officers and beat him over the head
He was rescued by the police. but
shortly afterwards reports of renewed
fighting began pouring into police
Headquarters