Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1919-05-31
DIR. MOTION IN THE IlNIELIGHT
OF CRITICISM.

That distinguished scholar and
journalist, DR.. w. Il. B. Dubois in
the May issue Of the New York Crisis
proceeded to attack, not only the War
Department with its determinations
against the colorcd men in tho army,
but also two of the best known color
cd leaders now before the American
public. He was caustic in his attack
upon the Hon. Emmett j. Scott and
Dir. Scott was yitriolic in his reply.
He also paid his respects to DR.. n.
Il. Motion hut in a manner far less
severe than that upon the distinguish
cd Special Assistant to the Secretary
OF War.
Dr.. Dubois In this issue makes
t'no discrimination on account Of race,
color or previous condition Of servi-
tude" He attacks tho Nogro-hatcrs In
the army and the colorcd leaders them
selves outside of the army. Hero i3
what he says of DR.. r.. II. Motion:
Neither II. II. Motion nor w. q. b.
Dubois had tho slightest idea that
the other was planning to sail for
France December l, until they met
in Washington on Il quest Tor pass
ports, November 80. They sailed to
gcLher on the OriZaba and frankly
discussed their agreements and dis
agreements. When they reached
Franco each went about his own bust
ness.
Dr. Motion was sent by tho Presi-
dent of tho United States and tho
Secretary Of War to sec and talk to
Negro troops. DR.. Dubois was sent
by the N. A. A. r.. p. and The Girls
Is TO gather the historical facts con
corning Negro troops and to call q
ParAfrican Congress.
1t Is evident that the discussions
aboard the Orizaba were not salts
factory to either party, for DR.. Du
Bots says that when they reached
France, each went about his own
business. He tells just who sent him
and who sent DR.. Motion. We take 1t
then that he was sent to take care OF
the National Association for the Adj
vancement of Colorcd Peoples bust
ness and DR.. r. r.. Motion was sent
to attend the President of tho United
States business. 1t is n puZzling thing
to us just how DR.. Dubois could have
done what he did do, had he been
sent by tho President of the United
States and just how DR.. r. r. Mo
ton could have done other than he
did do had he been sent by the Nat
ional Association for the Advance
ment Of Colored People.
II seems that DR.. Dubois was of
have carried out the instructions
that he, himself had received from
the very influential Association that
sent the former across tho Atlantic.
It seems to us that for DR.. Motion to
have taken either, orders or instruc-
tons from DR.. Dubois or his Asso,
citation would have been an affront
to the appointing power at whose ex-
pense and direction he had made tho
trip to France. The same is true Of
DR.. Dubois. Had he followed the
instructions given to DR.. Motion, he
would have been ridiculed and con-
demned from one end Of this country
to the other by the members Of that
very influential and powerful organi-
cation.
1t was DR.. Moton's business to
obey orders or to surrender the ap--
pointment and it was DR.. DUBOIS
business to do the same thing. It
seems to us that the criticism pass
ed should have been directed to the
fact that DR.. Motion had accepted an
appointment that would tend to COM
promise him and tho race with which
he is affiliated. Having once accept
ed it however, he was In honor bound
to carry out the instructions given
unless he had accepted the appoint
nent with reservation. DR.. Dubois
says:
On the night before DR.. Motion
started out colored man Of national
reputation and unquestioned intcg-
rity who had been in France six
months took him aside and told him
frankly tho situation: the rampant
American prejudice against black
troops and officers end the bitter re-
sen'ment Of the victims. DR.. Moton's
le''e"f gave him every opportunity.
sprcinl Army Order preceded him,
which read:
DR.. r. r Motion President Of Tus
kegee University will be present in