The Appeal. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. ;) 1889-19??, 1919-07-12
ROBERT r. MOTION.
(FrOm the Crisis.)

Neither R. R. Motion nor w. E. B.
Dubois had the slightest idea that the
other was planning to sail for France,
December 1, until they met in Wash
lngton on quest for passports, No.
vember 80. They sailed on the Steam
er Orizaba and frankly discussed their
agreements and disagreements. When
they reached France, each went about
his own business.
Dr. Motion was sent by the President
or the United States and the Secre-
tary OF War to see and talk to coloreG
soldiers. DR.. Du Bots was sent by
the N. A. A. G. P. and the Crisis to
gather the historical facts concerning
colored troops and to call a Pan
African Congress.
On the night before DR.. Motion
started out a colored man of national
reputation and unquestioned integrity
who had been in France six months
took him aside and told him frankly
the situation: the rampant American
prejudice against colored troops and
officers and the bitter resentment of
the victims. DR.. Motions letters gave
him every opportunity. A special
Army Order preceded him, which
read:
Dr.. r. r. Motion, President of Tus-
kegee University, will be present in
the Divisional area for the next few
days. The Division Commander d.
reefs that commanding officers render
all possible assistance in any visit or
Inspection DR.. Motion desires to make.
They will also see that he is accorded
every opportunity to make any obser-
walton he may wish to make.
What did DR.. Motion do? He
rushed around as fast as possible. He
took with him and had at his elbow
every moment that evil genius of the
colored race, Thomas Jesse Jones, a
white man. DR.. Motion took no time
to investigate or inquire. He made
few speeches, of which one is reported
by nearer as follows:
T he address delivered by Dr.. Motion
to the men consisted Of one or two
jokes by coIored preacher, the as
surance that the people at home were
proud Of them and the manner in
which they should act upon their re-
turn to the United States, dwelling al
most entirely upon the phrase "Not to
be arrogant" After he had spoken to
the men the major Informed the off,
GERS that Dr.. Motion desired to hold a
secret conference with them. All Of
f1cers congregated in the office. After
being presented to the officers, Dr..
Motion stated that he had been sent
to France by President Wilson and
Mr.. Baker for the purpose of speaking
to the colored troops. He also stated
that he had just left Paris where he
had been in conference with President
Wilson and had asked the President
his views as to the practical appIica-
ton Of democracy toward the coIored
man in the United States, but ended
by saying: ~ was very much pleased
with his reply but, gentlemen, can
not quote the President"
After DR.. Motion finished his talk no
opportunity was given to the officers
to inform him of the conditions that
had existed in France, and he did not
seek any information relative to same
from any Of the officers after the con-
ference ended.
Dr.. Motion then returned to Paris
and met Colonel House, General Per-
shing and others. Colonel House told
the writer that he urged Dr.. Motion to
remain in Paris and that If he would,
Colonel House would give him an op-
portunity to appear in person before
the Peace Conference to speak for the
black world. Dr.. Motion refused to
stay, but promised to return. He
then went to England and secured an
audience with Lloyd George, Prime
Minister of England. The destiny of
the black race today is in the hands of
England and the destiny of England is
in the hands Of Lloyd George. Vet Dr..
Motion did not keep his appointments;
but rushed to catch his boat in order
to be present at the Tuskegee Confer
ence. He sailed with Thomas Jesse
Jones still watching him, and did not
return to Paris or to the Pan-African
Conference, which he said he favored
and promised to support.
No one questions the personal in
tegrlty of Robert R. Motion or his kind
ly disposition, but no one friend or foe.
can look these facts in the face and
not feel bitter disappointment.