The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-08-29
Patience Almost Exhausted,
Big Disorders Feared,
Says DR.. Trotter.
LEAGUE RIGHTS URGED
Cameroons Want American
Mandatory, Congressional
Body Told.
Special Despafch 20 Tn sur.

tives OF three national organizations OF
the negroes appeared before the For
eign Relations Committee to-day to tell
what they would like the United States
to do for their race In making the peace
treaty. Their statement was listened 20
by the Republican members of the COM
mittee, while not single Democrat en-
tered throughout the sitting.
The speakers were all negroes.
William Monroe Trotter of Boston.
secretary OF the National Equal Rights
League, urged the necessity, of fair con-
sideration for the claims Of his race,
saying that unless the governments act
wisely in the present situation the pa
thence of the subject races may become
exhausted. leading to serious disorders.
We are a peace loving people," he
declared, but the oppression to which
negroes in America are subjected is
such that unless national and State gov
ernments provide guarantees against
its continuance there can be no assur-
ance that our beloved country will con-
tinue to be the land of peace. secure
from violence and instruction. At a
time when Justice and equity are being
melted ont to the peoples and races of
the world II becomes the harder for a
particular race to be singled out for
oppression"
For the Equal Rights League there
was presented a proposal Of amen1-
ments TO the league covenant, adding 70
Section B of Article XIII. these
words: And agree to vouchsafe to their
own citizens the possession OF full lib
erty, rights Of democracy and protection
of life without restriction or distinction
based on race, color, creed or previous
condition" The league presented an
other amendment, adding this section to
the treaty:
"In order to make the reign Of peace
universal and lasting and to make the
fruits of the war effective In the perma-
nent establishment OF true democracy
everywhere the allied and associated
Powers undertake, each in its own coun-
try. TO assure full and complete protec-
ton OF life and liberty to all OF their
inha bitants, without distinction of birth.
nationality, language, race or religion,
and agree that all OF their citizens re-
spectively shall be equal before the law
and shall enjoy the same civil and politi-
cal rights without distinction as to race.
language or religion, and all citizens Of
the members of the league who belong
to racial or religious minorities differing
In race or religion from the majority OF
the population snail enjoy the same
treatment and security In law and in
fact as all persons of the majority race
or religion"
New Yorker Backs Demand.
DR.. Allen w. whaNey of New York
also spoke for the Equal Rights League
The speakers here to-day represent
Is, 900, 900 black Americans. I endorse
all-tfiat has been said to the effect that
the negro win not in the future willingly
suffer what he has tolerated in the past.
While the race would willingly hang the
traitors within its own ranks, 1t will
not suffer further persecution at the
hands of the whites. The most direct
and Straightforward way to right the
wrongs OF our race will be TO make the
peace treaty guarantee as much to US
as to other people"
Or. Joseph T. Thomas of Cleveland,
representing the International Associa-
ton for Freedom of Africans and Their
Descendants. spoke briefly regarding the
desires Of the colored people regarding
disposition of the late German colonies
in Africa
I'VE are not dealing with the prob
lens Of east or west Africa or Togo
land" ne said. but 1.-THE Cameroons with
zoe, 900 square miles of territory and a
population Of 100000 black people. We
desire It TO be placed under the control
OF the United States as a mandatory.
We regard the United States as the best
equipped nation TO manage It The
American negro did his share in the
war, and by accepting this mandate the
United States would open a new era In
the management OF the subject races OF
Africa
For one thing we would provide a
country where prohibition would be the
rule. II would be possible to recruit
1000 or $1,000 young nefroes who
served during the war to police this
country and insure the maintenance OF
order. We would expect them TO serve
under white officials. Further, 10000
negro teachers would be raised IN this
country and sent there TO train and
educate the millions OF blacks. The in
situations OF democracy would be estab-
lished and II would become the cultural
centre whence modern civilization would
be spread throughout all Africa
ITO the United States. the leaders in
this great work, the gains in opportunity
OF trade and industry would be enormous,
The demand for the cotton goods which
are made here and used there would in
sure yet greater demands for the prod
ucts OF both our cotton plantations and
our frabricating mills.