The Washington times., 1921-02-28
Plain Truths to Be Needed


number of Humanite. Says this
French writer:
''In her African expansion France has
not only demanded Of her colonies the
best they can produce in food and sup
plies, but also the best they can produce
in cannon fodder.
"A black army has been utilized which
f. ID. Morel, in his last work, estimates
at $4,000 combatants and 238,0o0 suxil-
iaries. On the day of the armistice there
were in the depots of North Africa 1856,
900 men, not including contingents from
Madagascar and Somalland.
."How was this immense black army
recruited under the Tricolor?
Several years before the war plans
were made providing for voluntary en-
listment of blacks to form several regi-
ments which were to be used in Africa
only.
"In 1912 first essay at conscription
was attempted, which developed SO
quickly that in 1914 it was possible for
several battalions to be expedited to
France, where they participated in the
first great battles Of the war.
"Those who were in Paris in those
days remember well the passage through
the suburbs of those first contingents of
Senegalese on their way to the front to
fight white men.
"They were vertable savages, for
whom the war for civilization and right
was only just as any other war would
have been. These mercenaries practiced
wholesale assassination, even on defense
less prisoners, and witnesses are numer-
Gus to prove that they even paraded
towns and villages in the north sporting
necklaces made Of ears cut from the
heads of German dead. One Senegalese
OF fhn GfafI
in 1914 triumphanty carrying war
trophy in the shape Of bloody German
head.
"But recruiting was not fast enough,
and the most odious means were used by
our representatives in Africa to obtain
more black soldiers. Tribal chiefs were
promised cash for so many men, and
they were punished if they did not supply
them. Money offers for men attained
sprang up-an industry of rape. A high
commissioner Deputy Diagne, was
charged to centralize the efforts Of the
new blackbirds in the service Of the
Right. and he boasts of having thus
furnished to the shambles 10000 recruits.
1.-THE black army was utilized during
the war partly on the French front and
partly in other theaters. Black regi-
ments were sent to Macedonia; they oc-
were employed against Russia; others
are now in Syria. and public opinion has
already been outraged by revelation OF
their conduct on the Rhine"
It is impossible to write more
damning arraignment of the French
policies and the French military
methods than this arraignment,
written by a patriotic, high-minded,
honorable French publicist.
The Washington Times would not
De so much concerned in these mat
.ers and would not write so earnest
y upon them if it were not for the
effect that these militaristic aggres-
,ions in Europe may have upon the
United States of America. 1t is
obvious to any thinking man that
1nless peace comes to the distressed
people of Europe within a short time
Europe is likely to go to pieces in
he throes of another war far more
terrible than that from which it has
Just emerged, shattered and broken
indeed, but not entirely without hope
If reconstruction. This second war
will be a war of desperation, war
between the hungry and the fed,
war between the masses and the
classes, a war of annihilation. The
Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse
will again begin their ridings, nor
will they slacken their brides until
they have traversed all Europe.
The militaristic and imperialistic
policies which the French govern
nent and the French generals are
now pursuing will just as surely
wreck France as they will wreck
the rest of Europe. And no man
can estimate the injury and the
perils which the repercussions of
such a gigantic disaster must bring
to our own country.