The Detroit tribune. (Detroit, Mich.) 1935-1966, 1939-09-16
Leaders See
United States
Drawn In War
Oppose Negroes
For Only Labor
Battalions

battallOnS
Editors Note: Starting OF a new
war in Europe should be OF inter-
est TO all American Negroes. for
II II is OF extensive duration. they
are likely 10 be affected either
economically or physically. Should
the Ualted States enter the con-
flIct. the Negro press is IN bet
ter posision TO fight for full rights
for Negroes because this press Is
stronger and better organized than
In 1917. At the same time. other
leaders OF tue race sholld. by their
training and contact. lake the lead
in directing both Negro opinion
and white opinion regarding the
Negro For that reason. this SYM
postum. OF Negro leaders on the
war question Is being launched.
Opinions OF other leaders will be
carried In future stories)
CHICAGO-(A CAMP If the new
European war continues for any
appreciate length OF time the
United States will eventually be
drawn into It is the majority opin-
Ion of Negro leaders in a sympo-
stun conducted by the Associated
Negro press.
AS 10 the advisability OF a separ-
ate Negro division and what bene-
fits would accrue 10 the race as a
result OF this conflict these leaders
are divided. Only in the belief that
Negroes should fight any attempt
TO segregate them into .abor
battalions is there unanimity OF
opinion.
With Democracles
Declaring his detest for the
methods and actions OF Hitlers and
stating the sympathies of tho
American people and particularly
Negroes must almost naturally
be on the side OF the democracies. =
Dr. Rufus +. Clement president OF
Atlanta university. says:
III the European conflict lasts
over year II is almost certain we
shall he drawn into Il. Should this
come. ! believe Negroes should be
included in all OF the armed forces
OF our nation, serving In every
branch. should prefer 10 see Ne.
groes completely integrated rather
than formed into special division,
or units. But this Is not a major
question.
III the nation goes 10 war. W,
must fight as we have always done
and we must expect. with the vic
tory. larger measure OF freedom
and democracy for all OF the peD
pies OF the country"
Because what affects Europ,
will ultimately affec, America
and "the worl is scientifically on,
today" AME Bishop David Herr,
Sims. Philadelphia, foresees Amer
ica's entry II hostilities continu,
long enough.
Greater Opportunity
Negroes who enlist will have
greater opportunity than before. 70
the reason that this war will hrin,
a fuller consciousness OF the Ne
gro's worth and service" SAYS tn
noted prelate. II hate war. bu
since 1t must be. the Negro vii
share whatever good there Is com
ing out OF H."
Saying that II colored soldier
were to be used exclusively a
service regiments or stevedores.
should be fought to the fullest b
all leaders and churches Of bot
races, Bishop Sims added, Il favo
opportunity for Negroes in IN
army equal TO any other grour
namely, on the basis of merit.
am opposed TO compulsory segre
cation. The best service could h
secured from Negroes in Ncgr
units, but Let them enlist also 4
whatever units they 1T and desire.
A nationally known business
leader. c. {. Spauldlng prcsiden
OF the y. c. Mutual Life Insuranc
Co.. also foresees Americas entr
II the war continues for an indeA
mite period. and declares. "in thi
event. the American Negro in al
possibility will share the commo
lot OF all Americans.
81 feel the Negro should be nc
corded the status OF an America
citizen in every respect withou
discrimination" Mr.. Spauldin
adds. AS an American he Is ex
! pected to measure up TO recognize
standards or citizenship. In IN
role OF a soldier, he should be &C
corded the same consideration an
treatment as other America
groups"
Fa,0rs League
Another college president. ID
Joseph J Rhoads OF fIishon col
lege. Marshall. Texas. favors a lea
que OF nations unarmrd for wa
with an adequate police force 4
prevent big nations from molestin,
small ones. thus preventing war
similar TO the new one I'm Europ,
Because OF mutual interests. I'm
proved methods OF transportation
and national sympathics for IN
dcmocracics. Americas polIcy n
isolation Is untcnablc" and "unde
the circumstances Americas I'm
DR.. Rhoads. pointing out that INF
VOL cment seems inevitable" onine
nation faces the alternative \
Joining England and France In M,
ting an end 10 the present militar
crusade for European dominntior
or OF preparing 10 tight a great
strengthened Germany single
handed later, IN the event that ma
ton Is victorious"
Negro soldiers should eel IA
best possible training and he ne
signed rank and responsibility n
exactly the same basis az othe
racial elements IN our populatjon
| for "fhero IL anouoh nrto.tf, I.