The guardian. [volume] (Boston, Mass.) 1901-1960, 1939-11-04

On INV return to New York one finds
the effects of World War No. 2 very
alarming at this moment Although
most people are non-committal, it is
quite clear that they have deep con-
Germ in their minds, yet, hoping for
the best, are not surprised that any
thing may happen any minute.
Nv first observation after debarking,
from my trip to Honolulu and San
Francisco, via Panama Canal, came
when my taxi driver speeded along the
We,t-de motor highway, along the
waterfront. 1t looked like real war to
behold the giant steamships Queen
Mary, Normandie, Mauretania and
other transatlantic liners moored to
their docks, seemingly camoufaged in
war paint. To the younger group it
meant little, but to me I recalled the
dark days of 1918, when the whole
world was in the clutches of the "Four
ILorsmen of the Apocalypse death,
starvation, pestilence and agony.
Might and might, brother against
brother, and life versus death.
WAR HERE AT HOME dog
-ed my footsteps as [ sauntered here
and there Right here in Harlem, the
War against starvation. Thousands of
my friends and acquaintance had
pitlul story upon their Hps-WOE.
A Story Of their battle against poverty
a battle for eXistence-a battle
against the scourge of destruction-a
battle for the right to live and enjoy
the fruits of mankind. Has man
-nel! Why is he hidden to partake
of such a bitter cup?
REFUGEES FROM EUROPE
arriving daily bring home narrowing
tales of the hell of war, directly from
the battlefront Of England and France.
To-day ] was given a description of the
Experiences of some Of my own people
who arrived yesterday (F'riday) aboard
the :. :. St John, a vessel chartered
by the U. S. Government for the re-
patration Of its citizens. The ship
made all manner of roundabout courses
to avoid submarines probably not very
well to be given here. 1t had an en-
tWeIy C"Jorcd crew, with white Naval
officers. and | understand many colored
men were brutality treated and placed
ia IRONS during hectic voyage, due to
labor troubles, The press will prob
ably break the detail news latec.
tOLORED DEPORTED I have
inst hand info given me by victims this
afternoon. not only Of the war itself,
hut % war against the black peoples of
he world, for the one and only reason
OF being persons of color. England
aud France are deporting all Colored
Americans, many of whom have lived
there for 10 to 20 years or more, to
ayold the responsibility for their safety
IN the war zone. These persons who
adopted Europe, because of equal
working conditions, to escape racial
discrimination ON this side, have lost
Their happy homes, being returned as
cattle or freight.
l am reluctant to mention names of
me untortunates, and subject them to
lurther embarrassment; but thew have
been dumped ashore here in Harlem,
by the authorities, left to the mercy of
friends, most Of whom are penniless,
without food or shelter. To compli-
cate matters, their friends here are
almost IN the same distress, unable to
lend them a helping hand.
incidentally, the greater part of orr
people who have fallen heir to the
Wretched situation and prosecutions.
are musicians and theatrical folk. It
IS sad That many of that group who
lad necessary funds fled to neutral
ravens, or to the hinterlands. where
Iley are able to subsist on as little as
% per day, rather than remain in
lne MAJOR cities where such deporta-
ions are rampant.
"A noted Colored musician who has
HVed IN Europe 20 years is married to
an hngllshwoman and they have two
.oVely (twm) children. His wife is
IN England, and he was refused a visa
the right to join his family, but was
4eported from France, and is now in
larIem, longing for his loved ones.
Many instances were noted of Euro
pean wives fOrcibly separated from
AIro-Ame1can husbands under pro-
IeSC probably never to meet again. The
International dispatches reported that
two colored children refugees. for
Saken by English mother were adopted
ana $500 was found pinned to their
rloIhlhg' as reward to the person who
look pity and gave them home. The
names OF the parents were not known
and probably never will he
BLACK-OUT Ny interviewer
10 whom l am indebted for this heart
rrehdlng spectacle barred these facts
IeWently confidential, and have every
assurance that every word is gospel
ruth. He continued . 81 have
!lVed IN all parts of Europe including
Ihe countries involved in this war. and
: Know what I'm talking about =.
England and France are a 'black-ouP
u mystery. The Reich has fore
stalled all imaginations especially
the sinking of the ROYAL Oak. right in
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