The Phoenix index., 1941-09-27
Says War Dept.
Continued from Page y
tor in discipline and morale.

tor in discipline and morale.
while the War Department is
seeking to improve relationships
between the soldier and the civil
ian, punitive action against the Of
tending civilian is rarely within the
power of the military authorities.
However, when the soldier in line
of duty is the victim of unprovok-
ed violence at the hands of persons
not connected with the Army, a
serious crime against the United
States may be involved. The de-
cency of the citizen and the power
of the Army combine to make such
cases relatively infrequent; yet,
the power of military authorities
they do occur. After the event
goes no further than the investi-
cation of facts: but it is within
the province of the War Depart
ment in a proper case to submit its
findings to the Department of JUS
tice for criminal prosecution. In
specific cases of this character the
War Department is already in con-
tact with the Department of JUS
tice Unfortunately, the danger in
herent in premature disclosure pre-
cIudes more specific comment at
this time.
1.-TWO other aspects of the Hrmy'E
efforts to deal effectively with ra-
cial relations deserve mention. No
soldier will be coddled Or treated
with special favor. Tie Negro, no
less than any other man. i'll uni
form. who conducts himself in man
ner unbecorning TO a soldier, may
anticipate stern disciplinary action.
On the other hand, proven willful
abuse or miStreatnent Of Negro
soldiers or wil.ful failure to protect
them from abuse is rot condoned.
Such misconduct has already been
punished in particular cases by for
NAL reprimand or admonishment
or removal from command, as the
nature of the case has seemed to
warrant. These are not irconse-
qucntial penalties as members Of
the Military establishment realize
far more keenly than does the
civilian.
"But punitive action is not a
cure-all. The leave camp which We
dedicate today is the first of SER
les CT similar camps which will af-
ford to enlisted men, particularly
in areas of the South where large
numbers of Negro soldiers are sta
toned, decent place to stay and
responsible leadership and direction
in their search for wholesome re-
creation This will benefit not only
the soldier but also the civilian
community in which housing and
recreational facilities are overtaXed
by weekend soldier visitors.
I can assure you that it is the
serious purpose of the War Depart
ment to build Military and civilian
morale, and that the special prob
lens Of the Negro soldier are re-
ceiving particular consideration
There are tremendous difficulties
inherent in the decentralization of
a vast Army. There is, however,
the compensating advantage Of the
great power Of higher authority III
any military organization. But
whatever the Army itself can do in
the interest OF morale, the under
lying task is that of arousipg the
American people to believe more in
tensely in our national ideal of
democratic society. We must be-
come militant in cur opposition to
fascist intolerance in our own COM
runity. We cannot be united and
effective nation in the face of a
foreign foe, so long as any sub
stantial number of us condone and
alIpease un-American attitudes anG
practices at home. The job must be
done by all of us. The stake is our
survival as a great nation
GAS I speak the flag of our coun-
try is about to be raised. When we
stand in solemn token of our re-
spect for all the flag symbolizes,
may we resolve to do our part to
make that symbolism real to every
American citizen"