The guardian. [volume] (Boston, Mass.) 1901-1960, 1942-05-29
Him. Annrur Trnttpr
EDITOR and PUBLISHER
1901 - 1884
NAVY RECRUITS


Secretary Knox's plan for naval service will start
tunctoning next Monday thus cutting short by several
weeks the general estimate of the time would take to
put 1t IN operation Although the arrangement makes
Tor wider service it is far from being perfect does not
square with democratic practice and nobody will &C.
knowledge this more readily than Secretary Knox him
self. AS matter of fact he already has frankly admit
ted its shortcomings. In letter last month to DR.. Will
liam H. Jernagin, president of the Council of Coored
Churches, he said: early this month (ApriD an
nounced that Coored volunteers going to be accented
Tor general enlistment in the Navy Marine Corps and the
Coast Guard This action taken primarily in the
interest of all Americans 1t was not gesture to mi
mority group.
1--WE know that Coored leaders not going to stop
their hight for broader opportunities and do expect
them to do so.
'We do feel, however, that progress toward obec-
lives depends upon understanding of realities and
making the most of opportunities.
1.-THE attitude expressed by many colored persons, by
those who have approved the Nays action as progress
se STEP yet who deserve the privilege to work for more
aughrs well for the success of that STEP
Thus acknowledgment advance that what he pro-
posed to do will fall short Secretary Knoxs letter invites
and encourages continuance of the fight for more de-
mocracy in the Navy. All must applaud his American
ism. His composure under harsh and Iong-sustained
criticism from colored leaders effective rebuke to
columnsts who think they called upon to school
master the colored press Not only that his action al
belt inadequate has preached wall of Navy prejudice
and caste that has stood solid forbdding during
twenty years.
Since there is hope in inertia is heartenng that
the Navy is in motion and moving in the right direction
though the way is through Of obsolete and
democratic traditions. To apprase the progress already
achieved it necessary to recall that only few months
ago Navy officials telling the March-onW Washington
committee that admission of coored to the armed
services of the Navy impossible" In April of this
year the Secretary Of the Navy announced that coored
enistees would be accepted for the Navy Marine Corps
and the Coast Guard. and added that the whole thing
will be carried along in cordial spirit of experimental
ton But later in the month"; and perhaps after he had
reviewed the record of colored sailors his attitude ap
pears to have stiened and become bolder for he de-
cared that "the Navy is proceeding ruthlessy when
necessary to fulfill its primary obligation to all Amer-
cans, the obligation to train and create fleet with
the maximum of offensive strength and to these men,
ships and planes with the greatest effectiveness And
in announcing that recruiting will begin June l. the
Navy emphasizes its decision to train battalion of Ma
rnees.
In the progressive steps there to be evidence of
And that is true, the Navy may catch up with the Army
Nevertheless in both branches segregation is hdeous
blot national honor The fight must go until segre
CATION in the armed forces is abolished that all Amer
cans can share equally in united effort for the preser-
walton of American freedom.