The Omaha guide., 1943-09-11
AMP Exposes Rife Prejudices|
irregularities at #. Huachuca
Post Commander, Ala.
General, Calls Men
"Niggers'; Restricts
Training to Marches,
Drills; Wants Them To
Go Abroad; Troops
Say They're Unframed

TUCSON. Ariz.. Sept. 8 amp
Confidential information has been
obtained by the Associated Negro
Press Of startling and sensational
discriminatory practices imposed
upon soldiers Of the 92nd infantry
division stationed at Fort Huach-
uca, Sources cannot be revealed
for fear of reprisals upon the in
formants.
The shameful situation threatens
to develop into a national scandal,
and more important, according to
observers. unless the federal gov
eminent and the army high comm
and takes immediate, fortnight &C
ton to correct the d~isgraceful con-
ditions. it is believed that all the
fury Of an overseas battlefield will
explode in his desert community.
Black American soldiers who q
few months before had entered the
I. S. army filled with patriotic de-
termination to help win the war TOR
democracy. even to the point Of
sacrificing their lives, are now re
ported to be enmeshed in the dol
drums Of Illustration and despair,
as a direct result of the heartbreak
ing inhuman teatment melted out
to them BY commanding general
and white officers alike.
Specifically the shocking charges
made by army personnel attached
to the fort are:
l. That the commanding gener-
al, E. NJ. Almond. of Admission, Ala.
refers to his Negro charges both in
ard out Of their presence as mig
gers"
?. That the commanding gener-
al is formulating plans to convince
the war department TO ship the
division overseas for combat duty,
although the division is m~iserably
uaprepared for such service.
8. That Gen. Almond is not a
top flight commander and was not
assigned to a white unit because
h elacked necessary qualifications.
The war department foistered him
upon the Negro group it is charged
because it was necessary to place
him somewhere.
T. That the commanding gener-
al orders the post Gestapo to hold
a"shakedown" of enlisted person.
mel after each live ammunition
practice to detect possible bullets
secreted away for a allegedly
planned Instruction"
5. That a quota system operates
in the making and promotion of
Negro officers with a few ever
reaching the rank of first lieuten-
ant. Most of the Negro officers
are frozen at the second Iieuten-
ant level.
Information has trickled out OF
the camp that several white crfic-
ers including one colonel have
beer severely beaten or killed in
alterations with enlisted person
mel The officers are also said 10
stand far behind the lines during
firing practice with live annual
ton. becauhe they fear a sharp
shooter might train his sights up
on them and revenge mistreatmeaI.
s. That enlisted personnel is
trained with obsolete combat weap-
ons and not given instructions in
modern methods Of warfare. In
stead. training consists almost ex-
clusively OF marches and drills "a
round the confines of the amy
post.
Z. That the food served in mess
halls at Fort Huachuco is the
worst in the army"
g. That although present con-
ditions on the military reservat-
ion have existed ever since the div
ision moved into Arizona last May.
Atty. thurman K. Gibson Jr., act
ing civilian aide to the secretary
Of war. and Brig. General Benjam-
in o. Dovis. inspecting general
from the inspector generals office.
Washington. on a recent inspection
here found conditions to be lin ex-
celient shape" morale high.
training good. and the overall
picture gratifying"
Personnel at the army post are
IL to be greatly puzzled ver how
Lney can the VICIOUS dc
tums of Gen Almond and his staff
Of white officers to peachments Of
a nation pledged in a war to carry
the four freedoms and democracy
to the far orner of the world.
Rumors are being circulated in
Tucson that the soldiers are so res
tive under the "slaveocracy' u
at the camp that a f~lareup OF SER
ious proportions is expected almost
momentarily- Only positive inter
vent'on of the federal government
with drastic punishmet delivered
upon the heads Of responsible au-