The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1944-09-30
Fish
Continued From Faye n


he had inserted in the Congressional
Record q letter Of his addressed 10
Secretary OF War SumSon on Feb
ruary /, 1914
This interviewer. eager 10 know
how far the outspoken Congressman
Was prepared 10 SO now As regards
SEGREGATION in the army. and reallz-
ing The Republican pledge IN the
1914 party platform. cnoesvored 10
point up the need for corrective
legislation now.
She pointed out the fact ;hat the
racis, situation had become 50 grave
that Il could make for both military
and CIVILIAN collapse She stated
that the returning veterans viii
need some safeguards and that the
time had come when this govern
ncnt must take position. She
further rejoined that mere remedial
legislation was not enough. The time
had come for attacking the problem
al It's roots. This she said was emil
nently necessary 10 prevent future
racial chaos and bloodshed
Mr.. Fish stated al The outset that
he was outSpoken and would speak
nothing but the truth His statement
runs:
Il would not have anything 10
do with sponsoring any such amend
ment A bill 10 abolish segregation
in the army wouldn't get three votes
in Congress. IL would be political
suicide for any one who would
attempt such and for one would
not.
We have just gotten over one
war. What do you want 10 do. START
another war before this one is over?
Why. the entire South as well as
the North would rise up IN revolu-
tlonary fury and put you people
farther back than YOU have ever
come-and besides. | do not favor
abolishing segregation and allowing
Negroes 10 force themselves on
white people. don't believe in mis-
ceynation and inter-marriage and
all that stuff. Negroes ought TO be
proud Of their race and glad 10
stay IN IL. They ought not be want
ms any mixed regiments. To per-
NIT Negroes 10 fight with white
men in mixed regiment is the
same as inviting Negroes in an
exclusive white club!' Negroes
ought 10 fight for civil rights and
stop pushing themselves on white
people. ] repeat white people don't
want you,
Nobody is talking that nonsense
but few Communists and besides
no responsible Negro organization
or individual-not even a soldier
and ] have talked TO many-would
even dare say he wanted 10 abolish
segregation"
in reply 10 the statement-"well
there have been a few instances in
which mixed regiments have been
tried and they have worked -spe-
cifc reference was made To the fact
that the British were training a
mixed regiment on American soil.
Mr.. Fish remarked, This is not true
according TO my knowledge. There
may be instances in which there
are white officers and colorcd en-
listed men but that is different
and that works"
The interviewer broke In. Eyes.
il seems that the races are always
free 10 mix when they are on un-
equal terms such as officers and
men. That only proves the Nazls
doctrine OF superior and inferior
races. The white man does not OBJ
Ject to mixing when he is a top
dog but never when he is an equal"
Well that may be true. That's
why | think Negroes ought 10 de-
mand that white officers of Negro
regiments be replaced by Negroes
and make something Of your
selves as an independent group"
the Congressman stated.
The interviewer remarked. Ne
groes don't want that. we are not
concerned primarily with being a