Minneapolis spokesman. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1934-2000, 1946-12-06
Negro Troop Behaviour in Germany
An Editorial

From Wednesdays reports from Washington,
Americas occupation troops in Germany especially its
black (Negro and brown contingent, are In Tor good
Smearing
Whatever else you may hear or read about the
why Senatorial investigation may be held you can wager
your bottom dollar that the movating force behind de-
mand for any inquiry win be the determination between
German frauleinS and American Negro soldiers. The
pattern is familiar II used to embarrass rca
tons between the United States and France years ago
when there was loud camor in this country for removal
OF French African troops who had become extremely
popular with the fraulcinS in the Rhineland German
politicians, who Hers fore runners. used the pres
of these loyal French blacks the Rhine TO gain
American sympathy for the poor" Germans who several
before had threatened the peace of the entire world
The basis then Il will he in this l946 situation is the
we'll known color prejudice and antiNeRro attitude OF
some American whites.
There is no doubt that some Negro troops have mis-
conducted themselves IN Germany just rs there Is no
doubt that American white troops have done the same
thing We won't the point that the percentage
of crimes among Negro troops was higher than among
white troops but will also point out that the percent
age of teracy among white troops Is Correspondngy
Highland that's not the fault of Negroes at home
abroad.
many you'll find that the real nub of the whole hue and
cry in Senatorial Investigators George Mcader) report
is I'm view of food shortages German women have
been unusually receptive to the generosity Of the Negro
troops In another part of the report will be found the
rather significant assertion that Negro soldiers and Ger
man women have been ConsortinR 10 n considerable
tent What that has to do with the charges crime wa
not explained but since II s included the conclusion must
be made that Mr. Meader considered the association of
German women and American Negro troops crime.
Overlooked in the report now since the Negro angle
has been fully exploited, will doubt be the pertinent
fact that the quality of white troop requirements has
been inferior According to the Associated Press the
committee Investigators report said that In shipment
Of 236 enlisted (whtc) about one-tcnh not
even high grade msrons This perhaps Is offered in the
way of for the Crminality among white per
sonnet Nothing in the news reports we have read to
date nfercntiay hints that the Negro troops
of the grade That conclusion IL deliberately avoided
think because IL might explain the high crime ratio
among Negro troops and therefore call attention to Amcr
to its Negroes in the south
part Of the condition among Negro troops In Ger
many could be explained by psychologists In America,
their home these reprcsscd and oppressed In
Germany they have status and members of
ing force and they also find that whites seek rather than
repel normal friendships with them The psychologists
know what happens also when people who have been sub
merged and repressed gain partial sense OF free
dom to about free human beings assOcang with
whom they please.
Only the hypOcrites among the majority group will
hold their hands in horror at the spectacle Of fater
soldiers American white troops mnge freely with
Of all coors and wherever they In Africa,
in India, in China and In Japan you'll find visible evil
dence Of the presence past and present Of American white
troops Nobody much about the doing OF what comes
naturally" Of these troops but when American Negro
troops practice the determination In Germany II
easily becomes the basis for loud anRuShcd ycps from
some of our white brethren nj home and abroad
Let there be an investigation but lot II be on crime
among American troops and It's causes and not the
legitimate relations between Negro troops and German
unless also investigate similar relations be-
tween white troops and Japanese women
Negro troops who commit crimes and found
guilty should be punished but not because they Ne
groes they the recipients Of friendship from
German men women.