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About The monitor. (Omaha, Neb.) 1915-1928 | View Entire Issue (May 17, 1919)
; *4 J <# [ ~ * pi i = i The Monitor i . * '°'0o A NATIONAL WEEKLY NEWSPAPER DEVOTED TO THE INTERESTS OF COLORED AMERICANS. ^ THE REV. JOHN ALBERT WILLIAMS. Editor V*//, ----- - $2.00 a Year. 5c a Copy OMAHA. NEBRASKA. MAY 17, 1919 Vol. IV. No. 46 (Whc No. 200) vx Colored Officers and the Regular Army Great International Movement for Im provement of Status of Black Race Is Organized at Representative Meeting at Historic French Capital. DIAGNE, FRENCH DEPUTY, PRESIDES AT SESSIONS I)r. DuBois Prime Mover in Convening Congress—Ex-Mayor Archer of London, England, and Candace, Dep uty of Haiti, With Others, Active in Deliberations of Body. Special to The Monitor: PARIS, France.—The hour has rung when all races and nationalities are seeking to obtain a right to their share of the sunshine which floods the world and to the liberties which certain races had, until now, appropriated for their own particular use. Races are today expressing their de mands freely and fearlessly, knowing that the moment has come for them to assert themselves. Thus it was that a Pan-African congress was held recently in Paris, presided over by Mr. Diagne, deputy of Dakar, and one of the most energetic of the Colored members of the French parliament. It was he who took such an active part in the recruiting of the Mack troops whose splendid conduct during the war filled the world with admiration. Other prominent members of the con gress were Prof. W. E. DuBois of New York, and Mr. Archer of Lon don, as well as Mr. Candace, deputy of Haiti, all Colored men. Significant Action. The congress passed many resolu tions, which, if put into practice, should prove of great advantage to the black race, but, for some unaccount able reason (as is generally the case in France in what concerns colonial questions and French colonial ques tions in particular), little or no men tion was made of this congress in the French press. Yet it may mark an im portant epoch in the history of the black race. In organizing the Pan-African con gress, Mr. Diagne said he felt that the hour had come for the situation of the black rare to be definitely estab lished. Thanks to the magnificent conduct during the war of all its mem bers, who placed themselves unhesi tatingly by the side of those powers fighting for the sake of ustice, it had won the right to be recognized. Although the Pan-African congress was organlized on the initiative of the Colored deputies of the French col onies, the latter, as Mr. Diagne de clared, are by far the most indirectly N interested in the question, for the Col \ orod races under French control en joy all the rights and privileges of other French citizens; they are rep resented in the French parliament by Colored deputies they have elected and in short have equal rights with other Frenchmen. Nevertheless, the French Colored men did not feel that they could dissociate themselves from the interests of their less favored broth ers in other parts of the world. Aim of the Congress. "The congress,” said Mr. Diagne to a press representative, "was prompt ed by a desire to bring about decided improvements in the general condition of the black race throughout the world and will bring about that progress which will enable it to occupy the place which belongs to it by right of its common humanity with other races. . * “I have already said the French Col ored men have few if any demands to make. But it is generally hoped amongst all the leaders of the Colored races that now that the United States have placed themselves in the van guard of civilization, they will stand by the assertions they have made con cerning the ideal of nationalities and the right of people to dispose of them selves. “Yet, in the opinion of the Pan-Af rican congress, this does not at pres ent seem to be the case and in spite of their declarations concerning this ideal, the United States do not, as yet, seem more liberally disposed toward the black race than of yore." Americun Problem. Nevertheless, Mr. Diagne is con vinced that the problem of the black race is infinitely more serious in America than in any other country. In 1860 the United States, he said, numbered 4,000,000 Colored men amongst its population whilst today it has more than 12,000,000. Mr. Diagne considers that the policy ac tually followed by the United States as regards the Colored element of its population is far from a happy one, and that the constitution of so for midable a state within the state is a great danger to national security. Moreover, he does not believe that after the war, in which they have taken so great and splendid a part, the Colored men will be content to possess only in theory a liberty which they wish to put into practice. There fore, the congress considers that the demands of the Colored populations of the states are quite legitimate. Mr. Diagne also believes that those Col ored American troops who have wit nessed the absolute liberty and equal ity which their French brothers en joy, will constitute an element of dis cord and that they will return to the states with newly awakened aspira tions toward obtaining, in what is popularly believed to be the freest country in the world, the prerogatives to which they have a right as citi zens. During their stay in France they will have had time to realize that the motto of the French republic, “Lib erty, Equality, Fraternity,” is not a vain formula, and they may possibly wish to see it applied as universally in the United States. Pan-African Congress. The Pan-African congress also ex pressed the desire that everything should be done to elevate and educate the Colored people and to bring about the development of a race which is still for the most part uncultivated. That is why the congress hopes that the United States of America which has always been the champion of op pressed and downtrodden peoples will assist the black race to obtain its demands. It is also interesting to note that in | Mr. Piagne’s opinion the prejudices j existing in America amongst the whites against the Colored element of the nation are not only limited to the black races, but are also directed against the yellow races, so that the problem thus raised really attains world-wide proportions. MEMBER OF DANIELS’ OFFICIAL PARTY Name ol Robert Caines, Messenger, Figures in Official List Sent By Cablegrams. (By Associated Negro Press.) Washington, D. C., May 16.—There has been quite a stir of comment among the official family in Wash ington, and outside as well, because of the fact that all the cablegrams giving the names of the “official | party” traveling with Secretary of the Navy Daniels on his tour through Europe, the name of Robert Gaines, a race man appears. Gaines is de scribed officially as messenger, but his name is always on the official list sent by cablegrams. BOSTON GUARDIAN MISSES ISSUE (By Associated Negro Press.) Boston, Mass., May 16.—The failure of the well known Boston Guardian to make its appearance last week has created quite a stir among the people of this section, who for years have received their information about af fairs of the race from that news paper, and read the opinions of its doughty editor, Wm. Monroe Trotter. Even those who have not always agred with the policy of the Guardian are hoping that it may soon again ! make its appearance. — FORMER SOLDIER PROBABLY LYNCHED — Mob Takes Him From Georgia Jail Where He Had Been Held for Attacking White Man. (By Associated Negro Press.) Moultre, Ga., May 15.—Dan Mack, a former soldier, was removed from the Sylvester jail by a mob composed of about thirty men. It has been im possible to find what they did with the man, who is charged with attack ing a white man on the streets. There are those who think the man was given a sound thrashing and told to leave the county. Some believe he has been lynched. The mob traveled in auto mobiles. CRACKER TACKLES WRONG MAN (By Associated Negro Press.) Hawkinsville, Ga., May 15.—W. J. Ferguson, white, county tax receiver, was given a sound thrashing by a race soldier when Ferguson became abusive in his language to the sol dier, who was walking on the side walk with two young women. The soldier knocked out two lower teeth of Ferguson and bruised his jaw badly. There have been no arrests to date. Jackson Kills Man Who Strikes Him City Employe and Teamster McCool Arguing About Accident When Roy Teeter, Unknown to Disputants, Rushes Up and Knocks Jackson Down, W'ho Draws Cun and Shoots Assailant Dead. JACKSON HEED FOR MURDER Has Been Employed as Dog Catcher For Several Years; Omaha Branch National Association for Advance ment of C'oolred People Taking Ac tive Interest in Case. AN unfortunate and regrettable tragedy occurred on the Locust street viaduct Saturday evening about 6:30, when Roy Teeter, a young man 19 years old, because of his ill-tem pered interference in a quarrel with which he had nothing to do, was shot and instantly killed by Albert Jack son, who has been city dog catcher for several years. The dog catcher’s automobile, which was driven by George Hockley, had collided on the horseshoe turn of the viaduct with a rubbish wagon driven by Joe McCool. Bert Mitchell, who worked with McCool, was also on the wagon. By the collision the wagon tongue was broken. McCool and Jack son, who had walked together toward 1 he head of the horses, were arguing about the accident, when Roy Teeters, whom none of the disputants knew, rushed up to Jackson and struck him a murderous blow in the eye, knocking Him down. As Jackson staggered to his feet he drew his gun and shot Teeters, killing him instantly. Said A. L. Hlllinger, one of the eye-wit nesses: “I believe that Jackson was so stunned by the blow that he had just presence enough of mind left to draw his gun and shoot in self-de fense.” George Green, in charge of the city dump, another eye-witness, said: “Roy had no business butting in and hitting Jackson, who had not even seen him.” At the coroner’s inquest, held Mon day afternoon, all the witnesses ex amined testified that Jackson shot after he had been knocked down by Teeters. A. M. Frieman, who tried hard to manufacture facts and was free in his use of the term “nigger,” to which the editor of The Monitor ob jected, but which offensive term Dep uty Countv Attorney Ready permitted him to continue to use, corroborated the testimony of the other witnesses that Jackson shot as he was rising to his feet. Verdict of Jury. The coroner’s jury brought in the following verdict: “Teeters met death from a gunshot wound inflicted by Al bert Jackson. We recommend that Jackson be held to the district court for trial. We decry the habit of per mitting irresponsible persons to carry firearms.” Jackson and Hockley, as special of ficers, were permitted to carry revol vers, as othei officers of the lawr, and are under bond to do their duty as such. Jackson was in pursuit of his duty when the accident occurred. All concerned arc white except Jackson and Hockley. A committee from the National As sociation for the Advancement of Col ored People interviewed Jackson and Hockley, who was held as a witness, early Monday morning. At Jackson’s request the committee arranged for counsel for his defense. Attorney Frank Howell represented Jackson at the inquest and pinned witnesses down to facts. This committee w'as also present at the inquest. The N. A. A. C. P. is deeply interested in seeing tnat in every case in which our people are involved they are given a square deal. POSTAL AUTHORITIES HOLD MAY CRISIS Action Causes Comment and Wide Spread Protest W'hich Ultimately Result* in Release of Publication. (By Associated Negro Press.) New York, May 15.—Considerable comment has been made here with ref erence to the May issue of the Crista being held up by the federal authori ties until an investigation of its con tents were made. After considerable effort on the part of the officials of the magazine, permission was given for the edition to go forward, but sev eral days late. In the edition the magazine has some startling informa tion with reference to treatment of soldiers in France. Dr. DuBois makes a veiled attack on Dr. Moton of Tus kegee Institute and Emmett J. Scott of the war department. PROCLAIMING AFRICA THE PROMISED LAND (By Associated Negro Press.) Birmingham, Ala., May 15.—An oily tongued member of the race has been going about the smaller suburbs here preaching freedom and Negro rule in Africa. He has been telling them that a new nation, with a Negro for king, is to be se; up in the dark continent; that bread grows on trees and honey flows from springs; that when they once get tiere, all their troubles will be over, aid all they will have to do is eat and rest themselves under the shade of the giants of the forest. About twenty familes are said to have sold their possesisons and are pack ing to go to the “land of promise.” KITTRELL COLLEGE COMMENCEM E N T Graduating Class Small. Hut Institu tion Has Had Most Successful Year In Its History; Visitors Present From Many Sections. TRUSTEES COMMEND PRESIDENT BY CHARLES STEWART, Special Correspondent The Monitor. ITTRELL, N. C„ May 14.—Kit trell college has just closed the most successful year in its history. While there were only five graduates, the interest ran high, and many were the visitors from all parts of the coun try, and the trustees were loud in their praises for the work done by Prof. G. A. Edwards, the president. The exercises opened with the model school exhibition, under the direction of Miss Della E. Leo, which was the presentation of a cantata, “Fairies of the Season.” The commencement ser mon was preached by the Rev. Dr. M. E. Davis of Richmond, Va., whose text was, “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things arc true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatso ever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report, if there be any virtue and if there be any praise, think on these things.” (Philippians, iv:8.) The address to the religious socie ties was delivered by the Rev. Dr. J. B. Cowan of Ashville, N. C. The an nual address to the literature societies was delivered by Rev. L. L. Berry of Norfolk, Va. There was a pleasant meeting of the trustee board, in which the report of President Edwards was made and audited, and he highly commended for having carried on the school during the past year without debt, and had a balance in the treasury. Plans were inaugurated for the re building of the boys’ dormitory, which was destroyed by fire, and for a light ing plant for all the buildings and campus. The latter was started by Trustee Richardson, who put down $100 for that purpose. Bishop J. Albert Johnson, D. D., pre sided on commencement day, and sev eral thousand people were present during the> day. The commencement exercises took place at 10 o’clock Thursday morning. The music for the occasion was the hest ever heard in the school. It was under the direction of Mrs. G. A. Edwards. Dr. C. H. Stepteau made the opening prayer on commencement day. Plantation melo dies were sung, diplomas were pre sented by Bishop Johnson, the Rev. Dr. E. H. Hunter presented prizes and the commencement address was de livered by Charles Stewart, A. M., D. D., of Chicago, who discussed “Cul tivated Mind.” LIEUTENANT EUROPE FOULLY MURDERED Famous Bandmaster of the Famous “Hell” Fighters Who Won Renown in France Is Stabbed by Member of Band. (By Associated Negro Press.) Boston, May 15.—Lieut. James R. (Jim) Europe died here from a wound alleged to have been inflicted by Her bert Wright, drummer in the famous Negro “Hell Fighters” (369th infant ry) band. The band, recently from France, was playing at Mechanics’ Hall when Europe called out to Wright to “put more pep in the sticks.” Wright left his drum, walked hastily over to Europe, and the police allege drew a knife and slashed Europe in the neck. Wright was arrested. To Wax Paper. IT one needs some waxed paper Quickly and there Is none handy, melt tome paraflln In a shallow pan and put strips of thin paper (tissue paper Is good) thro’.]-'1! it. PROPOSE COLORED CHAMBER OF COMMERCE Suggestion Made by Sintiliar White Organization That the Business and Professional Men of Race Organize Commercial Body. (By Associated Negro Press.) Knoxville, Tenn., May 15.—The for mation of a “Negro Board of Com merce" for the business and profes sional men of Knoxville has been sug gested and proposed by the white Board of Commerce of this city, through O. J. tSevens, retiring secre tai*y. Tlie suggestion will be taken to the board of directors for their ap proval. If the suggestion is approved, an extensive organization will be formed. W. L. Porter, editor of the East Tennessee News, states that the sug gestion of Mr. Stephens will meet with unanimous approval by the race. Mr. Porter stated that, in his opinion, 200 members could be secured. This prob ably is the first instance in the his tory of the country where a large commercial body of whites has sought to form a co-operative body of our people to work for the progress of the community. If this goes through in Knoxville, a precedent will be estab lished which mayT well be followed by other communities, in view of the fact that co-operative relations are neces sary, and there is little or no oppor unity to get into the “parent body.” There are a few rare instances of our men being accepted as members in local Commercial bodies. For ex ample: William Owens, of Los An geles, Cal.; and James M. French, of Sandusky, Ohio. I CELEBRATE SOOTH ANNIVERSARY LANDING OF FIRST NEGROES IN AMERICA (By Associated Negro Press.) Charleston, W. Va., May 15.—The 300th anniversary of the landing of the first Negroes in America was cele brated here this week with a wonder ful array of national talent among ! whom were: Dr. R. R. Moton of Tus kegee, Colonel Roscoe Conklin Sim mons of Chicago and James Weldon Johnson of New York. The celebra tion was under the direction of the churches of the community. There was a grand street parade, participated in by thousands, and every' band in this section took part. The parade was in two sections, the first showing the primitive state of the Negro; the second showing the progress that has been made. The people of Charleston are noted for the wonderful material, moral and educational progress made, and they have an international reputation for hospitality’. Booker T. Washington was horn near here in Kanawha county and his name was on all lips during the celebration. The only race bank in the state is in Charleston. SEND REQUEST TO PEACE CONFERENCE (By Associated Negro Press.) Denver, Colo., May 15.—The Colo rado African Colonization company sent a request to the peace confer ence asking that African people be left to develop in their own way. The request states that blacks and whites now are friends, but "if you continue to torture and afflict us in the future as has often been the case in the past, what will be our relations tomor row? ” The plea is signed by J. N. Walker, president; and S. H. Robin son, secretary. COLORED AMERICAN BATHES IN KAISER’S BATHTUB Paris, May 12.—The champion box ers and wrestlers of the American ex peditionary force returned to Paris today to prepare for the inter-allied games after a two week’s tour of the area of occupation. While the touring party was at Neuenahr, a watering place near the Rhine, De'o Patterson, and the light weight champion of the A. E. F., bathed in the tub formerly used by the former German emperor. LYNCH NEGRO AND THEN BURN BODY Vicksburg, Miss., May. 14.—Lloyd Clay, aged 24, a Negro, alleged to have assaulted a young white wom an, was lynched and then his body burned tonight by a mob of between 800 and 1,000 persons. A monthly Review of Africa and the Orient, $1.60 per year. Monitor office or 158 Fleet street, London, E. C. 4, England. Pan-African Congress Is Notable Event Chief of Staff Revokes Finding of Army Board Which Declared Ne groes Disqualified for Officers and Leaders of Men—Record in All Wars Show Race Is Not Deficient in Moral Fiber. SCOTT SECURES VITAL DECISION Special Assistant to Secretary of War Takes Up Astounding Verdict of Board of Officers With Department W'ith Favorable Results. Special to The Monitor: WASHINGTON, D. C.—Letters have been forwarded to the war department by Bishop Charles Spencer Smith as chairman of the commission on after-war problems, of the A. M. E. church, W. T. Andrews, editor of the Daily Herald, Baltimore, Md., and others of like prominence in public af fairs, calling attention to an indorse ment which has been placed on the application filed by a Colored officer who had been overseas, relative to his fitness for admission into the reg ular army. The indorsement, or rec ommendation, signed by a board of officers, appointed to investigate the qualifications of candidates for assign ments in the reorganized United States army, after summing up all citations and observations, was as fol lows: “The board recommends that he be not examined. Reason: unqualified by reason of the qualities inherent in the Negro race; an opinion of the hoard, based on the testimony of five white officers serving with the 368th infantry'- Negroes are deficient in moral fiber, rendering them unfit as officers and leaders of men.” War Record of Negroes Refutes Ab surd Finding of Army Board. The writers of the communications to the war department, in addition to condemning the injustice to the officer involved made it quite plain that the Colored people of the country resent most strenuously the reflection upon the race as a whole in the bald decla ration that “Negroes are deficient in moral fiber, etc.,” and regard it as an unstained indictment of the entire race as a group of incompetents and fail ures. They declare the charge to be absolutely discredited by the written record of the brilliant achievements of Colored officers under fire in the fiercest offensives of the war, and by the published testimony of General Pershing, of Colonel Hayward, and of a score of French officers of highest military standing, all of whom had the advantage of knowing exactly how the Colored commanders bore them selves at crucial periods on the field of battle. The objectionable memorandum is refuted, the writers assert, by the un broken chain of valorous deeds and heroism of Negroes in all the wars of the republic from Bunker Hill to Car rizal and in France from Verdun to the siege of Metz. To Be N’o Exclusion of Any Officer on Account of Color. Dr. Emmett J. Scott, special assist ant to the secretary of war. taking up the matter directly with the war department, made this reply, upon the authority of the officials having charge of the question at issue, in a letter addressed to Editor Andrews, of the Baltimore Herald: “With reference to the marked copy of the Daily Herald, containing an editorial, quoting an indorsement placed upon the discharge of a Colored lieutenant who applied for retention in the service, I beg to say that this whole matter has been before the war department, and I am pleased to in form you that the chief of staff has personally directed the commanding general at Camp Meade to revoke the finding; he has also directed that in the matter of Colored officers being commissioned in the army, there is to be no exclusion on account of color. “I am sure you will be pleased that this action has been taken by the war department, and I personally share with you and the entire race the sat isfaction of feeling that the finding quoted by you, and which was placed upon the record of the Colored officer, will not appear in his permanent rec ord as filed in the war department.” The answer of Dr. Scott to the edi tor of the Baltimore Herald will serve as a reply to the many inquirers who have shown an anxiety to know the status of Colored officers who desire to be retained for service in the reg ular army. Honor thy father and thy mother.