History of the American Negro in the Great World War Part 37

The logical growth of achievement for the Negro is first within the lines of his own race, but, all things being equal; genius being the handmaiden of no particular race or clime, he is not to be hindered by the law of the land, the prejudice of sections or individuals, from seeking to climb to any height.

The bugbear and slander, raised and kept alive by that section of the land south of the imaginary line, to wit: that the Negro was ambitious for "racial equality," only is ent.i.tled to reference in these pages for the purpose of according it the contempt due it. That the whites of the country have not a complete monopoly of those unpleasing creatures known as "tuft hunters" and "social climbers," is no doubt true, but that the Negro, as represented by intelligence and race pride, ever worries over it; cares a rap for it, is not true.

Humanity's great benefit coming from the war, which cannot be changed or abridged, will consist of a newer, broader sense of manhood; a demand for the inherent opportunities and rights belonging to it; for all men of all colors, of all climes; and beyond that; of more significance; as marking the dawn indeed of a NEW AND BETTER DAY, will be a larger, juster sense; springing up in the nation's heart; watered by her tears, of repentance of past wrongs inflicted on the Negro. The Negro will become the architect of his own growth and development. The South will not be permitted; through the force of national opinion, to continue to oppress him.

The talk of the revival of KuKlux societies to intimidate the Negro; "to keep him in his place," is the graveyard yawp of a dying monster. Are the thousands of Negroes who faced bullets in the most disastrous war of history, and several hundred thousand more who were ready and willing to undergo the same perils, likely to be frightened by such a threat, such an antiquated, silly, short-sighted piece of injustice and terrorism?

Men's necessities force a resort to common sense. Racial prejudice and ignorant, contemptible intolerance, must disappear under, and before the presence of the renewal of business activity in the South, and the necessity for Negro labor. Each soldier returning from Europe is a more enlightened man than when he went away. He has had the broadening effect of travel, the chance to mingle with other races and acquire the views born of a greater degree of equality and more generous treatment.

These men desire to remain in their southern homes. Climatically they are suited and the country offers them employment to which they are accustomed; but more than all, it is home, and they are bound to it by ties of a.s.sociation and affection.

With a mutual desire of whites and blacks to achieve an end, common sense will find a basis of agreement. The Negro will get better pay and better treatment. His status accordingly will be improved. His employer will get better service, he also will be broadened and improved by a new spirit of tolerance and charity.

Cooperation among the white and black races received a decided impetus during the war. A movement so strongly started is sure to gather force until it attains the objects more desirious of accomplishment. Some of these objects undoubtedly are far in the distance, but will be achieved in time. When they are, the Negro will be far advanced on the road of racial development. The day has dawned and the start has been made. Before the noontime, America will be prouder of her Negro citizens and will be a happier, a more inspired and inspiring nation; a better home for all her people.

One of the results of the war will be an improvement in the government and condition of Negroes in Africa. Exploitation of the race for European aggrandis.e.m.e.nt is sure to be lessened. No such misgoverned colonies as those of Germany will be tolerated under the new rule and the new spirit actuating the victorious Allies. Evils in other sections of that continent will disappear or receive positive amelioration.

The most hopeful sign in America is the tendency in some sections where trouble has been prevalent in the past, to meet and discuss grievances. In some sections of the South, men of prominence are exhibiting a willingness to meet and talk over matters with representatives of the race. Such a spirit of tolerance will grow and eventually lead to a better understanding; perhaps a general reconciling of differences.

Many concessions will be required before complete justice prevails and the Negro comes into his own; before the soil can be prepared for the complete flowering of his spirit.

Primarily, before attaining to the full growth and usefulness of the citizen under the rights guaranteed to him by the Const.i.tution, the Negro, especially in the South, will require better educational facilities. If he is to become a better citizen, he must have the education and training necessary to know the full duties of citizens.h.i.+p. He pays his share of the school taxes and it is manifestly unjust to deny him the accruing benefits.

He is ambitious too, and should be encouraged to own land, and to that end should have the a.s.sistance without prejudice or discrimination, of national and state farm loan bureaus.

Unjust suffrage restrictions must and shall be removed, giving to the Negro the full rights of other citizens in this respect. With better educational facilities and the owners.h.i.+p of real estate, he will vote more intelligently, and there will be no danger that his vote will be against the interests of the country at large or the section in which he resides.

The withering taint of "Jim Crow"-ism, must be obliterated; wiped out-will be. Railroads will be compelled to extend the same accommodations to white and colored pa.s.sengers. The traveller; whatever his color, who pays the price for a ticket, must and shall in this land of Equality and Justice, be accorded the same accommodations.

Peonage, so-called, will end. It cannot endure under an awakened, enlightened public opinion. Negroes, all other things equal, will be admitted to labor unions, or labor unions will lose the potentiality and force they should wield in labor and industrial affairs.

The Negro's contribution to the recent war and to previous conflicts, has earned him beyond question or challenge, a right to just consideration in the military and naval establishment of the nation. America, grudging as she has been in the past to enlarge his rights, or even to guarantee those which she has granted, has grown too great indeed. Her discipline has been too real to deny him this fair consideration. There will be more Negro units in the Regular Army and National Guard organizations; untrammelled facilities for training, in government, state and college inst.i.tutions.

Selective draft figures having revealed the Negro as a better; if not the best, physical risk, will make it easier for him to secure life insurance, which; after all is a plain business proposition. Insurance companies are after business and are not concerned with racial distinctions where the risk is good. The draft has furnished figures regarding the Negro's health and longevity which hitherto were not available to insurance actuaries. Now that they have them, no reason exists for denying insurance facilities to the race.

With a growing, every minute, of a better understanding between the races; with the Negro learning thrift through Liberty Bonds, Savings Stamps and the lessons of the war; with an encouragement to own property and take out insurance; being vastly enlightened through his military service, and with improved industrial conditions about to appear, he is started on a better road, to end only when he shall have reached the full attainment belonging to the majesty of AMERICAN CITIZENs.h.i.+P.

With this start, lynchings, the law's delays, the denial of full educational advantages; segregation, insanitary conditions, unjust treatment in reform and penal inst.i.tutions, will vanish from before him; will be conditions that were, but are no more.

There is a predominance of Anglo-Saxon heritage in the white blood of America. The Anglo-Saxon was the first to establish fair play and make it his s.h.i.+bboleth. Should he deny it to the Negro; his proudest and most vaunted principle would prove to be a doddering lie; a s.h.i.+mmering evanescence.

HE WILL NOT DENY IT!

NOTE-UP TO THIS POINT THE TEXT FACES ONLY HAVE BEEN NUMBERED. THE 64 FULL PAGES OF HALF-TONE PHOTOGRAPHS (OVER 100 SEPARATE PICTURES) AND THE PLATES, TINTED IN MANY COLORS (NOT PRINTED ON BACK) BRING THE TOTAL NUMBER OF PAGES TO OVER FOUR HUNDRED.

THE PEACE TREATY

The treaty of peace was drawn by the allied and a.s.sociated powers at Versailles, and was there delivered to the German Government's delegation on May 5, 1919-the fourth anniversary of the Lusitania sinking.

It stipulates in the preamble that war will have ceased when all powers have signed and the treaty shall have come into force by ratification of the signatures.

It names as party of the one part the United States, The British Empire, France, Italy, j.a.pan, described as the five allied and a.s.sociated powers, and Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil, China, Cuba, Equador, Greece, Guatemala, Haiti, the Hedjaz, Honduras, Liberia, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, Portugal, Roumania, Serbia, Siam, Czecho-Slovakia and Uruguay; and on the other side Germany.

The treaty contains agreements in substance as follows:

Section 1. The League of Nations-The league of nations may question Germany at any time for a violation of the neutralized zone east of the Rhine as a threat against the world's peace. It will work out the mandatory system to be applied to the former German colonies and act as a final court in the Belgian-German frontier and in disputes as to the Kiel ca.n.a.l, and decide certain economic and financial problems.

Members.h.i.+p-The members of the league will be the signatories of the covenant, and other states invited to accede. A state may withdraw upon giving two years' notice, if it has fulfilled all its international obligations.

Section 2. A permanent secretariat will be established at Geneva. The league will meet at stated intervals. Each state will have one vote and not more than three representatives.

The council will consist of representatives of the five great allied powers, with representatives of four members selected by the a.s.sembly from time to time. It will meet at least once a year. Voting will be by states. Each state will have one vote and not more than one representative.

The council will formulate plans for a reduction of armaments for consideration and adoption. These plans will be revised every ten years.

Preventing War-Upon any war, or threat of war, the council will meet to consider what common action shall be taken. Members are pledged to submit matters of dispute to arbitration or inquiry and not to resort to war until three months after the award. If a member fails to carry out the award, the council will propose the necessary measures. The council will establish a permanent court of international justice to determine international disputes or to give advisory opinions. If agreement cannot be secured, the members reserve the right to take such action as may be necessary for the maintenance of right and justice. Members resorting to war in disregard of the covenant will immediately be debarred from all intercourse with other members. The council will in such cases consider what military or naval action can be taken by the league collectively.

The covenant abrogates all obligations between members inconsistent with its terms, but nothing in it shall affect the validity of international engagements such as treaties of arbitration or regional understandings like the Monroe doctrine, for securing the maintenance of peace.

The Mandatory System-Nations not yet able to stand by themselves will be intrusted to advanced nations who are best fitted to guide them. In every case the mandatory will render an annual report, and the degree of its authority will be defined.

International Provisions-The members of the league will in general, through the international organization established by the labor convention to secure and maintain fair conditions of labor for men, women and children in their own countries, and undertake to secure just treatment of the native inhabitants of territories under their control; they will intrust the league with general supervision over the execution of agreements for the suppression of traffic in women and children, etc.; and the control of the trade in arms and ammunition with countries in which control is necessary; they will make provision for freedom of communications and transit and equitable treatment for commerce of all members of the league, with special reference to the necessities of regions devastated during the war; and they will endeavor to take steps for international prevention and control of disease.

Boundaries of Germany-Germany cedes to France Alsace-Lorraine 5,600 square miles to the southwest, and to Belgium two small districts between Luxemburg and Holland, totaling 989 square miles. She also cedes to Poland the southeastern tip of Silesia, beyond and including Oppeln, most of Posen and West Prussia, 27,686 square miles, East Prussia being isolated from the main body by a part of Poland. She loses sovereignty over the northeastern tip of East Prussia, forty square miles north of the River Memel, and the internationalized areas about Danzig, 729 square miles, and the basin of the Saar, 738 square miles, between the western border of the Rhenish Palatinate of Bavaria and the southeast corner of Luxemburg; and Schleswig, 2,767 square miles.

Section 3. Belgium-Germany consents to the abrogation of the treaties of 1839 by which Belgium was established as a neutral state, and agrees to any convention with which the allied and a.s.sociated powers may determine to replace them.

Luxemburg-Germany renounces her various treaties and conventions with the grand duchy of Luxemburg, and recognizes that it ceased to be a part of the German zolverein from January 1, 1919, and renounces all right of exploitation of the railroads.

Left Bank of the Rhine-Germany will not maintain any fortifications or armed forces less than fifty kilometers to the east of the Rhine, hold any maneuvers, nor within that limit maintain any works to facilitate mobilization. In case of violation she shall be regarded as committing a hostile act against the powers who sign the present treaty and as intending to disturb the peace of the world.

Alsace and Lorraine-The territories ceded to Germany by the treaty of Frankfort are restored to France with their frontiers as before 1871, to date from the signing of the armistice, and to be free of all public debts.

All public property and private property of German ex-sovereigns pa.s.ses to France without payment or credit. France is subst.i.tuted for Germany as regards owners.h.i.+p of the railroads and rights over concessions of tramways. The Rhine bridges pa.s.s to France, with the obligation for the upkeep.

Political condemnations during the war are null and void and the obligation to repay war fines is established as in other parts of allied territory.

The Saar-In compensation for the destruction of coal mines in northern France and as payment on account of reparation, Germany cedes to France full owners.h.i.+p of the coal mines of the Saar basin with the subsidiaries, accessories and facilities.

After fifteen years a plebiscite will be held by communes to ascertain the desires of the population as to continuance of the existing regime under the league of nations, union with France or union with Germany. The right to vote will belong to all inhabitants of over 20 years resident therein at the time of the signature.

Section 4. German Austria-Germany recognizes the total independence of German Austria in the boundaries traced.

Germany recognizes the entire independence of the Czecho-Slovak state. The five allied and a.s.sociated powers will draw up regulations a.s.suring East Prussia full and equitable access to and use of the Vistula.

Danzig-Danzig and the district immediately about it is to be const.i.tuted into the free city of Danzig under the guaranty of the league of nations.

Denmark-The frontier between Germany and Denmark will be fixed by the self-determination of the population.