WW1 Soldier's relations with colored troops handout

This is a piece from a handout I found in a box published at some point during the first World War. During WW1, the War Department stopped taking minority volunteers because colored army quotas were filled. Minorities were not allowed in the Marines, Coast Guard or Air Force. Only the Navy accepted them. Even with this fact, Newton D. Baker the Secretary of War stated that "Every case of racial discrimination or injustice that was brought to official attention, involving either Negro draftees and soldiers or Negro war workers and civilians, was taken up and brought to the attention of the proper officials of the Government, including the War and other Departments, the Military Intelligence Bureau, and in some cases the Department of Justice."

Two million blacks registered for ww1 however only 31 percent were accepted to 26 percent of the white men. Newton D. Baker the Secretary of War stated that "The relations between the colored and white men in the camps containing both have been worked out on a very satisfactory basis, and little or no trouble seems likely to arise. All of my reports indicate that the colored men are accepting this as an opportunity to serve and not an occasion for creating discord or trouble, and white men and officers are passing over the question of race difference in a helpful spirit."

Theodore Roosevelt said "I congratulate all colored men and women and all their white fellow-Americans upon the gallantry and efficiency with which the colored men have behaved at the front, and the efficiency and wish to render service which have been shown by both the colored men and the colored women behind them in this country." General Purshing stated "A tour of inspection among American Negro troops by officers of these headquarters shows the comparatively high degree of training and efficiency among these troops. Their training is identical with that of other American troops serving with the French Army, the effort being to lead all American troops gradually to heavy combat duty by a preliminary service in trenches in quiet sectors."

First Day: The Soldier and His Mates

The whole question of racial and social class distinctions face one in a new way on enlisting. In the army all are forced to live together, regardless of wealth or position in civilian life. Thoughtfulness is therefore doubly necessary. Sarcasm is dangerous. The importance of small matters is likely to be exaggerated when men are under a strain.

Colored troops have done valiant service in the cause of the United States and should be given their just due. Confidence in and devotion to comrades, and the sinking of all personal advantages is especially meritorious in the Army. Should not the regular and the “rookie’ realize that each is enlisted for identically the same purpose.

One of the tests of a soldier is whether or not he is able to give his i1eas so one whom in civilian life he might have regarded as his inferior and see the latter become a great success while he gets no special mention whatever. This constitutes a sincere enlistment of his life with the fortunes of his mates.