of its
crew and presumably went to their watery graves in order that German
militarism might be crushed.

What a strange episode if, indeed, these are the facts in this most
unfortunate incident. In intelligent circles, it should and will mark
the beginning of a period of racial justice and equity. When one's deeds
and character will invariably constitute the exponent of one's
appreciation.

THE NEGRO TRUE AND LOYAL.

Caucasian treachery in some of our national perils presented no charms
for the Negro whose proven fidelity everywhere and on every occasion
marks him the great American advocate in fact as well as in profession.

If these accusations should in the end prove true, which is highly
possible, would it not have been wiser on the part of the directors of
our naval policy, when the urgent pressure for manpower to officer the
expanding navy of the United States asserted itself, to have recognized
the ability and merit of scores of black men, whose years of faithful
and efficient service in the navy of the United States and unquestioned
fidelity to duty justly entitle them to the command of a vessel of this
character, instead of utilizing the services of men of questioned
loyalty and doubtful allegiance to command our naval vessels? For such
an act of base and unpardonable treachery is unthinkable to a Negro.
Rather would he most willingly have seen his last drop of rich loyal
blood flow in torrents of effusion than to leave to his progeny such a
record of shame and infamy.

THE JACOB JONES.

Another incident in which the Negro displayed his constant willingness
to die for the cause of America and its ideals was when the United
States torpedo boat destroyer _Jacob Jones_ was destroyed by a torpedo
fired from a German submarine. This ship was one of six of an escorting
group which was returning independently from Brest, France, to
Queensland, Ireland. The following extract from the report of its
commanding officer gives in brief detail the manner in which the
majority of its crew met their death in an effort to uphold the
principles of democracy. On this vessel, as well as all others that were
lost, the Negro served, bled, and died, side by side with white men in a
desperate struggle to subdue the German U-boat.

"I was in the chart house and heard some one cry out, 'Torpedo.' I
jumped at once to the bridge and on the way up saw the torpedo about
eight hundred yards from the ship approaching from about