tent for advancement
to commissioned rank, and this source furnished experienced and capable
officers. But more were needed and they came from new recruits. It early
became evident that as the new men came into the service they should be
tried out for officer qualifications and that those having talent should
receive special instruction to prepare them for officer duty. Officer
material schools were hastily improvised in the various naval districts
at the outbreak of war to train the new men coming in, etc."

In the face of the above admission of the serious shortage of qualified
men, it can not be understood why the awarding of commissions was made
to inexperienced white boys with no prior naval experience or
demonstrated ability in preference to the Negro, who has demonstrated
his fitness and ability by years of faithful service in every phase of
naval activity to which he has been given access.

GERMAN PROPAGANDA EFFORT.

But, in spite of these outward and open acts of prejudice and
oppression, the Negro never wavered in the loyal performance of any
duty, however humble or arduous with which he was charged. And it might
be mentioned that these acts of oppression were brought to his attention
and emphasized by subtle German propagandists, who hoped to alienate his
affections and devotion from his native country. As an example of this
diabolical scheme, the following letter, which was dropped from German
balloons over a sector held by Negro troops, in September, 1918, is
quoted:

"To the Colored Soldiers and Sailors of the United States: Hello, boys!
What are you doing over here? Fighting the Germans? Why? Have they ever
done you any harm? Of course, some white folks and the lying
English-American papers told you that the Germans ought to be wiped out
for the sake of humanity and democracy. What is democracy? Personal
freedom, all citizens enjoying the same rights socially and before the
law. Do you enjoy the same rights as the white people do in America, the
land of freedom and democracy? Or, are you not rather treated over there
as second-class citizens? Can you go into a restaurant where white
people dine? Can you get a seat in the theatre where white people sit?
Can you get a berth or a seat in the railroad car, or can you even ride
in the South in the same street car with white people? And how about the
law? Is lynching and the most horrible crimes connected therewith, a
lawful proceeding in a democratic cou