lf face
to face with a revolution. The presence and loyalty of these MILLION
NEGROES might mean much for the stability of this government.
"I have spoken plainly because I am a citizen; this is my country. I was
born here, and shall at all times be found with the flag; hence I ask,
that in your recommendations, looking to the betterment and enlargement
of the army, you give THE BLACK PATRIOT such consideration, as I cannot
but feel is due him, the thousands of young colored men who have passed
through colleges and schools in an effort to prepare themselves for
filling a place in the world.
"I am opposed to segregation, but as it seems, under the present
conditions of the races socially to be the ONLY way to a square deal, I
accept it. There are Irish regiments, German regiments, etc., let us
then have Negro regiments. The coming generations will look after the
rest. I am, very respectfully,
R.P. ROOTS
400 26th Ave., North, Late Capt. 8th Ill. Vol. Infantry."

"Seattle, Wash., Nov. 9, 1915.
"Hon Joseph Tumulty, Secretary to the President, Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir:--I am enclosing a copy of a letter sent to the Secretary of
War, which I would be very much pleased to have you call the President's
attention to, and ask if he can approve of it.
"I was not fully informed as to the President's policy in regard to
Haiti at the time of writing, and am not now, except through such
information as received by the daily press. Taking that, in the main as
authentic, I wish to add that I think a Brigade of Colored Troops, such
as recommended in my letter to the Secretary for foreign service, would
be the proper thing for Haiti.
"It being a Negro Republic, the racial feeling as to the Negro's
treatment in this country, which I need not mention, has been enlarged
upon and not understood by the Negroes of other parts of the world, so
that as it seems to me, to organize a constabulary officered by white
Americans, would be inviting murder; for agitators from other
governments, if they so desired, would soon cause a rebellion, and then
you would have it all to do over again.
"Colored troops from this country, I mean officers as well, would tend
to cause a