nt graduate in the regular army. There are
however four regiments of Colored troops, two of infantry, and two
of cavalry, and these have been maintained for 52 years, (since
1866), and more than two hundred officers find places in the four
Colored regiments. These two hundred officers, with about three
exceptions are white officers. In all, only twelve Negroes have
held commissions in the regular army. Of this number seven were
Chaplains and two were paymasters.

"In 1917 there were two first lieutenants; and (then) Major Charles
Young in the regular army. Hence only two officers of the line and
only one of the staff (other than Chaplains), out of more than two
hundred who found places with the four colored regiments.

"We need not stop for the reasons why Negroes have not been
attending West Point, nor even admitted there for the past 32
years. Certain it is they have not been attending the nation's
great military school, and certain it is that in law, good
conscience and right, one cadet at West Point in every twelve
should be a Negro.

"The future lies before us. The four regiments of Colored Troops
have vindicated their right to be maintained as such by having made
for the army some of its finest traditions. Why not have the four
colored regiments officered by colored men from the Colonel down to
the second lieutenants?

"The United States is just making an end to a glorious
participation in the great world's war. In this war the Negro
soldiers played well their part. They laughed in the face of death
on the firing line; they have been awarded the 'Ribbon' and the
Croix de Guerre--with palms. Who were their officers?

"From the officers training camp at Fort Des Moines, Iowa, 639
colored men were commissioned. Since then 267 more have been
commissioned, not counting those in Medical Reserve Corps, nor the
41 Chaplains. Colored Captains and Lieutenants led colored soldiers
"Over the Top" and commanded them on march and in trench. Many
officers were given but three months in the officer's Training
camp; many of them had served as non-commissioned officers in one
of the four colored regiments. But not one word of criticism or
complaint of them has reached us. Their adaptability to their new
duties is beyond cavil. Their efficiency,