Kelly Miller's History of the World War for Human Rights Part 64

[Ill.u.s.tration: NEGRO NURSES MARCH IN GREAT RED CROSS PARADE ON FIFTH AVENUE, NEW YORK CITY.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: THE ARREST OF THE a.s.sa.s.sIN.

Scene immediately after the murder of the Archduke and Archd.u.c.h.ess of Austria in the streets of Sarajevo, Bosnia. The arrest of Gavrio Princip, the murderer.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: NATIONAL GUARDSMAN WEARING COMPLETE EQUIPMENT, READY FOR WAR.

A soldier's equipment consists of a great number of articles, skillfully packed so that they make a small bundle, considering the number of articles. The kit includes a blanket, rifle, bayonet, kit bag, cartridge belt, canteen, pan, plate, knife, fork, spoon, tent spikes, rubber blanket and other miscellaneous articles. The photo shows three views--side, front and back, with equipment attached.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: THE PEACE CONFERENCE AT PARIS

This remarkable photograph taken during the Peace Conference at Paris shows President Wilson and President Poincare in the center background (directly underneath the clock). Seated next to Mr. Wilson is Secretary of State Lansing. Next to President Poincare at the right are seated Lloyd George, Balfour and Bonar Law. At the long table to the left of the photo we see seated Clemenceau, Pichon and Marshal Foch.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: CARRYING OLD GLORY THROUGH LONDON.

United States soldiers, carrying the Stars and Stripes and Regimental Standard, pa.s.sed cheering crowds at the head of a National army command that marched through London on May 11th, 1918.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: MARSHAL J. JOFFRE AND PARTY IN WAs.h.i.+NGTON, D.C.

This photograph was taken at the State, War and Navy Building, just after they had called on Secretary of War Baker. Joffre stands on the lower step in the centre of the picture.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: SIR DOUGLAS HAIG.

This is a late photograph of the commander of the British armies in France.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: SOLDIERS OF THE DIFFERENT NATIONS ENGAGED IN THE WORLD WAR.

This picture shows the portraits and headdress of reprsentative fighters now engaged in the European war.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: CAPTURE OF BAPAUME BY BRITISH.

Scene on the day British troops entered Bapaume, a French city evacuated by the Germans in their retreat to the Hindenburg line. Cheerful British soldiers are seen in a street.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: FRENCH Pa.s.sING THROUGH RECAPTURED NOYON.

They are on the heels of the Germans. The photograph shows how the town was wrecked by the Germans before they evacuated.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: HORSE AND MAN ALIKE PROTECTED FROM GAS ATTACK.

French army horses wearing gas masks, which look at first sight like oat bags. They are used when the animals have to cross a gas zone in drawing the sh.e.l.l wagons to the batteries.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: ONE OF THE METHODS OF TRANSPORTING WOUNDED.

This man is being taken over mountainous regions, and the method of transportation has been devised in order to minimize the shock.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: "V-I-C-T-O-R-Y."

Sailors spelling the word "VICTORY" with flags.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: Sighting through the 40 power telescope on the U.S.S.

Pennsylvania. Objects at great distances are clearly distinguished through this telescope.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: BRITISH SAILORS IN NEW YORK.

They are from the H.M.S. Roxburgh, and took part in welcoming the arrival of Gen. Joffre in New York City]

[Ill.u.s.tration: THE GREAT AMERICAN HABIT.

French Jackies, for the first time in the United States, learn all the delights of the great American drink, the Ice Cream Soda.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: BENJAMIN BAYLOR.

Wardroom Steward, U.S.N. Lost when U.S.A.C.T. TICONDEROGA was torpedoed and sunk September 30, 1918.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: WILLIAM GARFIELD MARSHALL.

Wardroom Officer's Steward, U.S.N. Lost when U.S.A.C.T. TICONDEROGA was torpedoed and sunk September 30, 1918.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: SURVIAN AUSTIN WILLIAMS.

Mess Attendant U.S.N. Lost on U.S.S. CYCLOPS, June 14, 1918.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: T.A. LOUNDEO.

Water Tender, U.S.N. 909 N. 5th St., Richmond, Va.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: WM. M.T. BECKLEY.

Mess Attendant, 1c, U.S.N. Fell overboard and drowned, U.S.S. OZARK, July 25, 1918.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: GEORGE FOWLER.

Cabin Steward U.S.N. Lost when Liberty Boat capsized, U.S.S. LANSDALE.

December 6, 1918.]

In doing so, he accepted the challenge of no mere enigma. Of his own volition, he entered upon the path that led through untrod and dangerous ground. It was his problem to cut the Gordian knot of Anglo-Saxon icy reserve that in the end fair England might a.s.sume as a policy of world administration the award of citizens.h.i.+p rights to the darker races in the sphere of influence of the league of civilized nations. It was a part of this problem to enter the equation with such deliberate caution as to upset no part of the nicely calculated adjustments of white to darker peoples. And it was also a part of his problem that he should not relinquish his grasp upon the factors that led to honor, recognition and equality.

Germany was indignant as the Negro sought entry to the war. The South was sensitive. The North was quizzical. The whole world was hesitant.

The too ardent favor which the Negro found in France gave offence to both America and England. Indeed, for the Negro to lift himself too rapidly by his own bootstraps would have offended England, whose law prohibited emigration of foreign Negroes to South Africa. And it would also offend America, strangely jealous of any sign of unwanted a.s.sertiveness the Negro might display. The Negro accepted the challenge to penetrate this maze and labyrinth, with no surety, save G.o.d's good grace, of the fate that lay beyond.

To attain the goal of Recognition, it was necessary for him to demand of the people of England, France and Italy, that he be made subject to every test calculated to reveal his worth or inferiority as an individual, business, political or social equal of the allied peoples.

The goal of Honor, he had attained in every war waged by America. He was with Jackson at New Orleans, a pioneer in the Mexican struggle, 200,000 strong in the great civil crisis, the acme of terror to Geronimo in the later Indian wars, the hero of San Juan in the Spanish-American combat, and at Carrizal in the latest Mexican imbroglio. By 1914, however, he had lost all rewards of honor which he had previously won. As for Equality, since the Civil War, he had been guaranteed this goal by three amendments to the Const.i.tution of the United States. These forgotten amendments read in part:

"Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime, whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction....

"All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law, nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws....

"Representatives shall be apportioned among the several States according to their respective numbers, counting the whole number of persons in each State....