30

SEP 7 1916

THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON

152

August 30, 1916.

Dear Sir:
I have received and value highly the address transmitted to me from
the Hannibal National Democratic League. The appreciation which the League
expresses of the policies of the present administration is gratifying
both as a testimonial of their beneficial character and also as an indication
of the interest which intelligent men, without distinction of race,
are coming to take in the affairs of their government.

The address concludes with the suggestion that there be legislation
looking to the establishment of a military school for the training of negro
youths for military service.

The history of our country shows that from the armies organised under
General Washington down to that at present maintaining the rights of our
people in Mexico, the negro has been a valuable and brave soldier. I am
glad that the military career has been found both open as an opportunity
to negro men and an inspiration to them for the performance of patriotic
and often distinguished service to their country. I an inclined to doubt
the wisdom at this time of the establistment of a seperate school. The
whole problen of military training for the youth of the country is undergoing
study, and the advance in military acience is necessitating radical
departures from earlier methods of training. The War Department is at
present authorized by law to supply military instructors to existing schools
and colleges under certain conditions and already the colleges of the [country]

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