However, there has not been lacking those who have spoken out, who have raised their voices in protest against what they deemed an injustice to the loyal “fighting men” of their race, and so feeling, have not hesitated to make their plea to those above empowered to listen, regardless of the mood in which they did so.

As long ago as the summer of 1915, or to be exact, August 26th of that year, Capt.  R.P.  Roots of Seattle, Washington, addressed a letter to the Hon. Lindley M. Garrison at Washington, at the time Secretary of War, directing his attention to the discrepancy of assignment complained of, accompanied with certain suggestions; having to do with a condition that the government must eventually face; that will not down, and must sooner or later be abrogated.  Captain Roots’ communication to the Secretary of War, also one addressed to the Hon. Joseph Tumulty, private secretary to President Wilson, follows: 

                                     “Seattle, Wash., August 26, 1915. 
     “Hon. Lindley M. Garrison, Secretary of War,
     Dear Sir:  As an ex-officer of the Spanish-American war, having served as
     Captain of Company “E” of the Eighth Illinois Volunteers, I am taking
     the liberty to ask that, if you should recommend any increase in the
     Army you give the Negro a chance in the manner, and for reasons I shall
     further explain. 
          You will notice by my service with the 8th Illinois that I am a
     colored man, and as such am offering these suggestions, which, in the
     main, are just. 
          If the increase is sufficient, we should have: 
          Two coast artillery companies. 
          One regiment of field artillery (In these branches we are not
     represented at all). 
          One regiment of cavalry. 
          The above to be embodied in the Regular Army and to be officered as
     you think fit. 
          But my main object is:  Three Regiments of Infantry officered from
     colonel down with colored men.  I should not have these Infantry
     Regiments of the regular service for the reason that to appoint officers
     to the rank of Colonel, Majors, etc., would not be fair to the regular
     service officers, and would interfere with the promotion of the same,
     but I would have them rank as volunteers.  Give them the name of
     “IMMUNES,” “Foreign service regiments,” or any other name that you
     choose. 
          My further reasons are as to officering these regiments, that there
     would be many misfits in such organizations and I would leave it so that
     you or the President could remove them without prejudice from the
     service, but to fill by other colored men the vacancies that