United States Department of State

“ II. A number of cases of rape, attempted rape, sodomy, attempted sodomy, and obscene mishandling of women and girls have occurred on the part of French Negro colonial troops in the Rhinelands. These cases have been occasional and in restricted numbers, not general or widespread. The French military authorities have repressed them severely in most cases and have made a very serious effort to stamp the evil out. The amount of evidence necessary to convict in such cases is a very delicate matter to express opinion upon. ”

“ Senegalese are Negroes.
The American commissioner states that agitation against the black troops is carried on by papers of all political opinions, that the German Government has formally protested to the French Government, that complaints have come from men of all classes, that the papers claim that America should understand the situation on account of our Negro question and charge that assaults have been made on German women, but that the facts can not be checked and that the American consul reported deep anger of population of Frankfort and vicinity [9] over use of black troops. ”

“ Mr. Dresel forwarded to the department also the original German edition of the pamphlet, “Colored Frenchmen on the Rhine,” the American edition of which, published by the New Times of Chicago, appears to be a literal translation with the addition of the words, “An appeal of white women to American womanhood.” It is perhaps worth noting that this pamphlet was published not in the Rhineland, but in Berlin, and that the avoidance of names makes it impossible to verify or disprove the specific allegations. ”

“ Other Negro soldiers have had French wives here, and the color line is not regarded either by the French or the Germans as we regard it in America; to keep the white race pure. At Ludwigshafen, when the Seventh Tirailleurs left for Frankfurt, patrols had to be sent out to drive away the German women from the barracks, where they were kissing the colored troops through the window gratings. ”

“ American Mission,
Berlin (Germany) .
Your 625, June 15, 11 a. m.
Department is in receipt of frequent protests from various organizations and individuals against conduct of French troops in occupied region, particularly alleged mistreatment of German women by [14] French black troops. The wording of these protests suggests that they are inspired by a propaganda agency and are based on reports in German press. Department assumes that you are not in a position to definitely determine the facts in the matter but requests your opinion. ”

“ I. The wholesale atrocities by French Negro colonial troops alleged in the German press, such as the alleged abductions, followed by rape, mutilation, murder, and concealment of the bodies of the victims are false and intended for political propaganda. ”

“ Some cases will never come to light, due to the natural feeling of shame of the women concerned, but they are, in my opinion, cases such as generally occur in any land when soldiery is for a long time quartered upon the population. ”

“ As coeditor of the Continental Times he contributed anti-American articles under assumed names. On January 6, 1919, he was indicted for treason—for writing, publishing, and distributing articles and propaganda in aid of the German cause. These people call themselves Americans, and as far as the department knows are the authors of most of the stories distributed in this country concerning the misconduct of the French black troops. ”

“ Bainbridge Colby.
[Telegram from American Ambassador at Paris, Jan. 29, 1921.]
The total number of troops in the French Army of occupation was 86,000 in December; 16,386 of this number were Moroccans and Algerians and 3,224 were Malgaches. The remainder were white. The figures for January are approximately the same.
Properly speaking, there are no black troops. The Moroccans and Algerians are Arabs of the Mussulman religion and are entirely distinct from the Negro race. The Malagaches are Malays from Madagascar. ”

“ The burgermeister of Saarbrucken, the inspector of the Caserne Petain, Herr Welsch, proprietor of the manure pile; Wilhelm Roth, caretaker; Herr Geppert, employee, have all given written and oral testimony wholly refuting the accusations. ”

“ The department also consulted in this matter the American commissioner in Berlin, stating on June 15, 1920, that it was receiving many protests against the alleged misconduct of French black troops and that the phrasing of the protests suggested possible inspiration from a propaganda bureau. (Appendix VII.) Mr. Dresel replied that protests in Germany were general, emanating from all classes and political parties, that an extensive press propaganda had been carried on and that a mass meeting of protest was soon to be held in Berlin at which certain Americans were to speak. Mr. ”