[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.
Incidents occurring between these colored troops and the natives of the occupied district, and which have been investigated by French military authorities, have been in the proportion of 1 to 1,594 men. About one-fourth of such cases have resulted in condemnations of from 30 days to 10 years’ imprisonment, according to the gravity of the charge. The remaining cases have been dismissed on account of inability to substantiate charges or because of a lack of good faith on the part of German authorities who brought charges.
The French Government has made no attempt to officially disprove the accusations concerning the behavior of the troops. It has, however, unofficially supplied facts and figures through its press agencies to various countries. So far as I am able to ascertain, the recent behavior of these troops has been on an average with the conditions above reported.
The delay on the part of the foreign office in supplying this information after several requests was not due to lack of interest, but to difficulty in obtaining figures. That office has promised further information within a few days, which I shall forward as soon as it is received.
Wallace.
February 11, 1921.
Hon. Stephen G. Porter,
House of Representatives.
Sir: Again reverting to my letter of January 17, 1921, in regard to the House joint resolution No. 433, concerning French colored troops in occupied Germany, I beg to refer to Appendix X of that letter, which was a photostat copy of a leaflet entitled “The Black Evil,” and bearing the American flag at the top. This matter was brought to the attention of the American commissioner in Berlin, with instructions to make inquiries in regard to its origin.
I am now in receipt of a telegram from Mr. Dresel stating that the minister for foreign affairs, Mr. Simons, assures him “emphatically that the foreign office has had nothing to do with this propaganda, of which he utterly disapproves as injurious to Germany.” Mr. Simons further stated that if he could discover who was financially responsible for this leaflet he would insist on these activities being stopped.
I beg to send this information to you as pertinent to the subject of joint resolution No. 433, which is being examined by your committee.
I have the honor to be, sir,
Your obedient servant,