CHAPTER XII.
NEGRO SLACKERS AND PACIFISTS UNKNOWN SUCH WORDS NOT IN HIS VOCABULARY--DESERTIONS EXPLAINED--GENERAL CROWDER EXONERATES NEGRO--NO WILLFUL DELINQUENCY--STRENUOUS EFFORTS TO MEET REGULATIONS--NO "CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTORS"-- NO DRAFT EVADERS OR RESISTERS--NEGRO'S DEVOTION SUBLIME--JUSTIFIES HIS FREEDOM--FORGETS HIS SORROWS--RISES ABOVE HIS WRONGS--TESTIMONY OF LOCAL BOARDS--GERMAN PROPAGANDA WASTED--A NEW AMERICANISM.
The only phase of the selective draft in which the Negro seemed to be discredited in comparison with his white brother, was in the matter of desertions.

At first glance and without proper analysis, the record appeared to be against the Negro.

Upon detailed study, however, the case takes on a different aspect.

The records of the Provost Marshall General show that out of 474,861 reported deserters, 369,030 were white registrants, and 105,831 colored, the ratio of white reported deserters to white registrants being 3.86, and the ratio of colored reported deserters to colored registrants being 9.81.Everyone knows now that many, yes, the bulk of the reported desertions among both whites and blacks, were not desertions at all.

Circumstances simply prevented the men from keeping in touch with their local boards or from reporting when called.
Desertions among white registrants might have shown a greater percentage had they not availed themselves of the exemption feature of the law.
Negroes did not understand this clause in the act so well.