John Milton Waldron to Woodrow Wilson

Washington, D. C.,
His Excellency, President Woodrow Wilson,
The Executive Mansion,Washington, D. C.

Honored Sir
The undersigned, representing “The Committee of 100 Colored Citizens on the War”, composed of representatives of numerous civic and religious organizations, Howard, Atlanta, Fisk, Lincoln and Virginia Union Universities; Hampton and Tuskegee and other representative schools and colleges are petitioning the War Department to establish a special officers' training camp for the training of Colored officers for the Colored regiments in the New Federal Army. Secretary Baker now has the matter under consideration and has promised a decision this week.
The War Department deemed it in-advisable to admit Colored men to the fourteen regular training camps and suggested a separate camp. Our young men are so anxious to serve their country in this crisis that they are willing to accept a separate camp. Fifteen hundred qualified men have already made application for admission to such a camp and their applications are in the hands of the Secretary of War. Howard University, a government Institution offers the use of its Buildings and grounds for its camp in case other situations are not available.
This opportunity for our representative young men to receive training as officers is not only necessary for the proper efficiency of the army but it is also essential to the active and hearty patriotism of ten million Colored citizens. They stand ready to give themselves and all they possess, to this noble cause to which the nation has dedicated itself but they need the encouragement of a fair opportunity to demonstrate their loyalty on the field both as privates and as officers.
We feel assurred that you will sympathize with us in our petition and we most respectfully request you to bring the matter favorably to the attention of Secretary of War Baker before it is finally settled to-morrow.
Assuring you of the united support and loyalty of the Colored race in this great crisis, we have the honor to remain,

THE COMMITTEE OF 100 CITIZENS ON THE WAR.
John Milton Waldron
President.

CENTRAL COMMITTEE OF NEGRO COLLEGE MEN
Chairman.
Montgomery Gregory