[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.]
Sra,—The denial, by the Secretary of the Friends of France, that any black troops are stationed in the Rhine and Ruhr areas was based upon the letter, which I enclose, from the Inspector-General of French Artillery. This letter, as you will see, states that all the Senegalese were-withdrawn in April, 1920, and all the Malgaches in November, 1921.
Now, personally, I do not see why black troops should not be used to garrison the occupied areas ; in any case, the English are the last who should raise objections, as they have employed coloured soldiers in all their campaigns, even in the Boer War, as was admitted by -Mr. Balfour in the House of Commons. With reference to Mx. S_prigge's allusions to the crime of rape, may I be permitted to make two observa- tions ? Firstly, very few people believe that rape is possible ; secondly, having had many opportunities of observing negroes in Africa, the West Indies, the United States and Central America, I have come to the 'conclusion that negroes are not attracted by white women ; indeed, I am quite sure that negroes in their native state in Africa—such as the Senegalese and Malgaches, from which the French coloured troops are recruited—are repelled by white women.—I am,
[The letter from General Maurin which Major de Mont- morency enclosed certainly states that the Senegalese were withdrawn in April, 1920, and the Malgaches in November, 1921.—ED. Spectator.]
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