History of the American Negro in the Great World War | Page 9

no record that
Sophie Chotek sympathized with the aims of her countrymen or that
she was not in complete accord with the views of her husband and the
political interests of the empire. But the experiences of the Germans
and Austrians had taught them that a Bohemian was likely to remain
always a Bohemian and that his freedom-loving people would not
countenance plans having in view the enslavement of other nations.
The Germans may have looked with suspicion upon the Bohemian wife
of the archduke and thought it advisable to remove her also.
Prinzip was thrown into prison and kept there until he died. No
statement he may have made ever had a chance to reach the world. No
one knows whether he was a German or a Serbian tool. He does not
seem to have been an anarchist; neither does he seem to have been of
the type that would commit such a crime voluntarily, knowing full well
the consequences. It is not hard to believe that he was under pay and
promised full protection.
Probably no Bohemian considers Sophie Chotek a martyr; indeed, the
evidence is strong that she was not. Her heart and soul probably were
with her royal spouse. But an interesting outcome is, that her
assassination, a contributing cause to the war, finally led to the
downfall of Germany, the wreck of Austria, the freedom of her native
country, and that Spiritual Emancipation of nations and races, then so
gloriously under way.
Also, to the thoughtful and philosophic observer of maturing symptoms
transpiring continuously in the affairs of mankind; the fate of those
nations of earth that in their strength and arrogance mock the Master,
furnish a striking corroborative vindication of the Negro's faith in the

promises of the Lord; the glory and power of His coming. From the
date, reckoning from moment and second, that Gavrio Prinzip done to
death the heir to the throne of Austria-Hungary and his duchess, there
commenced not alone a new day, a new hope and Emancipation of the
whites of earth; empire kingdom, principality and tribe, but of the
blacks; the Negro as well, so mysteriously; bewilderingly, moves God
His wonders to perform.
It was that subliminated faith in the ubiquity and omniscience of God;
the unchangeableness of His word; than which the world has witnessed;
known nothing finer; the story of the concurrent causes that projected
the Negro into the World War, from whence he emerged covered with
glory, followed by the plaudits of mankind, that became the inspiration
of this work--his story of devotion, valor and patriotism; of
unmurmuring sacrifice; worthy the pens of the mighty, but which the
historian, as best he may will tell: "NOTHING extenuate, nor set down
AUGHT in malice."
CHAPTER II
HANDWRITING ON THE WALL
Likened to Belshazzar--The Kaiser's Feasts--In His Heart Barbaric
Pride of the Potentates of Old--German Madness for War--Insolent
Demands--Forty-eight Hours to Prevent a World War--Comment of
Statesmen and Leaders--The War Starts--Italy Breaks Her
Alliance--Germanic Powers Weighed and Found Wanting--Spirit Wins
Over Materialism--Civilization's Lamp Dimmed but not Darkened.
Belshazzar of Babylon sat at a feast. Very much after the fashion of
modern kings they were good at feasting in those olden days. The
farthest limits of the kingdom had been searched for every delight and
delicacy. Honeyed wines, flamingo's tongues, game from the hills,
fruits from vine and tree, spices from grove and forest, vegetables from
field and garden, fish from stream and sea; every resource of Mother
Earth that could contribute to appetite or sensual pleasure was brought
to the king's table. Singers, minstrels, dancers, magicians, entertainers

of every description were summoned to the palace that they might
contribute to the vanity of the monarch, and impress the onlooking
nations about him.
He desired to be known and feared as the greatest monarch on earth;
ruling as he did over the world's greatest city. His triumphs had been
many. He had come to believe that his power proceeded directly from
the god Bel, and that he was the chosen and anointed of that deity.
This was the period of his prime; of Babylon's greatest glory; his
kingdom seemed so firmly established he had no thought it could be
shaken. But misleading are the dreams of kings; his kingdom was
suddenly menaced from without, by Cyrus of Persia, another great
monarch. There were also dangers from within, but courtiers and
flatterers kept this knowledge from him. Priests of rival gods had set
themselves up within the empire; spies from without and conspirators
within were secretly undermining the power of the intrenched despot.
Such was Belshazzar in his pride; such his kingdom and empire. And,
so it was, this was to be an orgy that would set a record for all time to
come.
Artists and artisans of the highest skill