Moses argued publicly that colonized peoples could not govern themselves

Evidence

With agitation for increased self-government rising in Great Britain’s colonies, Oxford in 1911 sponsored a World Congress on Race Problems to examine the question—along with the broader question of general discrimination by Great Britain against colored people. Delegations were sent by the colonies and by liberal organizations from many European countries. American students selected Moses to represent their country because of his reputation as a debater. … Previous speakers had pleaded for equality, for fraternity, for “immediate brotherhood.” Moses’ point of view was somewhat different. Immediate brotherhood, he said flatly, was “not practical.” The “subject peoples” of the British Empire were simply not ready for self-government yet. Furthermore, he didn’t see any time in the near future when they would be. … As the audience realized what they were hearing, a certain restiveness began to develop. When Moses started explaining—quite clearly—why he didn’t think the “subject peoples” would be ready for self-government for a long time, several subject people rose and charged at him. One step ahead of them was roommate Higgins. He grabbed Moses, shoved him through a door at the back of the speakers’ platform, and hustled him out of the building. — Robert A. Caro, The Power Broker, 225

Categorization

• QUESTION: Moses was selected by American students to represent his country at the 1911 Oxford World Congress on Race Problems — curios how this episode was received and recorded. Worth chasing for how Caro sourced Moses’ speech.