Evening Republican, Volume 19, Number 112, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 12 May 1915 — Roosevelt Strong for Action, But Taft Leaves It to Wilson [ARTICLE]

Roosevelt Strong for Action, But Taft Leaves It to Wilson

WHAT T. R. SAYS.

Syracuse, N. Y., May 11.—Former President Theodore Roosevelt tonight made a plea for prompt action fay the United States on account of the Lusitania disaster, while commenting on President Wilson’s speech pf 'last night to a gathering of naturalized Americans in Philadelphia, Colonel Roosevelt was particularly interested in that part of the president’s speech iii which the latter referred to “such a thing as a man being tpo proud to fight” and “a nation being so right that it does not meed to convince others by force that it is right.” “I think .that China is entitled to draw all the comfort she can from this statement,” said Colonel Roosevelt, “and it would be well for the United States to ponder seriously what the effect upon China has been of managing her foreign affairs during the last fifteen years on the theory thus enunciated. “If the United States is satisfied with occupying some time in the future the precise international position that China now occupies, then the United States can afford to act on this theory. But it cannot act on the theory if it desires to retain or regain the position won for it under Washington and the men who, in the days of Abraham Lincoln, wore the blue under Grant and the gray under Lee. “I very earnestly hope that he will act promptly. The proper time for deliveration was prior to sending the message that our government would hold Germany to a ‘strict accountability’ if it did the things which it has now actually done. \ “The 150 babdes drowned on the Lusitania, the. hundreds of woman drowned with them —scores of these women and children being Americans —and the American ship, the Gulflight, which was torpedoed, offer in eloquent commentary on the actual working of the theory that it is not necessary to assert rights and that a policy of blood and iron can with efficacy be met v/ith a policy of blood and water.

“I see it stated in the dispatches from Washington that Germany now offers to stop the practice of murder on .the high seas committed in violation of the neutral rights she is pledged to preserve if we will now abandon further neutral rights, which by her treaty she has solemnly pledged to see that we exercise without moelstation. Such a proposal is not even entitled to an answer. The manufacture and shipment of arms and ammunition to any belligerent is moral or immoral, according to the use to which the arms and munitions are to

be put. If they are to be used to prevent the redress of hideous wrongs inflicted on Belgium then it is immoral to ship them. If they are to be used for the redress of those wrongs and the restoration of Belgium to her 'deeply wronged and unoffending people, then it is eminently* moral to send them. “Without itwenty-four hours’ delay this country should and could take effective action by declaring that in view of Germany’s murderous offemsds against the rights of neutrals, all commerce with Germany shall be forthwith forbidden and all >cammeroe of every kind permitted and encouraged with France, England apd the rest of the civilized world. “This should not be a declaration of war. It would merely prevent munitions of war being sent to a power, which by its conduct has shown willingness to use munitions for the slaughter of unoffending men, women and children. “I do not believe that the firm assertion of our rights means war, but

it is well to remember that there are things worse than war. “Let us as a nation understand that peace is of worth only when it is the hand maiden of international righteousness and of national self respect.”