Evening Republican, Volume 19, Number 203, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 27 August 1915 — ROOSEVELT SPEECH SEVERELY CRITISIZED [ARTICLE]

ROOSEVELT SPEECH SEVERELY CRITISIZED

Orders Given Gen. Wood at Plattsburg That No Speech of a Similar Nature Be Tolerated.

The speech given by Theodore Roosevelt at the Plattsburg Barracks Wednesday night to the citizen soldiers there has caused much comment and criticism. Roosevelt attacked the administration for the war attitude taken, saying very hostile things, and condemning Germany. It seems that the trouble is falling on Gen. Leonard Wood, who is in charge of the camp and who invited Roosevelt to give his talk. However, it is not his fault, as he knew nothing of what Roosevelt was going to- say. Roosevelt was entirely responsible for lis own remarks. General Wood was critisized by Secretary of War Garrison for allowing the speech to be made and warned not to allow another occurrence of such a nature.

Naturally Roosevelt is putting up a denfense for his speech, saying that ie attacked neither the president or the administration but the nation as a whole. The weakness of his defense is obvious. Had Roosevelt been in the presidential chair and such a speech been, given it is hard to imagine the steps that he would take, but he would probably raise havoc with the speaker. “If the administration had displayed one-tenth the spirit and energy in holding Germany and Mexico to account for the murder of our men, women and children that it is now displaying to prevent our people from being taught the need of preparations to prevent the 'repetition of such murders in the future, it would be rendering a service to the people of this country,” said the former president. Yet he says he doesn’t critisize the administration 1