The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1903-09-11
FRIDAY, SEPT. II, 1903.
UNFAIR CRITICISM.

7 he @ 10 b e has no more use for the
critics who find fault with President
Roosevelt for the mere pleasure of
finding fault with him than it has for
the parasites who rush in to beslaver
him with undeserved praise, and pick
their facts and twist their figures in
order that he may not bear blame when
and where he has earned it. We have
never been able to understand why
criticism is not most effective when 1t
is fair; or why one should think it
necessary to treat either friend or en-
envy, for public uses and political rea-
sons, as he would scorn to treat either
in private life.
Therefore T h G o b expresses its
dissent from the views of those
who are now abusing the presi-
dent in several different languages
for his course in sending a fleet to
Turkish waters and keeping it there.
They assert that this would have been
done only by a rash and impetuous
man; that the presence of warships at
this time is likely to infiame the minds
of the populace and lead to still further
outrage; and that the policy is but
bit Of the consistent jingoism that
President Roosevelt cultivates as an
attitude.
Now We are not prepared to deny
that the president attitudinizes, or that
too many of his acts are planned with
reference to his own political future.
But we do not. in the matter in ques-
ton, find him open to the slightest re-
preach. He has done only what any
other president conscious of his dignity
and his duty would have done, in Or
dering warships to Beirut and in keep
ing them there as long as they can be
of service. Had he failed to do this,
and had the lives and property of
American citizens paid the penalty, he
would have been abused just as heart
lily for failure to act by the same per-
sons who now abuse him for acting.
The first report of trouble in which
this country could be interested was
news Of the murder of Consul Magels-
sen. Everybody at the moment believ-
ed it true; and, believing it true there
was nothing to be done but order the
fleet to Beirut. When the correction
came the situation was only a little
altered. Our representative escaped
with his life, but an assault was made.
No one knew how soon, in the uproar
and turmoil, it might be repeated No
one knew what demonstration might
be excited by it against other Amer
leans. Obviously it was good time to
have an American force on hand whose
mere presence would inspire respect.
The policy is not new one, and
there is nothing whatever about it even
to excite remark except that the scene
of its operations happens to be the
coast of the Mediterranean instead of
that Of South America or the isthmus.
Whenever there is any disturbance in
Valparaiso or Panama or any. such
place, the first act of the adninistra-
ton, no matter what party in power,
is to order our nearest naval repre-
sentative to the scene. The next. if
American interests are assailed or are
In grave danger, is to land marines for
purposes Of protection. 1t has been
done scores of times on this continent.
1t will be done again. And nobody pre-
tends to think that the liberties of the
country invaded are endangered, or
that it has been insulted or that our
government is transcending its powers.
What sense is there in ignoring all the
presidents in order to make a point
against a particular man or given
party?
The situation in Turkey today is such
that every American citizen must be