New-York tribune., 1906-04-18
THE FRENCH TESTIMONIAL

| Peculiar interest and peculiar grace are at
| tached to the action of the French Parilamen-
tary Group of Arbitration and lnternauohdi
| Cancellation in presenting testmonlal 10 freSi-
! dent Roosevelt in recognition OF MS services
! in the promotion of peace and justice among the
nations. Such interest is intrinsic 10 the ma
i terial form of the testimonial. first edition
copy Of Suly's Memoirs is treasure any DlDlo-
phile would prize and in its reminder that the
reign of law and peace among nations was a
! proposal OF Henri Quatres reign it is equally a
| treasure TO any friend of arbitration ana OF
amity In striking contrast TO the ancient tome
| yet in appropriate accord with 1t, is the dedl-
| catory volume containing the autographs of
Frances men of light and leading of to-day.
| fine reminder of the practical efficiency with
! which French statesmen promoting the
| Grand Design" which Henry of Navarro and
| Sully were compelled to leave design and
nothing more There is no more rational and
auspiciOus movement for international peace
! and Justice in the world to-day than that which
! is represented by this French Parliamentary
group.
There is a manifold fitness, moreover, in the
object OF this presentation. 1t would be super
fiuous to dwell in detail upon President RooSe-
velts services to the cause of peace Posi-
bly, Baron d'Estournelles de Constant had most
Immediately in mind the Presidents prompt
mentary groups In taking the initiative for a
second congress at The Hague. That in itself
was a memorable and beneficent achievement.
But other things come readily to mind: The
Presidents strong and successful personal me-
diation between Russia and Japan; the equally
successful circumScripton of the scope of the
war in Eastern Asia; the attitude of this ma
ton in the Venezuelan troubles of a short time
ago; the admirable efforts of the administra-
ton TO evoke order from chaos in Santo Do
mingo; the peace making part played by the
American ENJOYS at AlgeciraS These and many
other things have shown this President of the
big stick to be one of the most sincere and
efficient friends of peace, and have greatly
commended him, not to peace at any price"
fanatics but certainly to all who, like these
French statesmen, in a rational manner seek
peace founded upon justice.
1t will not detract from the honor and praise
which are thus given to the President, and which
are indisputably his due, TO note that these are
in measure reflected upon the nation of which
he is the Chief Magistrate. Scarcely any other
man than he. let us grant could have done
what he has done in these matters Equally true
is 1t that there is scarcely another nation as the
head of which he himself could have done it.
There was necessary the happy combination of
his unique personality and the unique character
istics of this nationits strength its dsinterest-
edness. it's freedom from suspicious entangle-
ments, intrigues and alliances. American graft
ficatOn in this episode will be, therefore, based
upon the Presidents eminent title to receive such
a tribute upon Frances generous recognition of
that title and upon the fact that in the elements
which contribute thereto the President is In
perhaps the highest and best sense, representa-
tive Of that which is highest and best in the
American nation