The Washington herald., 1906-12-10
The Case Of Bellamx storsr.

Fortunately for the country, 1t is sell
dom. indeed, that differences in the ad-
ministrative family are thrashed out in
public. and this fact makes all the more
remarkable the strange and-judged from
the standpoint of ethics and courtesy
the altogether unwarranted disclosures of
private correspondence between himself
ana the President made public by Bel
lamy StOrer, late Ambassador to Vienna.
1t is true that Mr.. Storer states that
his pamphlet was marked private" and
was not intended to be published; but if
he really believed that such a document
could be sent to a number of Senators
and other public men. not to mention
passing through the hands Of the printers.
without finding its way to the newspapers.
then he shows an ignorance of American
public life which is another guarantee
that President Roosevelt made no mistake
in detaching him from the diplomatic
service.
MT. and Mrs. StOrer enjoyed for a long
time the friendship and confidence Of
Mr.. Roosevelt When he was a private
citizen, and the question Of the promotion
Of Archbishop Ireland came up in con
versation, Mr.. Roosevelt. then citizen Of
New York, expressed himself in favor Of
It, knowing as he did that Archbishop
Ireland had done noble work, not only
for his church. but for his country When
he became Vice President II is plain that.
on being importuned to aid in the eIeva-
tion of the archbishop, he was more
I
ton When he became President he real
ized-and he evidently thought the Storers
should realize-that discussions which
were entirely proper in Roosevelt the citi-
zen, or Roosevelt the governor, were not
even permissible in Roosevelt, President
of the United States
The letters of the Bellamy Storers them
selves. no less than Mr.. RooseveIt's let
tiers, make the fact clear that a friendly
and personal interest in the advancement
of Archbishop ireland was unduIy mag
niied abroad; that too much ado was
made over it, and that the episode was
tending to create false impression At the
Vatican. Not once, but many times. Mr..
Roosevelt had TO voice the plea: I shall
ask you not to quote me to any person in
any shape or way in connection with any
affair of the Catholic Church"
Mr.. StOrer says that there was no mis-
use Of the Presidents letters-no use con-
trary to the Presidents own wish: yet we
find that Cardinal RampoIla had been
furnished with parts Of the letters. at
least and the President had to insist
upon their return
President Roosevelt has taken official
cognizance of the Storer publication. He
might more wisely have concluded, we
think, to let the unpleasant episode close
itself It was much OF a tempest in a tea
pot before; now it becomes an affair of
national. even international. moment.
The President has answered the exam
bassador very well; has set himself right
before the country, and rather effectually
disposed Of Mr.. StOrer; but the episode is
not likely to blow over readily.
Such activities as the Ambassador. and
Mrs. Storer engaged in-with the best OF
motives. no doubt-must naturally have
been fTOwned upon by the church au-
thorities, as we'll as President Roosevelt
Mr.. Storer's retirement from the diplo-
matte field came none too soon. though
It seemed at the time that he was dealt
with more harshly and summarily than
his offending actually justified, in view OF
all the circumstances. The manner of his
dismissal, however, is the best proof pos
sible that the President, courageous at all
times. had no fear of anything that might
follow.