Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1910-03-16
GIVES DINNER
TO REPORTERS
Roosevelt Incidentally Pumps
Them Good and Plenty
PROVES A GOOD INTERVIEWER

sidesteps Attempts to Get His Views
on American and European Politics
and Says There VIII Be Nothing
Doing Along That Line-came Near
Cabling Congratulations to Cook on
Discovery of Pole
Khartoum, the Soudan, March IA.
Former President Roosevelt feels
better now. for he knows what has
happened in the twelve months that
he has been in the wilderness.
The group of correspondents who
came thousands of miles to get his
views on Africa and world politics
found> out what same of them long
have known; that when he does not
want to talk for publication Colonel
Roosevelt can be as tight as money in
a Wall street panic. In addition he
has shown again that he is just about
the best interviewer in the world him
self.
He gave the correspondents din
ner aboard the steamer Dial and it was
late when he let go the pump which
he applied to the correspondents
singly and together If there is any
question which he did not ask, the
boys said later, they could not re-
call it.
The political situation in New York,
Ohio, in Washington, the "malefac-
tors of great wealth." the antitrust
suits, the Cook Peary Polar contro-
versy, all had their moment in his
lightning inquisition.
With that old time Roosevelt can
| dor. the colonel blurted out that he
had narrow escape from sending a
cable of congratulation to DR.. Cook
when he first learned that Cook had
reached the Pole.
Narrow escape, wasn't it," he
laughed. I'm mighty glad my old
friend Pe9ry got there. 1t is one of
the greatest exploits in the history OF
| human exploration. And isn't it fine
to think of Old Glory flying away up
on top Of the earth? I'm mighty
glad an American did it. It's bully,
that's what it is.
Throughout the long dinner, with
every trained correspondent using
every particle of his science to lure
Roosevelt into some statement on
world affairs, especially the Ameri-
can political and industrial situation :,
the former president laughed and
questioned, and the net result for
publication was in need of just one
word for the cables.
Nothing" That, essentially, tells
what Roosevelt said. 81 have moth
ing to say and shall have nothing to
say on American or European politics
on any political question or on any
phase or incident connected with
politics, said Mr.. Roosevelt 81
shall give no interviews, and anything
purporting to be in the nature of an
| interview can be accepted as false.
This applies during my entire stay in
| Europe"
Roosevelt was frankly delighted tc
hear Of the big things doing in prep
aration to welcome him home
Il thought they went the limit when
l came away" he said with lots OF
enthusiasm, but it is good to hear
you boys say I'm still in good stand
ing. I'm mighty glad to be on the
| way home, l assure you"
Mr.. Roosevelt is hard at work com
plotting the story of his African hunt
and will also spend much of the time
between now and his arrival at Naples
in the preparation of the lectures thai
he is to give in Paris, Berlin anC
London.
Four days will be spent in Khar.
| toum, the party leaving Thursday
| The entertainment, while unofficial il
character, will, nevertheless, be on
lavish scale.
Leaving Khartoum, stops will bt
made at Assuan and Luxor, where The
old palaces will be visited.
There was not room aboard the Da
for the correspondents and they made
the return trip from Rabak to Khar,
! toum on the Abbas.
Rough Riders to Greet Roosevelt
Oklahoma City, March 13.-CharIe!
E. Hunter, commander of the Rough
Riders, has issued a call for ever.
member of the regiment to meet il
New York city on June 16 to join il
welcoming former President Roose
Welt on his arrival from Africa. Thu
Rough Rider veterans number abou
RnA