The Washington herald., 1910-11-19

Far from the maelstrom of poll
tics and free from hint of party
squabble, Col. Theodore Roosevelt
dropped in on Washington yester-
day in his proud role of faunal
naturalist, visited the Press Club,
spoke to the newspaper men, and
wound up a characteristic strenu-
Gus day by delivering a splendid
lecture on wild man and wild
beast in Africa" before the Ma
tional Geographic Society in Con
vention Hall last night
: Whatever high anticipations
were held of this event were easily
surpassed by the fact itself. 1t was
a distinguished address, we'll
worthy of its audience and of
Theodore Roosevelt. 1t was un-
marred BY any lapse from the sci
entihc point Of view; and yet il
vas more than merely scientific. 1t
was dramatic as well as informa-
tive; vital, gripping, full of what
the red blood school of noyelists
would call local color.
STAYS on SUBJECT.
II was Roosevelt in only one OF his rs-
pertoire OF moods-the mood Of the
hunter. the naturalist. the amateur Of
science and ethnology. Rarely has ths
former President held himself so closely
10 one groove and one single line OF
thought. The great audience OF 5000 per-
sons was on the aui vive for any charac-
teristie dash into other channels, but this
sally never came.
Only when the colonel described some
ridiculous bit of red tame in a Nairobi
court end added. piquantly. Il trust not
even the most sensitive soul viii object
to my describing that judge as fossil
lied" did even an echo Of politics creep
into his lecture
Col. Roosevelt took keen relish in being
before his old friends. and the effect Of
the old environment was evident in the
moderation and the precision OF phrase
which marked his lecture. He spoke en-
tlrely without notes. and was so OBJ
viously fun of his subject that phrase
matched thought entirely without effort
sie was speaking before the cream of in
tellectual official. and diplomatic Wash
ington. composing the most representa-
tive audience which has assembled here
in wears
President Taft Of course, was in Pan
ANA, and Mrs. Taft and Miss Helen are
in New York. They were the only ones
whose absence was remarked
Aims of Expedition.
The lecture was an account OF the sci
entific aims and achievements OF his ex-
petition brief and thrilling stories Of the
jungle hunts, an outline of African eth
nology. and a tribute TO the three agents
OF the Smithsonian Institution who were
with him-Maj. Mearns, J. Alden Loring
and Mr. Heller
There was real significance in the in
formal handshaking which came at ITS
conclusion The first whom Col Roose-
welt greeted was Commander Peary and
his wife-his first meeting since the lat
ter returned from the north pole Then
he darted in another direction and effu-
sively shook hands with Mr. Justices
Harlan. Day. McKenna. and White. OF
The Supreme Court. He chucked Secre-
tary of State Knox under the chin. was
TO the Japanese Ambassador,
Baron Uchida, and had a toyial little chat
with his old friend Ambassador Jus
serand. of France.
After being introduced by President
Henry Gannett. OF the National Geo
graphic Society. Col. Roosevelt launched
forth into the body of his lecture He
spoke. in part. as follows:
III is a real pleasure 10 address the
National Geographic Society this eveBtng
can assure you il required no pressure
70 get me 10 come. have always wished
a chance of speaking to this society, and
especially wanted 10 speak before Il
upon my return from the other side OF
ardship.
Il have always felt somewhat entitled
TO praise from the National Geographic
Society, although / have never done any
thing for geography But I have been
keenly interested in parallel lines OF