The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1910-04-04

action. On tire other hand. /. IN my
turn must decline 70 make any stipula-
tons or submit TO any conditions which
In any way would limit my freedom of
conduct. / trust that on April he will
ind II convenient 10 receive me-
Impossible, Says Roosevelt
on March Is, Mr. Roosevelt.at Cairo.
received a CableErdm from Ambassador
Leishman, giving a message from Mgr.
Kennedy, which concluded by saying:
''The audience cannot take place ex-
cept on the understanding expressed
in the former message"
The following day Mr.. Roosevelt sent
another message TO the American am
bassadOr, saying:
The proposed presentation is, Of
course. an ir1possibility.'
This imposs.ibility was not given pub
licity Unil To-Day, by which time il vas
evidently quite established. Shortly be-
fore leaving Naples, Mr. Roosevelt
cabled 10 Dr. Abbott a statement for
publication, as follows:
Dear Mr.. Abbott. Through the Out
look, 1 wish to make a statement to
my feilow-Americans regarding what
has occurred in connection with the
Vatican j am sure the great majority
Of my fellOW-ciiZenS, Catholics quite
as much as Protestants, viii feel that
] acted in the only way possible for
an American 10 act and because of
this very fact, I most earnestly hope
that the incident will be treated in
sC1al, and, above all, as not warrant
ing the slightest exhibition Of TanCOr
or bitterness.
Many Catholic Friends.
Among my best and closest friends
are many Catholics. The respect and
regard of those Of my fellow-Ameri-
cans who are Catholics a. as dear TO
me as the respect and regard of those
who are Protestants. on my journey
through Africa, L visited many Catho-
Tic as well as many Protos slant mis-
SiOns, and I look forward 10 -eIIng the
people at home all that mas been done
by Protestants and Catholics alike, as
I saw it in the field of missionary en-
deavOr
1T would cause me a real pang to
have anything said or done that would
hurt or give PAN 10 my friends. what
ever their religious belief, but any
merely personal considerations are no
consequence lp this matter. The i'm
portaut consideration IS the avoidance
OF harsh and bitter comment such as
may excite mistrust and anger between
and amongst good men
The more an American sees of other
countries the more profound must be
mis- feelings of latitude that in his
own land there is not merely complete
liberation, bat the hearticst good VIII
and sympathy. between sincere and
honest men of different faithS-EODl
Will and sympathy so complete that III
the Inevitable daily relations of our
American life Catholics and Professionals
meet together and work together with
out the Thought Of a difference OF creed
being even present i'm their minds
THAT Is a condition so vital 10 our
national well-being that nothing should
be permitted 60 ieOpardiZc IT, Bitter
comment and criticism. acrimonious at
tack and defense are not only profit
less, but harmful. and 10 seize upon
such an incident as this as an occasion
for controversy would be wholly indie
feasible and should be froVned upon
by Catholics and prOtestanys alike /
very earnestly hoUe that what 7 say
Will appeal 20 all good Americans
Faithfully yours
THEODORE ROOSEVELT"