The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-06-18

1t is safe to say that in the last three
months Roosevelt has made more
news than any private individual
ever before did in like time.
The Incident at Rome.
Probably the most startling feature
of Roosevelt's entire trip was what is
now referred to as the Vatican Incl
dent" On last April the world was
astonished by the news that the colonel
had Cancelled his engagement to pay
his respects to the pope by reason of
what he considered the undue restric-
tions that Mgr. Kennedy, acting as the
pope's representative, sought to place
upon his movements while in Rome.
Mgr. Kennedy cautioned the colonel
against making himself persona non
grata by addressing or in other ways
openly encouraging the work of the
Methodist church in Rome. This pre-
caution was taken as a result OF the
unpleasantness growing out of the can
collation. of ex-Vice President Fair
banks engagement to visit the Vatican
because of his address to the Meth
odists. When Mgr. Kennedy submit
ted his terms Roosevelt Immediately
telegraphed his dechnation and con-
celed the engagement
There was a tremendous hubbub ana
valiant effort was made by third par
ties to patch up the breach, but Roose-
welt stood firm. BY striking show or
diplomacy, however, he emerged from
the embarrassment With ecomlums
from, Catholics and PrOteStants alike.
throughout it all Roosevelt made Il
plain that he meant no offense either
to the pope or to Catholics generally.
The whole affair was finally charged
to a lack of tact on the part OF tne
papal secretary OF stdte' C1A uAA0'
Merry del Val.
The African hunt was under the aus
rices of the Smithsonian institution,
though at the colonel's initiative. The
cost of it, excepting the personal e&-
penses of the colonel and his son. was
met by contributions, said to be S25,OOo'
made nv group of friends. The names
of these friends have never been pup
Esbed. The cost Of mounting the specI-
mems secured by the expedltlon VIII;
it is estimated, be $35,OOO- me coIolle 5
paid his and Kermit's expenses thougn
this outlay will be reimbursed to h1m
MANY times over by the proceeds from
his magazine articles and his fothcom-
ing book on his hunt. For his articles
row running in Scribners, Roosevelt
is said to receive 81 a word.
The colonePs feat in spending eleven
rnonths in the jungles of Africa with
out suffering SO much as DAY III
ness and the practical immunity or MS
sen, Kermit, was a great gre surp of dire re-
predictions were made that fever would
law him low, the sleeping sickness seize
him, the tse-tse fly poison him or the
beasts of the jungles MAIN him, but
with characteristic Roosevelt LUCK he
escaped them all and came out of At
RIGA looking like a fighter trained for
the ring It remained for the effete
civilization of European capitals to ov-
ortax his strength and endurance.
Charged by Elephant.
Once while on the hunt he was
charged by a maddened elephant and
took refuge behind a tree while Guide
r. ]. Cunninghame brought down the
animal. At another time his boat was
attacked by a school of hippos near
the camp at Saigosi The hippos
threatened to overturn the boat, and
the native rowers were scared stiff"
Roosevelt picked off two of the hippos
in true 'Deadwood Dick style and