Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-12-30
Roosevelt Explains Attitude.


the sbanquet was made public in detail
today in correspondence between Mr.
Roosevelt and Millard j. Bloomer, execu.
tive secretary of the committee. There
are several letters from the former Presi-
dent in the correspondence. the principal
one of which was written December j, and
is in line with Mr.. Roosevelt's editorial
in the current number Of the Outlook.
II cannot permit the use of my name
for that citizens peace banquet" the let
ter reads, simply because | do not know
what that banquet is for. If it is meant
to overawe the Senate and force that
body, against its conscience. to support
the unamended treaties which the Senate
committee on foreign relations has shown
by unanswerable argument to be hostile
to the honor and interest of the American
people. then l am not in sympathy with
you.
For instance, if you propose to support
the arbitration treaties. then / think that
you are not merely wrong, but that you
are engaged in what is essentially an un-
worthy and, however uncOnsciously, Il
hypocritical move against the interest of
peace and against the honor and interest
of the United States and civilization. IL
YOU intend to support these treaties, how =
ever, with the amendmen Is introduced by
all right because you are supporting what
is not very important but still sincere
effort to make things little better
Not Subjects for Arbitration.
Mr.. Roosevelt then reiterated what he
said yesterday in his editorial that "hy-
pocrisy never pays" and detailed his
views why the unamended treaties should
not be supported. Among the subjects
which Mr.. Roosevelt said he believed
should not be arbitral were the Monroe
doctrine, state bond question, the right
of America to abrogate the Russian
treaty of 1872. and the question of allow
ing unlimited Asiatic immigration to the
United States. Mr.. Roosevelt's letter
then continues:
Now II you do not believe that the
questions / have named should be arbi-
trated, then you occupy an improper and
from the national standpoint dishon-
orable position. If you desire to see these
treaties ratified without amendment OF
course. II you do believe In arbitrating
all questions of national honor and inter-
est including the Monroe doctrine. the
Jewish passport question. the immigra-
ton OF Asiatics. and the question of the
state bonds. then you are justified in
wishing to pass the unamended treaties.
although 1 think that in such case you
Will occupy very foolish and unpa-
triotic position. But If you do not be-
Eeve in arbitrating these and similar
matters, then you occupy a wholly inde-
IenSlDle poSltlon In asking that We pass
In unamended form treaties which nm
questionably pledge us as a nation to
arbitrate them"
Invitation Form Changed.
Mr.. Bloomer replied to this letter on
December 13. stating that the form of
invitation to the banquet had been
changed so as not to include the ratifica-
tion of the proposed treaties, adding that
the banquet. in his opinion. should be a
demonstration for a broad, honest peace
movement To this Col Roosevelt re-
piled, under date of December 16. in
part, as follows:
LAS you state and understand the move.
| ment. / am entirely in sympathy with II
That Is. am in favor of a broad, honest
peace movement. in line with the ira.
ditional policy of this country of good viii
| and fair treatment for all the nations OF
mankind"
In replying to another letter of Mr.
Bloomer. written In answer to the above
Col Roosevelt said:
Unfortunately, 1t Is not possible fo,
me to accept any invitation Of any kind
or sort; otherwise 1 would surely accept
this