The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-12-02
Mr.. william Bayard Hale on Ex.Presi.
dent ROoseveIt's Outburst.

To THE EDITOR OF THE SUN--Sr: An
ex-Presdent of the United states publicly
| advocated in a New York newspaper on
| Sunday a course OF national conduct so
dangerous that 1t would be difficult for
one unacquainted with Mr. Roosevets
| idiosyncrasies to refrain from describing
| II as insanity.
| IL Is OF course not that, but only the
| outgivlngs of a disappointed man. who
| always. even while In the most responsible
Of offices. has been utterly irresponsible
| as to fact, law, consequence or deduction,
| and who Is smarting, as possibly no other
| living being could smart, under the des-
| tiny which has denied him, with his re-
markable theatrical talents, position on
the stage at the most dramatic moment
OF modern history.
Mr.. Roosevelt In grieved, as all his
countrymen are. at the "unlawful' acts
which have marked the war; he emu
| mera,es the German invasion or Belgium
| the japanese capture of Kiao-chow: the
sinking of the Kaiser Wilhelm der Crosse
by the British ship Highnyer In Spanish
waters the alleged sowing Of mines In
the open sea, and the like.
Mr. Roosevelt would have us take ac-
ton In all of these cases. II we had had
an Intelligent and resolute President and
Secretary OF State. they would have
taken action on July 20. 80 or 81. GER
tainly not later than August l." Such a
OF peaceably carrying on the Government
OF the United States, would have de-
voted all their energies to the terrible
problems of tho day" They would not
have observed a timld and spiritless neu-
trality" but would have ''lived up TO our
obligations by taking action" IL we had
had in the Presidential chair a man or
Intelligence and resolution like, let us say,
Theodore Roosevelt. We should have done
what we were solemnly bound to do.
The mutual recriminations hurled at one
another by England. Germany, France
and Belgium. so avows the ex-President,
mot only gave him president Wilson,
warrant for action. but required him to
act"
Thus rashiy and violently writes Mr.
Roosevelt. Ignorant OF the fact that the
Hague rules regarding neutrality. regard
ing mines. regarding everything which
troubles Mr. Roosevelt and saddens us all
have never been ratified by Great Britain.
nor by France nor by Belgium and that
by their own provision these articles are
binding only II ratified by all bellgerents;
ignorant likewise of the fact that the
United states, in -stifying certain OF the
Hague rules, added the express stipulation
that the action was not TO be taken as
involving this Government In any way In
any obligation TO enforce their observance
on other Powers; snatching up the vasuest
notions current among street corner idlers
'
and duties OF nations forgetful of the
grave results that would follow our in
tervention. Indifferent TO the welfare OF
the hundred millions OF our own kindred
neglected. OF the true duties OF neutrality
and above all. sublimey superior 10 the
difficulty OF ascertaning the truth and
judging righteous judgment amid the
whirlwlnd OF rumor, charge and counter
charEe---this man would have the United
States Government step into the ring as
the referee OF the fight. laying down the
rules and breaking heads all around TO
enforce them.
"Our true course" he cxclaims, should
be TO judge each nation on It's conduct,
unhesiiatingly antagonlzing every nation
that does III 80
Has any more amazing speech ever
been made ny anybody out OF Bedlam?
II was not Roosevelt who. In reply
to the plea Master, speak to my
brother rhat he divide the inheritance
with me answered Man. who made
Me a judge or a divder over you?" A
Jesus would not assume 10 decide be-
tween two men Roosevelt would
b!ithelv set himself up n be a Judge over
300 600 600
The only comment that sober men can
make on such wild words as these OF Mr..
Rooscvelts is this: that II they had been
published i've days earlier tho country
would have gone to its knees with Its dis
position 10 give thanks profoundly In
creased by a sense Of Its escape from the
inconceivable calamity OF having in the
White House at such an hour this incar-
nation OF rashness. violence and irrespon-
sih!lity in room OF the sagacious man who
to-day, at the head OF the nation. walks
OF peace. WILLIAM BAYARD HALE.
neCeFphar