Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1914-07-03
ROOSEVELT DEF|ES
WILSON ON TREATY
Challenges President and Bryan
to Answer Colombian Black
mail Charge.

OYSTER BAY, N. Y, July S.-In a,
dictated statement last night Colonel
Roosevelt briefly but pointedly an
swered the attack upon him by James
7. Dubois, former United States min
lister to Colombia, for the part the
colonel, as President, played in ac-
quiring the property rights from Co
lombia for the Panama Canal.
Mr.. Roosevelt read through a news
paper report of Mr.. Dubois's structures
Upon him, smiling as he caught the
phrase, IF Theodore Roosevelt had
realized the true situation in Bogota
at that time he would have reinforced
his patience with sympathy for that
helpless people"
"Ughi'' grunted the colonel. Then,
turning to his political secretary. he
dictated this statement:
II have nothing to say about MT.
Dubois. He was merely an instru-
ment.
"Mr. Wilson is responsible for the
payment of the blackmail to Colom-
bia. Whether he did 1t on his own
initiative or at the instigation of
Mr. Bryan is wholly unimportant,
and 1t is of infinitely less Importance
what particular subordinate was
chosen to carry through the discred-
table transaction or to apologize for
it in the public press.
Neither Mr. Wilson nor Mr.. Bryan
can answer my statement. The pay
ment, If made, will be naked pay
ment of a befated blackmail, and the
mere proposal to make 1t Is an out
rage on the honor and blow to the
- 49, - ~ Asrao Il
There is small wonder that hundreds
of Americans in Mexico have been
endeavoring to become British. Ger
man or French subjects in order to
get some protection from some gov
eminent
IAN administration that will con-
clude such treaty as this treaty for
the payment of blackmail to Colombia
has forfeited all right to the respect
of the people of the United States"
Mayor John Purroy Mitchell, Of New
York, spent several hours with
Colonel Roosevelt at Sycamore Hill
last night. Both Colonel Roosevelt
and the mayor said that the visit was
of no political Significance, although
it was learned that politics was dis
cussed extensively.
Colonel Roosevelt merely said that
Mayor Mitchel's visit was OF a Social
nature and possessed no Importance
from the standpoint of practical poll
tics. The mayor talked more freely.
but said nothing to confirm report
to the effect that he had made the
visit as a result of Colonel Roose-
velt's wishes to determine what
measure of support. if any, the Pro
gressive party could count on from
Independent Democrats in cast the
State ticket should be named by the
Democratic organization.
Mayor Mitchell was piloted to Saga
more Hill by Judge William L. RAN
som, of the New York City Court.
Judge Ransom is a Progressive. but
here again it was explained that this
fact had no political significance.
Mayor and Mrs. Mitchell and Judge
and Mrs. Ransom motored down from
New York, reaching Sycamore Hill at
7 o'clock. They took dinner with the
ex-President and Mrs. Roosevelt. and
remained there until after 10 o'clock
Mayor Mitchell said that good dea
of the time was occupied by Colonel
Roosevelt's recital of experiences In
the South American jungle.