Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1914-01-23

1t may be crystallized in the state
ment that these South American coun-
tries are pleased with Colonel Roose-
velt and Colonel Roosevelt is pleased
with them.
While he has been preaching ideal
ism and while the main theme of his
addresses has been on ideals of de-
mocracy, South America nevertheless
insists on looking on Colonel Roose-
velt as a man of action and as prac-
tical politician rather than as an
idealist.
The predominant and overwhelming
interest is in his personality. His
character and his public career have
been analyzed, has been described
as an author, traveller, journalist,
explorer. soldier. sportsman, publicist
and idealist, but the analysis always
ends with tribute to him as the man
of action.
Aside from his personality, or rath-
er his individuality, Colonel Roosevelt
also has been received as the typical
representative of the United States.
or. as they put 1t here. the incarnation
Of North Americanism. Honors are
paid to him as the former president.
Some Of the governments have
made him formally their guests. He
has been given the same considera-
ton, substantially, that was shown
Mr.. Root when the latter was secre-
tary of state and made trip through
South America.
Whatever views may be entertained
of Colonel Roosevelt In regard to po-
litical issues at home, 1t must be said
that In South America he is speak
Ing for the people OF the United States
as whole and without suggestion
Of partisanship. The influence of the
United States and it's prestige in
South America have been waning
during the last six months, and Col
onel Roosevelt's exposition of Ameri-
can policies and motives is doing
something to restore the vanishing
prestige.
The incidents of the coloneps trav-
els have been varied and vivid Some
Of them have been strenuous enough
to suit even his temperament There
also have beea some delicate ques.
tions to be answered and some inter-
national complications to be avoided.
There was in the first place the mis-
understanding over the coloneps
speech when he first touched South
American soil at Bahia. Brazil Natur-
ally he had good things to say about
Brazil cooperating with the United
States. They misunderstood that In
Argentina and interpreted it as put
ting Brazil ahead of Argentina The
protest that went UP gave the colonel
pointed hint of the feeling between
the two countries as to their relative
Importance.
Mr.. Root had similar experience.
These misunderstanding occur on
account Of geography. Brazil being
the first country where distinguished
Americans who come down the east
coast land, it therefore gets their
first impressions, which are always
favorable. and which possibly ars
given exaggerated attention by the
Brazilian newspapers. This is no
liked by Argentina.
The only solution for this difficulty
In the future will be for distinguished
Americans to begin their South Amer
lean Journeys at Panama and come
down the west coast That Is wha
Mr. Bryan did, and when he reached
Buenos Aires he had had nothing tt
explain.
The Brazilian incident in itself wa
not OF grave consequence, but il Col
onel Roosevelt had not learne,
through his long experience as a poll
tidan that comparisons between coun
tries as between individuals, ar
odious, it would have impressed thi
fact on him He announced, however
a firm purpose not to make compari
sons and is adhering to it.
Relative to the different countries
Colonel Roosevelt's Impressions a
given publicity may be summed up II
this way: Uruguay is fine country
Brazil is fine country. Chile is |