The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1914-01-29

1t may be crystallized in the state
ment that these South American coun-
tries are pleased with Colonel Roose-
welt 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-
welt as 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 analysed, has been described
as an author. traveller, journalist,
explorer, soldier. sportsman, publicist
and idealist, but the analysis always
ends with a 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 it here. the incarnation
of North Americanism. Honors arc
paid to him as the former president
Some of the governments have
made him formally their guests. He
has been given the same copsidera-
ton. substantially, that was shown
Mr. Root when the latter was secre-
tary of state and made a trip through
South America.
Whatever views may be entertained
of Colonel Roosevelt in regard to po-
litical issues at home, it must be said
that in South America he is speak
ing for the people of the United States
as a whole and without a suggestion
of craftsmanship. The influence of the
United States and its 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 col0nel's tray
els have been varied and vivid. Some
of them have been strenuous enough
to suit even his temperament. There
also have been some delicate quas-
tons to be answered and some inter
national complications to be avoided.
There was in the first place the mis-.
understanding over the colonels
speech when he first touched South
American soil at Bahia, Brazil. Natur-
ally he had good things to say. 3about
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
a pointed hint of the feeling between
the two countries as to their relative
Importance. ~
sfr Root had a 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 are
given exaggerated attention by the
Brazilian newspapers. This is not
liked by Argentina.
Inc only SOLUTION IOT JulS QIulCuIty
in the future will be for distinguished
Americans to begin their South Amer
ican journeys at Panama and come
WI the west coast. That is what
Mr. gBryan did, and when he reached
BueAos Aires he had bad nothing to
explain. =
The Brazilian incident in itself was
not of grave consequence. but if Col
0nel Roosevelt had not learned
through his long experience as poll
tician that comparisons between coun-
tries as between individuals, are
odiops. it would have impressed this
fact Jon him He annqunced, however,
a firm purpose not. to@gnake comps ytsi;
sons, and is adhering 60 It,
Relative t6 the. differe9t s.cdupt rie:ss, i
Colonel R6osGvelt's fmpFdssiohs as
given publicity may be summed up in
this~Nay. Uruguay il. fine country
Bra4p lis fine coun41y@ yhf1e *is7a'