New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-05-12
Americanism Is Issue, he
Tells League-Says Square
Words with Deeds.
DEFINES STAND
ON NOMINATION
Slumbering Patriotism Must Be
Awakened, Roosevelt Writes
to Guy Emerson.
From STAT Correspondent, Of m. rr,bun.

FROM star Correspondent OF The Ir1ounel
OYSTER Bay, May 11.-Theodors
Roosevelt threw his hat into tho ring
tonight, not as the candidate Of any
party or faction, but as the standard
bearer Of those Americans who are for
America first, last and all the time.
From now on the fight will be to
finish. The issue has been clearly
drawn. Mr.. Roosevelt is for real Amer
icanism and all that it means. He is
against the coward, the straddler and
the hyphenate, and that is going to be
his fight until the convention meets at
Chicago and dominates candidate for
President
Colonel Roosevelt's announcement Is
contained in letter to Guy Emerson,
secretary of the Roosevelt Non-Parti-
san League. The purpose Of the letter
is TO make clear Mr.. Roosevelt's stti-
tude toward the nomination for Presi-
dent. which he does by earnestly APP
proving the work Of the league TO bring
about his nomination as the strongest
available man under the issues OF
Americanism and preparedness.
Approves Leagues Work.
"Your league emphasizes its devotion
to these principles and supports me
only as representing these principles
Mr.. Roosevelt wrote, "and because this
Is your attitude, and because you are
working in this spirit, very earnestly
approve your work. The safety Of this
country depends upon our immediate.
serious and vigorous effort TO square
our words with our deeds and to Sc
cure our own national rehabilitation.
The slumbering patriotism of our peo-
pie must be walked, and translated into
concrete and efficient action. The
awakening must be to sense OF ma
tional and international duty and re-
sponsibility."
The present troubles with Mexico and
Germany, Mr.. Roosevelt asserted, are
the direct result Of the failure OF this
country TO prepare and Of government
policy Of almost unbelievable timidIty
and vacillation."
Mr.. Roosevelt's letter was in answer
TO a letter from Mr.. Emerson, explain
ing the work Of the Roosevelt Nom
Partisan League and pointing out that
it's members were men Of both parties
who had not abandoned their regular
party affiliations, but who believed
that in the present crisis the only is
sues were above the range Of partisan
politics.
Roosevelt's Letter.
Mr. Roosevelt's letter to Mr.. Emer-
son is as follows:
Dear Mr.. Emerson:
81 have your letter asking a state
ment from me as TO the work of the
Roosevelt Non-partisan League. As
you know, ] have refused to indorse
the use Of my name in the primaries,
or in any way TO enter into any fac
tional contest which has for its object
my nomination in Chicago in June.
You also know that have emphatically
stated that il would be unwise to nomi-
nate me unless with the full under
standing that such nomination means
the hearty Endorsement of the princi-
pies for which | stand-the principles
set forth in the Chicago speech to
which you refer.
81 do not have to improvise my con-
victions on either Americanism or pre-
psredness. | have fought for them all
my life long, and when | was President
/ translated my convictions concern
ing them into governmental policy. The
events Of the past two years in Europe
and of the last four or five years in
Mexico have brought into vivid relief
the vital need of preparedness; and
the sinister revival OF the politico
racial hyphen in our politics has en-
phasized the need Of stern insistence
on thorough going Americanism with
in our own borders.
"Twenty-one years ago, when | was
Police Commissioner of New York, |
said There must be feeling OF broad
radical and intense Americsnism IL
good work is TO be done in any direc
ton.
"Our citizens must act as Americans;