Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-04-06
ROOSEVELT'S HAT IN RING
ON AMERICA FIRST ISSUE
Strong Interview at Home Virtual
Bid for G.. o. P. Nomination

OYSTER BAY, April 6.-Colonel Roose-
welt in an interview at Sycamore Hill has
virtually declared his candidacy for the
Republican presidential nomination. The
words he employed are far more emphatic
than those of his Trinidad statement with
its demand upon the public for heroic
mood"
He goes further, setting forth the pre-
else and only terms upon which he will
accept the nomination. and notifying all
delegates to the Republican National
Convention just what his candidacy stands
for.
The Colonel made known his attitude
in n conversation with visitor from a
nearby State, who has been nominated for
Congress and expects to go to the Re-
publican National Convention as dele
gate. He told this man, among other
things, not to expect him to "pussy-foot"
on single issue he had raised II he were
nominated. He was not for war, he said I;
In fact, he abhorred war. but felt that
preparedness was the only guarantee of
peace.
Five men were present in the big trophy
room at Sycamore Hill who heard the con.
versation. which was, in fact, declara-
tion of the platform on which Colonel
Roosevelt stands and his mesgage to the
delegates who are to assemble at Chicago
to select their leader in the campaign. The
Colonel with his characteristic vehemence
nau Deen talklnB OF MEXICO anu OtHeT III
ternational problems when a visitor
broke in.
"You know, Colonel" he said. 'I may
make up my mind that we will have TO
nominate you"
Like a flash the Colonel turned TO him.
well, now. let me give you a piece of
advice" he said. pounding the arm OF his
chair; "if you have any doubt on the sub
ject, do not nominate me. Get II per-
fectly clear i'm your head that II you
nominate me II must not be because you
think II is In my interest, but because you
think II is in your interest and the inter-
est Of the Republican party and because
you think II is in the interest of the United
States to do So"
The Colonel hesItated a moment to col
lect his thoughts and then burst out
again. He put into his utterance all OF the
vehemence he would have used In cam
paign speech. apparently obllvious Of the
fact that he was talking to a little group
Of men in his home and not to throng
in some huge auditorium.
"And more than that, don't you do II
II you expect me to pussy-foot on any
single issue / have raised" he continued
Don't vote for me unless you are pre-
pared to say that every citizen OF this
country has got TO be pro-United States
anything else at all, and that we stand
for every good American everywhere
whatever his birthplace or creed. and
wherever he now lives, and that in re-
turn we demand that he be an Amer
ican and nothing else. with no hyphen
about him.
Every American citizen must be for
America first and for no other country
even second. and he hasn't any right 10
be In the United States at all II he has
any divided loyalty between this country
and any other"
II don't care rap for the mans creed
or birthplace or national origin 50 long
as he Is straight United States. / am
for him II he is straight United States.
and IL he isn't / am against him. And
don't you nominate me unless you are
prepared 10 take the position that Uncle
Sam Is to be strong enough to defend
his rights and to defend every one OF
his people. wherever those people are, and
he can't be strong enough unless he pre-
pares in advance.
Il am not for war on the contrary. /
abhor an unjust or a wanton war, and
would use every honorable expedient
70 avoid even a just war, But / feel
with all my heart that you don't. IN the
long run. avoid war by making other
people believe you are afraid to fight
for your own rights.
MUST NEVER WRONG WEAK.
Uncle Sam must never wrong the weak.
be must never insult any one or WantoBly