Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-05-16


"A land surface of the globe-Russla-
for democracy.
II the United States in 1898 had been
one-half so strong as it is today we could
have turned the French Revolution into
the paths of true libsrty and the present
war need never have been fought. Our
weakness lost for us that golden oppor.
tunity. Moreover, we were then merely
an American nation. not a world state.
France. dazed by sudden freedom. be.
trayed her originally noble ideals and
even a liberal nation like England was
compelled to league herself with Prussia
and other autocracios in order to over.
throw the archtype of military imperialst
Napoleon Bonaparte.
In every way our equipment for the
roe we have to enact in the great new
drama of liberty is mightier than were
our assets of a hundred odd years ago.
We have tried democracy. tested it in the
fire, proved its worth. Also, the stakes
for which we play are huge. Russia is
the worlds largest nation in territorial
extent. Save this enormous domain for
freedom and the future ascendancv of
tyranny on the globe is inconceivable.
No friendly commission ever sent from
one nation to another has been freighted
with responsibilities comparable with
those devolvng on our envoys bound for
Petrograd. Russia unshackled. after
tuous, uneasily groping after the flame of
freedom. Virtually every problem which
the Slavic peoples now face is new TO
them. Small wonder, then, that gem
erals and ministers resign that theorists,
on the one hand. launch fantastic propa-
gandas that self-seeking politicians. on
the other, seek to make personal capital
out of the unprecedented crisis
The real wonder is not that Russia is
unsettled, uncertain and wavering, but
that the situation is really as good as it
is. Almost without excesses a throne has
been overturned in the midst of the great
est conflict of history. Our commissioners
will have TO meet no sinister Fouquer.
Tnvile, no infatuated Robespierre. The
,,;Il
statesmen of honest convictions. Some
of these men may sincerely believe peace
with Germany to be the best policy.
On the other hand, we know, and our
President has declared. that neither per.
manent peace nor democracy is possible
while a Hohenzollern wears crown As
the unselfish champions of liberty we
must convince Russia of this vital truth
Able commissioners will seek to drive
these facts home. But there is one man
the force of whose magnetic personality
and the widespread extent of whose
repute could perhaps enable him to aid us
more tnan any OF tne leSateS ALREADY
appointed.
This man is Theodore Roosevelt At
home long "A stormcenter of criticism
abroad he is unquestionably regarded as
the standardized type Of American
driving energy and aggressive patriotism
It is not what we ourselves think of
the Colonel, but how Europe considers
him, that should count now That he well
of Slavic development was strikingly
attested some years ago in his admirable
introduction to jeremiah Curtins pro-
found work on the Mongol ascendancy
in Moscow. Moreover, Mr.. Roosevelt is
skillful politician. His Rough,Rider
heartiness would go far to win the Rus.
sian mujik, now almost childishly eager
for recognition.
The Colonel should go with the com.
missioners. Another Sap Juan Hill would
be petty victory compared with that of
him we still have a brilliant chance of
triumph. With him the road can be made
easier If only because of his signal ap.
peal as an American type to the mind of
Europe.