The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1917-01-23
EMPTY WORDS
T. R. COMMENTS
Styles Address "Attempt to
Conceal Pitiful IgnOminy
and Shirking.''

OYSTER BAY. L. l.. Jan. 22-Referrlng
TO President Wilson's speech, Col Roose-
welt said:
"As far as am concerned" said the
Colonel. after reading the Presidents ad-
dress carefully, those interested in my
views on these matters will find them
In my address to the Nobel peace prize
committee In Norway at the end of April,
1910. and also IL they will turn to the
detailed outline of world league to en-
force peace Of righteousness in 'Ameri.
ca and the World War; the book
| published more than two years ago, as
| well rs to my recent articles.
'IdIe and Empty Words"
1T is we'll to remember. however. that
unless the words of our Government In
this matter are 20 be accepted as the
| idlest and most empty of all idle and
empty words. We must remember two
| OF three plain bits OF homely fact
| TIE first is that II IS worthless to
make promises about the future unless
IN the present we keep those we have
| already made. Unless this Government
! Is prepared at this moment to take an
emphatic position as regards such a
! hldeous outrage as the deportation OF
the men and women of northern France
and Belgium. II Is both ridiculous and
! insincere for us to mouth about stand
! ing Tor righteousness in the nebuous
! future.
Moreover, unless this Government can
bring the peace of justice 10 Mexico It
hau petter not talk about securing the
peace OF justice throughout the world
! "Freedom OF the Seas"
As regards freedom OF the seas. the
. most important element in it Is freedom
from murder, and until this Government
has taken an effective stand to prevent
the murder Of Its citizens by submarines
on the high seas it makes itself an OBJ
1ect Of derison by speaking for the
| freedom of the seas. Interfering with
life Is worse than interfering with
property.
"As for the statement there can be NJ
real peace with victory. so far as
belgium Is concerned the statement
stands on par with a similar statement
had there been such after Bunker Hill
and Lexington, that there could he NC
real peace II victory came TO the forces
of Gen. Washington. II the men OF
| Bunker Hill were right then the Belgians
have been right. and to say that the
vietory OF the oppressed people strug.
Cling for freedom Is incompatible with
peace deserves no more consideration ir
one case than in the other.
Lincoln Would Have Frowned.
III President Wilson's statement had
been made by the Emperor Napoleon
III. or by Lord John Russell in 1864
doubt II II would have won any yer,
enthusiastic support from Abraham
Lincoln, although Il would have beer
applauded by the pacifists.
"As for the limiting Of armies we viii
do we'll to remember before we ask now.
erful nations to limit their armies that
so long as we keep ourselves nearly or
a level OF military strength with China
our words will not carry much weight
II this nation would adopt the princi.
pie of universal military training and
military service it would procure al
army which would offer no temptation
whatever for offence, but would be very
effective for defence
When Voice Was Power.
'Tf our foreign policy was conducted
as II was when our battle feet wa,
making its trip around the world II
1908, our voice would now he and woult
: have been potent for both peace anc
! TlgnteOuSneSS, l)uTlnS tne last rev
years our Government has shown itse
powerless TO protect the lives of tn
: American men, women and children OF
, the high seas and In Mexico, and power
/ less TO protect the honor of America
women in Mexico.
= "When we have learned to do our dut,
( In such an elementary matter. when W,
: have learned to keep the promises w
have made on behalf Of weak nations
/. when We have shown willingness to Civ
E proof of courage, foresight. strength an,
willingness to undertake services an,
make sacrifices for high causes in tn
= present. we shall command greater re
! spcct In the world than we do AZ thi
moment
: 1--WE shall not command such respec
I as long as our Government seeks to con
: ceal the pitiful ignominy and the pitifu
q shirking OF duty toward itself an
y toward others so evident In It's conduc
In recent years, by making grandioquen
: promises, which there is nothing in It
past record to indicate that 1t woul
seriously attempt TO keep"