New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-07-07
Roosevelt Pleads for
Great Russian Effort;
Ridicules the Pacifsts

The day of greeting closed with
mass meeting and reception at Carne-
gle Hall, where for the moment the
spotlight was shifted from the visitors
when Colonel Roosevelt made his spir-
tied reply to the remarks of Samuel
Gompers. which the Colonel construed
as an apology" for the East ST. Louis
race riots.
Five thousand persons in the audi
forum applauded and thousands VINO
banked the streets on the outside took
mn the demonstration of acclaim while
MAYOR Mitchell welcomed the visitors
anG paid an eloquent tribute to free
Russia. Colorel Roosevelts appear
ance was the signal for another out
burst.
Samuel Gompers characterized the
opposition in certain labor circles TO
the reception of Allied populations IN
America as due to "open or secret pro-
German propaganda" The true spirit
of labor. he said, favors the prosecu-
ton Of the war for democracy.
therefore" he exclaimed, 81 extend
10 YOU the welcome Of the men of labor,
the women of toll, the children of as
piration!"
Roosevelt Praises Russia
Colonel Roosevelt paid glowing trib-
ute TO the ideals of new Russia and
pleaded for more determined efforts to
crush German militarism and win the
war. Before America should advise
others. the Colone said, she should
clean her own house. He urged the
immediate suppression of traitors and
pacifists, and ridiculed conscientious
directors" as towards nine times out
of ten.
"Any man who breaches hostility
against our allies is traitor to the
Union" he said. "He is equally a
traitor if he breaches this hostility
because he loves another country more
than he loves ours or because he
hates another country worse than ours.
"The time has come for every such
traitor instantly TO be seized and pun
ished according to his desserts. lie
has been wicked long enough. The
time has come to teach him that this
is an unhealthy place of residence. In
Germany, for a show Of onc-tenth the
lack of loyalty that has been demon
strated by some persons here, they
would hang the offenders higher than
Haymen.
Flags Conscientious Directors
THAT for the pro-Germans! Now
for the native American professional
pacifsts- the technical term of the
day. | believe, is conscientious OBJ
jectors.' If mans conscience really
forbids him to fight for his country,
let him take that conscience out and
look at it. We believe universal suf-
frage can be justified only on a basis
of universal service. If man says he
is too conscientious to fight, say we
should be too conscientious to let him
vote.
"Nine times out Of ten conscientious
obiector' is just another term for timid-
ity. Conscientious DIRECTORS object
merely TO shooting others. | am in
favor Of taking the conscientious OBJ
iector where he cannot harm others,
though he may be in danger himself. A
mine sweeper would be a good place,
for example. I'd man every mine
sweeper with conscientious DIRECTORS.
They can't hurt anybody and they are
likely 10 be blown up-while working
in the interests of humanity"
Crisis IN Russia Passed
Ambassador BakhmetefT declared the
crisis had passed in Russia and that
the free people were now on the way TO
a victory which would guarantee the
permanence Of their freedom. He con-
tinued:
"The fate OF the future will depend
on whether Russia will emerge from
this worlds struggle as n firm democ-
racy, solid and majestic in its demo-
cratic consciousness, supported by the
gGllantry Of its arms, or If the Eastern
country will succumb in its internal
task Of political reconstruction. In
this dilemma lies the source of the en-
thusiasm Of your greeting. But here
are as well the causes of grave thought
and melancholic sorrow of your smile.
"Do people realize the magnitude Of
events which have happened? Do they
in a proper way conceive the deepncss
and latitude Of the cataclysm which has
taken place in Russia Do they really
expect that the process Of transition
Of ly0.000,0OO human beings from
practically a state Of slavery 10 the
most democratic and unrestricted form
Of existence. a process comprising the
complete reorganization OF political
and social life. could not occur without
occasional disorder and outbursts of
civil strife?
The whole has TO settle. Things