Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-07-11
Editorial Comment
MIR. Root in Russia.
Springfield Republican,


1t is yet too soon to determine the
full value of the contribution which
this country has made to Russia and
| the allies in sending the Root COM
mission to that country. The extent
of the service future developments
must reveal, but by way of the New
York World comes word that is reas-
surfing as to Mr.. Roots immediate in
fluence and assistance. AS quoted in
a dispatch from Petrograd Premier
Lvoff says: Let me here express to
America our hearty satisfaction at
the visit of the Root mission. I'have
Rad the strongest possible support
from Mr.. Root personally. l am
amazed how, despite his newness to
Russia and the limited opportunities
to see our country, he Immediately
grasped the essential fact that our
troubles were transitory and under
stood the broader and more essential
problems which the Russians them
selves have not yet all been able to
understand"
Here is recognition Of Mr.. Roots
understanding of the problems of DEM
ocracy--which are essentially the
same the world overland of his sur
passing ability to analyze situations
and marshal his conclusions with ex-
ceptional clarity. Testimony Of a like
scrt comes from a Paris correspondent
Of the World, who thus quotes Albert
Thomas minister of munitions in the
French cabinet: Reports l have re-
ceived since my return from Russia
indicate that great good is being done
by the Root commission. Mr.. Root
himself having delivered speeches
straight from the shoulder-more
daring than 1 should venture-and
aroused tremendous enthusiasm and
renewed faith in the United States"
The debt which this country owes
to Mr.. Root thus promises to become
great. At "A years of age. after
having long held front rank as a
lawyer, served as secretary of war
under Mckinley and secretary of state
under Roosevelt, and then for six
years senator Of the United States, Mr..
Root had earned the right to a pc
Rod of repose. He had given to the
country in ample measure the benefit
Of his ripest powers. No one could
have criticized Mr.. Rost had he begged
| to be excused from the service to
which President Wilson called him. It
was both arduous and dangerous. and
oe doubtful outcome. On the score
OF outstanding his health there was
reason why he might have said that
younger man was needed. He could
rot be sure that beyond the scriptural
limit set for the retention of q mans
powers there would be strength left
equal to this extraordinary demand.
But Mr.. Root was prompt to respond
to the call. and no figure in our for
eign service has been looked to In
the United States with wider interest
than the head Of the mission to dis
tracted Russia.
There are always doubling Thom-
asses in such a matter. Men who pride
themselves on their intimate knowl-
edge of leading men and forces in Eu-
ropean politics were sure that Mr.. Root
would lack such understanding of
these things as his delicate response
hility called for. Admitting his great
ability, would he sufficiently compre-
bend the intricacies Of the situation
to make good? These questioner's
forgot, perhaps, the exceptional
adaptabiity of Mr. Root, and that the
world Of men and governments is in
the process Of being made over, so
that former things are passing away
and fundamentals are coming to the
front. Mr.. Root had no use for the
old personalities and the tortuous
methods of a recent past. A nation
ir upheaval, with long suppressed
forces on top, did not call for diploma
cy, but for able and straightforward
dealing. Our leading representative
to new Russia took the case as he
found 1t, and his trained intelligence
led him to deal with it in way to sur
prise these important men Of two ma
tions. All the testimony SO far goes
to show that we have sent the man
capable Of influencing Russia Of to-
day, and may full knowledge in the