The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1917-04-02
DECLARES THAT THIS COUNTRY
SHOULD STRIKE AND STRIKE
HARD AND THAT ALL MUST
RECOGNIZE THE U. S. TODAY
is ALREADY AT WAR WITH
GERMANY


joyed the privilege of seeing and
hearing Theodore Roosevelt. at a
monster open-air meeting held in the
City Park last night. Mr.. Roosevelt
arrived from Punta Gorda at 1895
last night, enjoyed drive over the
lefty and its environs, and at 900
o'clock after the various churches
! had dismissed their congregations he
addressed very large audience from
the band-stand
Mr. Roosevelt was accompanied by
Hen. Russell ]. Coles. of Danville.
! Va. a noted scientist. at whose sug-
sestion Mr.. Roosevelt visited Florida
/ for the purpose of catching devil
/ fish. Mr. George B. Wells. Travelling
| Passenger Agent of the A C. L..
v hose headquarters are at Buffalo.
n. Y, also accompanied Mr.. Roose-
welt. looking after his comfort on the
railroad journey. MIR. Wells was
helpful in arranging for Mr. Roose-
velt's appearance here. the Chamber
Of Commerce, however, having been
active all week in its endeavors tn
have Mr., Roosevelt stop in Lakeland
ana speak to our people
An immense crowd met the train
on its arrival, but as it was desired
not tc interfere with any of the
church services, the announcement,
WIS made from the train that Mr..
/ Roosevelt would take an auto ride
after which he would speak in the
park at 900 o'clock Mr. C. NJ.
Clayton, representing the Chamber
OF Commerce, together with DR.. ]. n.
Wilson, escorted Mr.. Roosevelt and
party to Mr. Clayton's car which was
in waiting, and ride of about an
holr's duration was enjoyed. Mean
time the park was thronged. several
thousand persons having gathered to
hear the distinguished visitor.
Rev. Wallace Wear delivered the
Invocation, and the Mayor presented
the speaker, who was enthusiastical
" cheered. Throughout the address
he was given the closest attention
and there were frequent outbursts
Of applause when he made telling
Points. indicating that the audience
was very favorably disposed towards
him. even II It did not wholly sob
J scribe to his sentiments.
The speaker made some very pleas
ant Introductory remarks relative 70
the beauty. fertility and attractive
ness Of Florida, and the great prom.
Use of it's future He expressed ap-
probation OF his reception and tn,
many courteses that had been ex-
, tended him while in the State. lie
referred to his success in capturing
two devil-fish, but declared that this
success was the result of prepared
ness; that IL il had not been for the
careful and painstaking preparation
under the direction of Mr.. Coles. he
could not have come down here il
so short a time and caught these
devil-fish that IL he had made the
mistake of coming unprepared he
he did days, and that. instead of his
success, the devil-ish might have
gotten him. He declared that it is
just as big a mistake to suppose that
a nation could go TO war without
, preparation. or that II could prepar
: overnight for war.
referring to the hyphenate OF
prc-German sentiment in this coun-
try, he said that at this time there
/ can be but one test of citizenship
Americanism; that there can be no
divided allegiance between this
country and some other country.
: tat a man can no more give allegi-
ance to two countries than to two
wives. He emphasized the fact that
If mattered not as to a mans creed,
for he favored absolute freedom of
conscience. but there can be but one
kind of zenship-American citi-
zenship.