The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1917-04-29
SUNDAY MORNING, APRIL %, 1917.
THEODORE ROOSEVELT,

Two and one half years ago, soon after the out
break Of the European war Theodore Roosevelt
began to cali the attention of the country to
lamentable state of national unpreparedness and
suggested the wisdom OF taking action before
we were confronted with crisis.
He then predicted that the United States would.
in the natural drift of international events proba-
bly, become involved in some phase Of the war be-
fore its termination, and pointed out the necessity
for the adoption of the Swiss system OF universal
military service.
His wide knowledge of international complica-
tions gave him clear vision of the coming storm
and he then warned his fellow countrymen Of the
impending danger
His warnings not only unheeded in admin
istration circles but brought down upon him the
vuperative wrath of the little politicians and
newspapers, including administration officials and
the usual trailing pack of Roosevelt haters
throughout the country
They said. Listen to him now What
scheme is he trying to float for self laudation?"
The newspapers--some of them-printcd witty cdi-
torials about Rooserelts latest alteration of mind
and his desire to be sensational
But Roosevelt went right with his work. In
magazine articles and in public speech he sounded
the warning to the nation. President Wilson and
Secretary Daniels and the Democratic newspapers
and politicians particularly indignant The
president and of the cabinet felt called
upon to take the stump and assure the people that
there nothing in Roosevets predictions OF
danger and that in the event of real danger our
army and navy were entirely competent to cope
with all adversaries.
When the Mexican trouble came We called out
the national guard, serenely confident of pre-
vious preparations for national defense through
the national guard organizations The result was
keen disappointment to pride and blow to
the critics of Roosevelt, who had been eocksure
that everything the colonel had said all wrong.
Away.down deep in their hearts they realize
that Roosevelt right but they stil seek to find
way to discredit the man who had the
rrescience and the moral courage to take a stand
that was then far from being popular.
While congress and the administration have been
arguing about the for defense
Roosevelt already busy with his volunteer
corps and rendered his services to the Washington
officials in any capacity where he might serve the
best preferring that OF taking his volunteer con-
tingcnt to the trenches in France
But official Washington seems afraid that Roose-
Welt might win fresh laurels in the field and
has taken every method to frown upon and dis
courage Roosevelts proffered help.
They profess to believe that it would not be
conventional" for former president to lead a d.
vision of American troops in France. 1t might
conflict with army rank and prove embarrassing
to the administration
But the fighting of the country want to go
with Roosevelt. Already $4,000 men have made
application to be enrolled in the Roosevelt legion
and there 100000 more who would gladly enlist
Under his banner, if Washington would only give
permission.
The truth is that Roosevelt could enlist more
volunteers in three days than the machinery of
government has enlisted in the past six weeks, if
they would only give him authority to do So
Theodore Roosevelt leading division OF Ameri-
volunteers into the trenches in France would
put more life and hope into the hearts of the brave
who have there batled against adversely for
the past 80 months than any other thing. The
moral effect Of the movement would clectrify this
nation and give leadership where leadership is
needed at critical juncture in our country's ex-
istence.
Natural leaders born, not made, and Theo
dore Roosevelt. If given the opportunity will not
disappoint the hopes of tho American people in this
their ny of need
The way in which the applications for war loan.
are In tn fha nit d