New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-05-17
Roosevelt Is Coming!
What the Words Would Mean to
France and to America
tor of The Tribune.

auioscent. France is bleeding TO death.
l. is our entrance cue.
We had fancied that our role was TO ne
that Of the commissary general Let the
slogan be Boats and Bresd!'" Washington
had announced That was at the time OF
making the great decision. That was before
the historic coming of these foreign commits
sions We had wondered why they came.
Now we know. 1--WE need mem" cries Jofre.
"Send us troops. France is almost spent
Then why. in the hame of patriotism and
the common cause, this curious reluctance on
the part Of our government to accept the
100000 hard-htting Americans who have vol
unteered to go to France with former Presi-
dent Of the United States?
Three Sample Pretexts
The pretexts are easily disposed of by the
facts in the case. The real reason is matter
of opinion.
PRETEXT No. |. We have no means Of
Transporting and munitioning these men
Apsrer: Quite true; but equally true OF
all the other recruits VIC are nevertheless
strenuously enlisting from Maine to Call
fornia, pending the solving of the great
problem of transportation and munitions.
PRETExT No. ?. Colonel Roosevelt
prefches conscription. Why does he prac-
tise volunteering? Answer: For the same
reason that the government is doing so.
pPETEXT No. 9. Colonel Roosevelt is not
fitted by knowledge or experience to com
mand, especially under the conditions OF
modern warfare. AnsWer: Either he IS mt
or he is not fit. II fit, put him in command.
If not fit, put him in a subordinate posi-
ton, as he himself has suggested-call his
bluff. if it be so regarded.
These are fair samples of the pretexts.
What is the real reason?
The other day Colonel Roosevelt in group
Of friends was discussing this opposition to
his being allowed to go to France and fight,
when one of them said: Colonel, do you
really want so much to so over there and
risk your life"
Even if were sure of being killed. he
replied with characteristic emphasis. Il would
gladly go If they would only let me-
Whereat another member of the group, one
of his former Cabinet officers and one of our
foremost statesmen, remarked with contrast
irg calmness: ooh, well, they would gladly
let you go if they could only feel sure Of your
being killed"
For the Patriotic Present
Noy', it is quite easy to hold either OF the
following opinions. mere matter of personal
prediicction:
60 That Mr.. Roosevelts real motive is to
return home hero and peradventure Presi-
Dental candidate.
% That the real motive for the opposition
is due to panicky political fear, based upon
historical analogy, that he might succeed.
As it is difficult to usurp the functions Of
an omriscient Deity and thus prove the falsity
of either of these opinions, for the sake of
argument let us assume the truth of both of
them.
The question then arises, Which on the
whole is better, not for the political future,
but for the patriotic present; which is better
for our country and for the crisis now con-
fronting our allies?
- Shall we make use of this former Pres
ident and the quarter million men who will
follow him, even though he run the risk Of
being either killed or else reincarnated as
popular hero?
~ Shall we waste him and them in order
that certain other Americans who in any case
will stay at home may feel more secure in
their own political plans for the future?
In such a crisis as now confronts our nation
and our allies. and, as we believe, the cause
Of democracy. the nation has a use for all
of Us. We have that on the highest authority.
1t is difficult to sec why an exception should
be made in the case Of former President
els, pf,- 4. Hor,o Dofo I 10
Political Safety First does not want him to be
used.
Whether or not the country owes him any
thing for this or any past services is not the
question. This is no time for personal re-
wards. 1t is no time for partisan punish
ments either. Most of US are more interested
in what the country owes itself and its allies.
Think Of what it would mean to tagging
France to hear that Roosevelt is coming!"
Simply because we do not take our former
President very seriously over here, do not
make the mistake of assuming that they
would not be aroused and inspired by his
going TO them over there, where Theodore
Roosevelt is still regarded the symbol Of
American energy. the embodiment of all that
is bravest and best in American Ideals. His
very name would work magic like the name
of Kitchener. This is not matter of Ameri-
can partisan opinion. 1t is matter of un-
prejudiced foreign opinion. Ask any for
egncr-a ask any recent arrival from abroad
Indeed, if it were not breach of interna-
tional manners, the Marshal of France him
self would voice the desire which, as is only
too dear from certain things he has been CON
strained to say. is in the minds Of both the
distinguished commissions now our guests.
Enthusiasm Discouraged
But it is not merely against this unpatriotc
waste of potential usefulness that ! would
protest ! would protest against the disas-
trous bungle of discouraging the people
throughout the country at large by such an
example at such time. The nation is con-
fronted by a stupendous task, to which they
are saoredly committed. There is no turning
back now. enlist! Your country needs you"
Posters and placards stud the landscape Re-
oruiting Offices are sprinkled along our thor
oughfsres. And now a whole army of volun-
teers. gathered from all over the country in
obedience to that patriotic impulse, is greeted