Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-04-06
WILSON MESSAGE
GREAT DOCUMENT,
SAYS ROOSEVELT
Former President Calls at the
White House to Congratu-
late Chief Executive, bat
Wilson Is at Cabinet Meeting
By ROBERT ]. BENDER.

ing President wilson's war message one
OF the greatest documents in American
history and offering to lead a fighting
army division to Europe, Colonel Theo-
dore Roosevelt called at the White
House this afternoon, but missed the
president
The visit was made between trains"
with typical Rooseveltian spontaneity
and without the previous knowledge of
the president, who had just gone to
the executive offices to attend a cabinet
meeting.
The colonel swung up to the barred
gates of the White House grounds in
a big automobile, accompanied by his
daughter. Mrs. Nicholas Longworth.
In spite OF orders to the guards at
the gates that no one should be per-
mitted 10 enter. the former presidents
teeth, smile and familiar countenance
caused the surprised guard to open the
gates AT once and the coloners machine
shot up TO the big White House portico
with flourish
The negro uoorkeeper, startled at see
ing Roosevelt appear so suddenly step
ped out to the automobile, just too late
TO assist the virile colonel and his
out of the car
ASKS FOR PRESIDENT.
The two walked to the double glass
front door, where they were met by 1.
~. Hoover, head usher, who held the
same position when Roosevelt himself
was in the executive mansion. There
were greetings and then the colonel ask
ed If the president was In.
Upon being told the president had just
left for the cabinet meeting in the execu-
tive office, the colonel expressed his
l..
should learn OF his visit and know that
he called to convey his hearty congrat-
ulations for that remarkable state pa
per-"
The colonel then left his card as did
Mrs. Longworth.
Roosevelt was asked if he could not
return later but as he turned and brisk
ly walked back to his machine he said
he was en- route to New York and just
stopped off between trains. {,
Roosevelts entire conversation was
carried on Immediately in front of the
door on the veranda- He did not cross
the threshold.
Russell J. Coles, of Danville, Va.
with whom Roosevelt has been DEVIL
fish hunting, accompanied the colonel
and Mrs. Longworth 10 the White
House.
The Roosevelt car instead of taking
a direct route TO the station. went out
Sixteenth street toward Mrs. Long
worth's home.
PRAISES WILSON'S MESSAGE.
Before entering the White House
Roosevelt said, informally:
The presidents message to congress
will rank among the foremost state pa
pers of which Americans are proud. The
point to be emphasized is that we strike
as hard. as soon and as effectively as
possible. and wage aggressive warfare
against the German government. OF
course we should send troops to the
firing line as rapidly as POSSIBLE. De-
fensive war is hopeless. We should
carry on a vigorous offensive in order
to have our rights indicated and have
our voice count for civilization and JUS
tice. OF Counsel hope very earnestly
that may be allowed to raise a division
for immediate service at the front.
Il will guarantee that no finer body
OF fighting men than my division would
be in the war. i hope that l may raise
the division at the earliest practicable
moment. But, OF course, il would be
understood that my division would be
allowed to go to the fighting line as
soon as possible"
The colonel later called at the Office
of his close friend, Senator Lodge, of
Massachusetts, presumably 10 congrat-
ulate Lodge of the outcome of his bat
tie yesterday with a pacifist.
From Lodges Office Roosevelt re-
turned to the station and. boarded his
train for New York.
Colonel Roosevelts action today in
temporarily forgetting political enmities
in patriotic support of President Wilson
for the course chosen by this govern
ment toward Germany, was only one ex-
ample out Of hundreds today.
Scores of kilograms from men well
known in political life throughout the
country who have vigorously opposed
the president in politics and the admin
istration of his office reached the White
House today strong in their assurances
Of support in this crisis.
Roosevelt looked fit for a campaign
tomorrow. He is brown as a berry, some.
but very little. of his rotundity is gone,
and he appeared hard as nails. Besieged
by newspaper men for a formal state
ment Roosevelt said he had too many
kilograms to answer. As he wrote, how
ever. he said. ION my left is Mr. Grant
Joe Grant. champion middleweight wres-
tier of the world. and the best police
man in Washington. He and I used TO
wrestle at the White House. He is so
good a wrestler that he could not only
take good care of himself. but of me,
too. However. neither of us ever got
hurt"