New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-11-17
Roosevelt Blames
u. S. for Present
Allied Crisis
Says Russia Might Have
Taken Heart Had America
Entered War Earlier

PRINCETON, Nov. 1s.-Colonel Theo-
dore Roosevelt, in his address on Ma
tional Strength and international
Duty" here tonight, censured the
United States government for its tardi-
ness in entering the world conflict and
berated II for the inadequate manner
in which it has been conducting oifen-
sive measures since war was declared.
He demanded an immediate declara-
ton of war against Austria and Tur-
key. If this country insisted upon con-
tinuing its slogan of ITO make the
world safe for democracy"-a war aim
which, he said, was entirely unneces-
sary as far as the honor OF the United
States was concerned.
The Colonel delivered his address m
the Stafford Little lecture foundation,
a fund designed to bring to Princeton
each year man prominent in woric
affairs to address the undergraduates.
After his introduction by President
John Grier Hbben Colonel Roosevelt
at once launched into his attack, blam
ing upon the government the present
unfortunate condition OF allied affairs
in Europe.
"By beginning TO act with energy on
February 1, the day after the German
note arrived" he said, 1--WE could have
had hundreds of thousands Of efficient
fighting men al the front in August.
In such an event 1t might well have
been that Russia would have taken
heart and would nov be organized for
orderly, self-respecting liberty and
victory. And Italy Especially II we
had done our clear duty by declaring
war on Austria) would not have met
with disaster"
People Should Understand
Concerning the governments inter
nretation Of the United States part IN
the war as a Crusade for democracy"
the Colonel said:
81 was and am eagerly readv TO
enter into such crusade II our peo-
ple seriously intend to put 1t
through. But our people ought thor
oughly to understand what it means
I've were not bound to enter upon
it. Our grievance was against Ger
many, and we could with honor have
Joined our allies to war against her
until she was overthrown and then
make peace in such fashion as to
guarantee justice to them and to US,
and TO make the world little safer
for US all in consequence. But
nledge to make the world safe for
democracy is a solemn engagement to
smash the two nations which most
conspicuously make democracy unsafe
within their own borders-Austria and
Turkey. ANY peace which leaves Tur-
kew in Europe and which leaves the
Armenians, the Syrian Christians and
the Jews and Arabs under Turkish
rule conspicuously fails to make the
world safe for democracy or for liberty
and decency."
Takes Issue With Baker
Colonel Roosevelt then took issue
with Secretary Baker for his opti-
mistic statements as to the results
which the United States has achieved
after ten months Of war.
"As a matter Of fact" he said, 1--WE
have done less than Portugal, which,
within one year after going into war.
put by transport overseas 10000 trained
soldiers at the front. That is equal to
the United States putting l,500,00 men
en- the fighting line by February. To
do relatively as much as Canada and
Australia have done, we ought to put
5000 900 men under arms"
The speaker attributed the entry OF
America into the war to German mill
tarism and American pacifism working
together"
ain Russia" he said. con the NOR
row after the forces Of despotism were
overthrow, the forces Of anarchy and
disorder. under under the leadership
Of demagogues and sinister or imprac-
tica doctrinaires, became the worst
foes of liberty and democracy.
$50 It is here. The Hearsts and La
Follettes and Stones and Bergers and
Hillquits, the agitators of the !. w. W.
and the Germanized American socialists
are OF the same type as the men who
seek to tear free Russia to pieces.
Let US shun, as we would shun the
plague, both the white terror Of re-