The sun., 1918-12-28
ROOSEVELT'S EARLY |
WAR VIEW ExCISEDI
Quotation Favoring Neutral
ity Deleted From School
Books at His Request,
WAS ONLY TEMPORARY
Says lie Agreed With Wilson's
Plea for Only Sixty Days
at Most.

city have been notified by Superintend-
ent Ettinger to expunge from the text
books all reference to the fact that
Col. Theodore Roosevelt, for a short
period in the early days OF the war,
favored the maintenance of strict neu-
trall,y by the people of the United
States.
The part OF the school books that
caused the order, which was made at tho
personal request OF Col Roosevelt fol-
lows:
1.-The Germans invaded Belgium
August Z. 1914; that same day our
Official proclamation Of neutrality was
issued. Two weeks later President Will
son sent an appeal TO the American
people in which he said: Every man
who really loves America will act and
speak In the true spirit OF neutrality.
which Is the spirit of impartiallty and
fairness and friendliness TO all con-
cerned
The following month ex-President
Roosevelt wrote in q magazine article {:
1T is certainly desirable that we should
remain entirely neutral. and nothing but
urgent need would warrant breaking
our neutrality and taking sides one way
or the other The country as a whole
agreed with them"
It was stated that Col. Roosevelt had
written to the superintendent saying
that the views expressed by him In the
magazine article In question had been
entertained but 4 short time, not ex-
raaain0 nj ~ aud TIA IN =
graph did not represent his views or
judgment at any later period.
The directions sent to the principals
said:
"As ex-PreSdent Theodore Roosevelt
is OF the opinion that the quotation con-
tanned In the second paragraph Of page
80 OF the War syllabus for the high
schools does not correctly represent the
views which he had held. except for a
brief period OF sixty days after the be-
ginning OF the war, please delete forth
with from all copies In your possession
urs excerpt"
Il the inclusion OF the referepce TO his
Attitude was not made public by the
head OF the city schools
supported Wilson at First.
OF. hoOStNtlI last mgr bdlu
The school syllabus made but one
quotation from me and this from an
article wrote in the first sixty days OF
the war. notified the school superin-
tendent that II was sheer suppression
Of the truth to make such quotation
without giving what I had said and done
during the next four years.
During the first sixty days I followed
Mr., Wilson's lead. believing him to have
special information and accordingly a.
ceptinR his injunction to be neutral and
accepting the inspired statement from
Washington that the Administration had
special information showing that there
was no reason for us to blame either
side.
Then ! saw the Belgian Commission
and became convinced that President
Wilson's attitude was wholly uniustified
by the facts and Immediately thereupor
| took the attitude ! have ever since
held-an attitude 10 which President
Wilson himself came two and one-hali
years later.
81 am to blame for having followed
President Wilson during the first sixty
days. My attitude was due to the
earnest desire to support the President
II possibly could.
His Position same for Four Years
The only error committed In con.
nection with the war was the support
thus gave President Wilson for the
first sixty days.
The article in question was writer
during these sixty days and was a loya
support OF President Wilson's policy. but
II was an erroneous support and no one
has any business to quotSit without ais,
stating the fact that I was then AT the
outset of the war endeavoring to sup
port the President and that as soon as
became convinced he was wrong ceased
to support him and took the position
which held for the next four years and
which I>to-day hold"