New-York tribune., 1919-01-09
.sCreat Friend of
France Is Dead, -
Is Paris's View
Nation Looked ON Former
President as Real Expo
nent of American Ideals;
Press Is United i'm Praise
Neao York Tribune


Copyright 1919. New York Tribune Inc.)
PARIS, Jan. 8.-"A great friend of
France is dead!" This is the dominant
note in all the editorial notices on the
death of Colonel Roosevelt in the Paris
newspapers. The grief of France is as
sincere as it is widespread. Theodore
Roosevelt, more than any other states
man Of the New World, has in the last
ten or twelve years typified American
ideals in the minds of Frenchmen of
all classes and political faiths.
Not even the brilliantly successful
visit of President Wilson has been able
to eliminate from the heart of the aver
age Frenchman the haunting feeling of
regret that "Teddy," as he is always
affectionately called here by all sorts
and conditions of people. was not ore
of Americas spokesmen at the peace
congress-
This regret has even been voiced pub
licly more than once during the last
few weeks, for Frances faith in Roose-
velt and all he stood for was deep
rooted and unshakable.
Repeats Colonel's Message
Stephane Lauzanne, in the "Matin,"
repeats the message Roosevelt gave him
at Oyster Bay few months back, after
the glorious death of his son, Quentin.
81 have no message to send to
France" he said. 81 have given her
the best had, and if they say anything
about me over there, tell them simply
that have only one regret-that I have
been unable to give myself"
Roosevelt's message, when it was
cabled here, touched all France to the
heart. They remembered seeing the
former President in their midst few
years ago, when he courageously ex-
pounded to them the gospel of America
as regards things the French national
consciousness often deliberately ignores.
Mr.. Roosevelt's lesson cut like whip
for moment, but France was grateful
to the man who took the risk of ad-
ministering it, and the people here have
long recognized with full hearts that
not a small part of the magnificent
national revival which has enabled
France scornfully to give the lie to
those who ten years ago declared her
to be degenerate and incapable Of any
great effort was due to the wholesome
tonic "Teddy" administered on his visit
during his last European tour.
Colonel Roosevelt bulked so large in
the French mind that Clemenceau, writ
ing in his "Homme Enchaine" in May,
1917, when the American troops first
made their formal appearance in Paris,
noted the crowds in the streets on that
occasion and heard on every hand.
"Wherc is Roosevelt? We don't see
Roosevelt"
Deserved to See Victory
"The crowds" says Figaro" "both
from gratitude and affection will recall
the figure of this great ally to-day.
Roosevelt contributed to the awakening
of the American conscience and he de-
served to see victory and be among the
conquerors. This real democrat be-
lieved that love for the American peo-
pie and love for peace were the prime
reasons for American intervention in
Europe"
Roosevelt" says the "Gaulois," "has
played a preponderating and determin
ming role in the broad evolution OF the
American people. This paladin of a
heroic age was at the same time the
most clairvoyant of modern statesmen
He showed his country the road she
must follow when she again asks her
way"
"The death of Roosevelt is an i'm
mense loss for France" says LIE Char
tier, in petit Parisien," who recalls a.
conversation he had with Roosevelt at
Oyster Bay year or so ago, when the
ex-Prcsident, "foreshadowing the fut-
ure, expressed tn, fear that the Central