Evening star., 1925-02-14
ROOT, RETIRING,
HAS FAITH IN U. S.
Voices Strong Optimism.
Hughes Lauds "Genius" of
Veteran "Statesman."
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
NEW YORK, February 14.-Elihu
Root at dinner rendered him last
night by the Union League Club of
New York. Of which he has twice been
president declared that In, retiring
from public life he had faith that
the United States will prosper and
progress under its present democratic
form of government. The dinner was
in celebration of Mr.. Roots S0th
birthday anniversary. which will be
Sunday
Eulosies Of Mr. Roots career were
spoken by Charles Evans Hughes,
Secretary of State. and James NJ
Beck, solicitor general OF the United
States. Overwhelmed by the ovations.
Mr.. Root could at first say only: Il
have done whate came to my hand
to do as we'll as ! could"
Mr.. Root affirmed his devotion to
the United States Government as IT
Is today. and said that the Ameri-
can people are more competent now
to carry out their duties as citizens
than they were when he hrst launch ed
upon a public career.
Voices Optimi.m.
He said that speaking as an old
man he was not inclined, as patria rchs S
generally are, to be critical, but was
optimistic because the country has
better educational equipment. bet
ter international attitude and a
cleaner internal political condition
than II could ever hope to have had
so years ago.
Expressing his faith in the ability
of the American people to carry for
ward the work of developing self
government and confidence in the Ma =
tions future achievements Mr. Root
concluded:
These wider things will be accom-
plished, Senate or no Senate. Congress
or no Congress, Legislatures or no
Legislatures, pacifsts or no paci-
fists. bolsheviki or no bolsheviki."
Secretary Hughes elevated Mr.. Root
to the American nobility" placing
him ''in our hall of illustrious men
who hold the only patent of nobility
In this Republic. that of worth OF
character, distinction of attainmen,
said Mr.. Hughes, Is 1.-The nearest ap-
p. zach that we can make in this
country to the gift of an earldom. "
Lnuds Root as Genius.
Mr.. Hughes explained that he paid
tribute to Mr.. Root not only as an
admirer Of the veteran statesman's
pot dS d IlitIu oI =
years standing. From the time Mir
Root was United States district at
torney for the southern district OF
New York to the present day. said the
Secretary, he has displayed genius
for statecraft as distinct as that OF
the most eminent painter. sculptor or
poet for his art"
I'm his service to his country" con.
tinued the Secretary, "he has been
true to the highest ideal of his pro-
fession. and there could be no highe T
praise than that. He had the
work OF applying to some 10000, ,0OO
of people in Cuba. Porto Rico and the
Philippines the principles of Amer
lean liberty. You will find in his in
structions TO the military governor
OF Cuba in February, 1901. the for
mutation of our relations to Cuba
which were afterwards embodied in
what is called the Piatt amendment
You will find in his reports the ex-
plication of the principles to be ap-
piled in Porto Rico and the Philip
pines and the foundations of whatever
successful administration we have in
these islands.
Valuable 10 Roosevelt.
1T is, however. in the international
sphere that he has rendered the most
notable service. He became Secretary
of State under President Roosevelt. [,
Is no dispars cement of that dynamic
personality to say that Roosevelt
needed Root. Roosevelt admired and
trusted Root. and Root admired and
admonished Roosevelt"
Mr.. Hughes cited Mr. Roots visi
to South America. where he enun
ciated the principles which mus
ever guide us in our relations with
the Latin American republics: hi.
adjustment of the school controvers,
with Japan and the gentleman
agreement" on Japanese immigration
he told of Mr.. Roots instructions Il
American delegates to the secone
peace conference at The Hague. ant
of reform In the American consular
service. He continued:
But Mr.. Root has rendered ever
greater service in the internationa
field since his retirement from office
II you asked me what
considered to be the crown of hi.
endeavor. l should say II was hi.
skill in cutting through the entangle
ments which stood in the way OF tn,
establishment of Permanent Cour
of International Justice. His sue
gestion as to the method of selecting
judges made that court possible ant
this successful endeavor in the in,
terest of international peace throu rt
promoting the reign OF law will ever
III