Nevertheless a Fact The storm of abuse which hag been showered upon President Roosevelt, in connection with statements he is reported to have mide as to where the frontiers of the United States now are—reports which he has emphatically denied since—is a striking object lesson in the manner which statesmen who may deliver themselves of remarks, unpopular in certain very sensitive countries, are likely 10 become the subjects of vituperative attacks. It is now reported that 445 0 result of a spontaneous objection lodged in Rome against attacks on Mr. Roosevelt the newspapers have adopted a much quieter tone. Amongst the most annoying references to the President was one in connection with a misfortune which might have occurred to anyone. Ty is more unhappy because President Roosevelt has demonstrated remarkably fine qualities in the manner in which he has risen superior to the physical limitations which he suffered, and the way in which he has carved out a career which must be an inspiration to many who are similarly aMicted. There can be not the slightest doubt about it, whether one agrees with his policies or noi, he has demonstrated "his possession of the qualities of greatness in a degree which is second to none, not only in his person, but in his conduct. He has denied that he made the statements alleged.
Is quite Ukely thay this fs true, and thay he hasbeen the victim of misrepresentation by those senators, who have divulged what they thought the President said rather than what he actually did. If the accounts which they gave ere actually true, and in view of the President's statement, it musi be accepted that they were not, it docs not obscure the fact. that' the senators' versions do indicate what after all is the real position of the United Star democracies and the authoritarian countei referendum carried out in the United States by the institute of Public Opinion shows a growing sentiment amongst Americans against the return of the German Colonies. Eighty-five per cent. fre reported to have voted against it, as compared with 75 per cent, a year ago, Return would give Germany, bases within easy reach of South America, The collapse of the jonid in like manner present a it to North America, and all the argument in the world will not remove that fact, The frontiers of democracy are at its outposts and it Is not an unreasonable point of view to contend. that this brings Great Britain and France into the picture from an American point of view. This need not mean that the United States will ever again be called upon to Aight Europe, but it does mean that it is essential that the democracies in Western Europe should bbe Ju a position adequately to defend themselves. Thus {f all that President Roosevelt did was to defend his polley of allowing thave countries to purchase war materia! in the United States for their own defence, it might very well amount toa recognition of the existing state of affair without necessarily saying what various senate appear to have put into his mouth.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.