DEATH OF MR ROOSEVELT.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 16415, 8 January 1919, Page 7

DEATH OF MR ROOSEVELT.

PASSES AWAY IN HIS SLEEP. (By Cable.—Press Association. —Copyright.) * (Australian and Cable Association.) NEW YORK, January 6. Sir Theodore Roosevelt. ex-President of the United States, died peacefully in his sleep at Oyster Bay at 4 o'clock this morning. ilr Roosevelt arrived at Sagamore Hill on Christmas Day. A week later he was stricken with rheumatism and sciatica, liis right hand being much swollen. He remained in his room, undergoing treatment. On Sunday night he retired, apparently better." At 4 a.m. Mrs Roosevelt went to her husband's room and found him dead. He died peacefully. Tho cause of death, according to the official medical statement, was a clot of bloou on tho lung. Mr Roosevelt three weeks ago suffered from pulmonary embolism, which endangered his life. He. was taken to a hospital and was believed to have recovered. "WIDESPREAD GRIEF. WASHINGTON, January G. j Flags are flying at half-mast everywhere in tho United States, and also on the fleet at naval posts, military cantonment*, and on public buildings, in memory of the late Mr Rcosevelt. Thousands of messages of condolence have been received. Both Houses passed a resolution of sympathy with Mrs Roosevelt in tho death of her husband, and, after appointing a oommitteo to attend tho funeral, adjourned for the day. BRITISH "SYMPATHY. NEW YORK, January 6. The London correspondent, of tho United Press states that the King and Queen have expressed their regrets at Mr Roosevelt's death, and have cabled their condolence. TRIBUTES IN THE SENATE. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) (Received January Bth, 1.20 aon.) WASHINGTON, January 7. . Mr Roosevelt's funeral takes place on Wednesday. Eulogising Mr Roosevelt in the Senate, the Democratic leader, Senator Martin, said tho -ex-President's patriotism and ability were unquestioned. He was truly a great American of unqualified courage. Senator Lodge declared that Mr Roosevelt devoted his life to his country and always sought to sorve it. Theodore Roosevelt was born in 1858 in Mew York, whither his paternal ancestors had emigrated from Holland in 1644. when tho infant city was known •as Now Amsterdam. His mother's forbears had accompanied William Penn, tho founder of the State of Pennsylvania, and were of mingled Scotch, Irish, and Huguenot stock, and included somo Welsh and English Quakers, and peaceloving Germans from the Rhinoland. Although born in Now York, ho was educated privately and at Harvard, graduating in 1880, and after a visit to Europo studied law in New York. Before qualifying ho embarked on politics as a career, and at the age of 23 was olected as a Republican to the New York Legislature. After three Or four years of State politics he bought two ranches in North Dakota, and spent two years there, acquiring tho knowledge of American frontier life in the 19th century to which he subsequently gave expression in his book, "The Winning of the West." In 1886 ho "ran for" tho mayoralty of New York, but was badly defeated Threo years lator Mr Harrison, tho then President, appointed him a member of the United States Civil Service Commission, in which capacity ho gave evidence of that reforming zeal which later he was to carry to much greater lengths as President. In 1895, rosigning from the Civil iSorvice Commission, he became President of the Board of Police Commissioners for the City of New York, and for two years he exerted liimsolf to tho utmost to purify the city. The next post he filled was that of Assistant Secretary of tho Navy, to which President McKinley appointed him in 1897. Confident that the United States would before long be at war with Spain, ho concentrated his energies on preparing the navy for the coming conflict. When tho war'broke out, he resigned from the Navy Department, and organised tho famous "Rough Riders," a volunteer regiment composed of cowboys, ranchmen, collego athletes, city clubmen, and members of the New York Police Foreo, all of fine physique. Roosevelt, who was promote! from lieutenantcolonel to colonel during the campaign, won distinction on several occasions, notably at San Juan Hill. Aftor the close of tho \var Mr Roosevelt, was elected Governor of New Tork State, and at tho end of his term of two years was nominated, not altogether with his approval, for the Vice-Presidency, and wa's elected. At the end of six months President McKinley was assassinated, and Mr Roosevelt became the 26th Presidont of the United States at 43, the youngest man who had ever occupied that position. At tho end of his term was re-elected by the largest popular majority ever received by a candidate for the Presidency. His terms of oflico were distinguished by his vigorous campaign against political and commercial corruption, and against tho "trusts." An attempt was mado to induce him to break away from precedent and stand for a third term, but he had in 1904 announced that ho would _ not accept nomination again, and his infiuonco largely helped to secure the election of Mr Taft in 1908. In 1907 he sent tho American fleet on its historic tour of the world. Mr Roosevelt, aftor leaving office, spent the best port of a year in a shooting and collecting expodition in Africa, which he described in "African Game Trails." He travelled through Egypt, tho Continent, and England, being received evorywhore with great enthusiasm. Ho acted as special Ambassador of the United States at the funeral of King Edward VII. On returning to th e States he became contributing editor of the "Outlook." In 1912 he stood again as a candidate for the Presidency but was defeated by Mr Wilson, only ooming third on tho poll. In 1913 he toured South America, where lie repeated his European successes, and in the following year ho headed_ an exoloring piirtv in Brazil, fcnd discovered and followed for about GOO miles a river tho existence of which was so much in di_snute that it was known as the Rio Duvida, the river of doubt, since named, in his honour. Rio Teodoro. Tn the same year he visited Spain and Ensrland. It should bo mentioned that in 1906 he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prizo for his efforts in bringing the RussoJapanese war to a close. tho great war broke out Mr Roosevelt strongly espoused the_ cause of the Allies, and violently criticised President Wilson's inaction and neutrality. When America finally came into the war he offered to raise a force to go to France, but the offer was declined. Ho then devoted himself to stimulating, by speeches and _ articles, America's enorgy ;n prosecuting the war. He always spoke most strongly in admiration and support of Great Britain, and his attacks on the der.t's ''fourtoen points" were based to some extent apparently on his belter that Britain was entitled to a supremo navv. Mr Roosevelt was twice married. Hi,s first wife died in leading a daughter; his second wife and four children survive him. His tour 6ons all fought in the war, in which one was killed *and another wounded.