The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-07-26
ALL. READY FOR A SPLIT
Roosevelt and Ohio Man at
Parting Of Ways.
Senator Believes That Wood Per-
secuted His Friend Rathbone
in Order to Cover up Other
oHicial Corruption in Cuba.

Washington, July 25.-(Special) EVERY
thing is shaping up for a break between
Senator Hanna and President Roosevelt.
Immediately after the death of Presi-
dent Mckinley political seers became
busy with predictions of a split in the
Republican party with the friends Of Sem
ator Hanna heading faction that would
seek the defeat of Mr.. Roosevelt for
nomination in 1904. There were hints all
during the session of Congress that such
break was imminent but 1t failed to
materialize. Senator Hanna. 50 far az
surface indications went. was one of the
few prominent Republican Senators who
remained loyal to President Roosevelt
and gave hearty support to the policies
advocated by him. When the President
had been deserted by nearly all of the
Republican Senators in the fight for Cu-
ban reciprocity, Mr.. Hanna remained
steadfast and warned his party that a
failure to pass the reciprocity measure
would be rebuked by the people at the
polls. In nearly every measure before
Congress the Ohio Senator was squareiy
in support Of the Presidents attitude.
Seems Unavoidable.
But the break now seems unavoidable.
1t win come when the President attempts
to bestow further honors upon General
Leonard Wood, late Governor General OF
Cuba. General Wood wants to be at the
head OF the Panama Canal Commission,
and the President is known to be favor
ably considering his name In connection
with the appointment. Senator Hanna
hates Wood. He believes that Wood per-
secuted Rathbone in connection with the
prosecution Of the Cuban postal frauds.
He believes that Rathbone was used az n
scapegoat. to cover up the extravagance
II not corruption that marked the history
of American occupation In Cuba
The Ohio Senator has made this plain
| TO the President. Before asking for
new trial for Rathbone Senator Hanna
had a careful examination of the records
made and threatened to expose the ex-
travagance unless the President gave
Rathbone a rehearing. Since the talk of
promoting Wood to the management Of
the canal enterprise Senator Hanna has
served formal notice on the President
that he will oppose Woods confirmation
in the Senate and will carry the fight to
the limit even to a break OF his. friendly
relations with the President
II this threat had been made two
months ago it Is probable that the Pres
ident would have abandoned any idea OF
placing General Wood on the proposed
commission. Just now, however, the
President believes that his nomination is
practically certain and he is not particu-
larry alarmed over Senator Hanna's
threat.
Roosevelt Feels Safe.
Reports from nearly all the States in
the Union indicate an almost unanimous
sentiment in favor of Mr.. Roosevelts
nomination and he will probably
as soon have the break with Senator
Hanna come now as later for 1t Is GER
tain to come.
There are a good many Republicans
more or less prominent in their party.
who do not share President Roosevelts
confidence over his denomination. They
believe that Senator Hannas friends will
present formal opposition to the Presi-
dents nomination and will urge the Ohio
Senator for leadership OF the party. 30
strong has this feeling become that In
diana is also in the field with its candi-
date in the person of Senator Fairbanks.
II the break between Hanna and Roose-
Welt comes soon. 1t is certain that a num-
her of states will have delegations in con-
vention opposed to Roosevelt's nomina-
ton. Their hope is to create deadlock
in which event 1t might be possible to
secure the nomination of either Senator
Hanna or Senator Fairbanks. e.
II is generally understood that the
President will make no nominations for
the Canal Commission until late this fall.
possibIy not until after the election. He
will then be in position to determine
whether It will be safe for him to invite
the fight that will certainly follow his be-
stowal Of further honors upon General
Wood.