The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1907-12-11
News From WASHINGTON.
ROOSEVELT SAYS HE is NOT
CANDIDATE.
But the Republican Politicians are
Still Appfehensive That He VIII Be
Nominated Anyway-Other Mat
tors Of Interest in the Capital.


Washington, Dec. 7.-Quite a sem
satien was created in the political
world on Friday when the president
stated to prominent banker of
Pennsylvania, who told him that the
people of that State wanted him for
another term, '"That cannot be. I
cannot serve beyond my present term.
am grateful to the American people
for their kindly feeling toward me,
but somebody else must carry on the
work." The conviction Is growing
among the national committeeman OF
the Republican party. in session in
Washington this week, that this state
ment is final and the belief Is current
that an official statement will be made,
to this effect before many more weeks.
The conviction as 1t spreads leaves
some OF the committeeman without
anchorage. Few are willing to risk
the chance Of falling out with the
administration, end some have re-
course to the entirely safe course of
declaring for Mr.. Roosevelt despite
his personal attitude. But this con-
victfon Is cause for Infinite relief
among those politicians who at hear.
wish some other candidate, but who
fear the consequences of aligning
themselves with the faction which op-
poses Mr.. Roosevelt. Thus 1t will be
seen clearly that the Republican
brethren do, not dwell together in
peace and harmony.
Evidence has already been given
that the army nominations sent to the
senate by the president are not to be
permitted to- go through without
question by that body. Protests have
been filed against confirmation of
Rrig. Gen. ]. b. Aleshire, to be quar-
termaster general. and against Brig.
Gen. william w. witherspoon, of the
War College. on the ground that
they have hsenee advanced - over the
heads Of officers ahead OF them in
rank. The real facts In the case are
that Senator Hopkins. Of Illinois has
constituent in Chicago who is en-
deavoring to palm off on the govern
ment batch Of horses pronounced
UNFIT by Gen. Aleshire who is an ex-
pert In these matters. Hence the
hold-up of his promotion by the IlM-
nois senator. ~.
simplicity Of plan and promptnes IS
OF action are what the people need
and will demand" says Secretary Cor
telyou. in his annual report IN refer
ring to the need OF the enactment by
congress of legislation providing for
more elastic currency. Regardles,
Of the recommendations OF the sec.e
tary of the treasury or Of those Of tie
committee on banking and cur-c nc,
which Speaker Cannon appointed
with such pains. Senator Aldrich, that
| autocrat OF the senate. and his inn
mediate. advisers will. In their own
| good time, prepare bill that will
receive the hearty sanction of both
houses Of congress. 1t is common
gossip that athe president and the
speaker are both relying upon the co.
lossal brain of the senator from Rhode
Island for an adequate measure in
this trying situation.
| The recall Of Viscount Aoki and
| the information received at the State
department from our ambassador at
Tokyo that Paron Kogoro Takahira
Will In all probability succeed Wis
|count Aoki as Japanese ambassador
at Washington, have created no little
sensation in diplomatic and admisis-
tration circles. Baron Takahira's ap-
pointment would undoubtedly be ac-
ceptable to this government, and he Is
on very good terms with Presidnet
Roosevelt. Some effort has been
made to make 1t appear that Am
bassador Aoki's return to Japan is
a symptom Of friction in the relations
between the United States and Japan,
bat this Is treated as absurd by the
Administration. While the real rea-
sons for the recall are not as yet per-
fectly understood. 1t Is quite certain
this country has had no hand in the
matter. The recall Is al affair ofsthe
japanese diplomatic service. and its
motive must be sought for In the pur-
poses and methods OF japanese diplo.
macy.
| The presidents message to congress