Evening star., 1907-08-20
SITUATION CLEARED
BY TAFT'S SPEECH,
On Record as in Accord With
the Roosevelt Policy.
PRESIDENTIAL RACE Is ON
Secretary's Address First Big Gun
in Campaign.
OPPOSITION TO oH1oAN SURE
First of Available Republican Candi-
dates to Unequivocally Stand for
the Presidents Ideas.
OPPOSITION TO oH1oAN SURE

Politicians figure that Secretary Taft's
speech has, by clearing the political at
mosphere, signalized the real opening of
the next presidential campaign. Mr.. Taft
was some time ago selected by the Presi-
dent as his choice of candidates to continue
the Roosevelt policies. Mr. Taft has, by
his speech last night, agreed to undertake
the task, and has put himself on record as
being in thorough accord with the Roose-
welt policies.
From now on, the politicians say, it will
be for the people to decide whether they
want to indorse those policies. They can
register that intention by sending Taft dele
cations to the republican national conven-
tion. No other candidate among the avail
ables it Is pointed out, has declared him
self unequivocally for the Roosevelt ideas,
therefore Mr.. Taft will stand as the per-
sonification in politics of those ideas.
Progressives and Conservatives.
New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio. Indiana
and Illinois will determine the outcome. 1t
will be struggle between the men who
hitherto have controlled republican politics
in those states and the rank and file of the
voters. The ROosevelt-Taft people will call
who do not indorse everything Roosevelt
and Taft have declared for will probably
style themselves conservatives"
There IS said to be not the least question
SIidt StIoHS oppoSltIOil " 1dtl'S HOII-
nation will Immediately be developed in
New York and Pennsylvania; also in In
diana and Illinois. 1t will be urged it Is
said, by financial. industrial and corpora
the idea of further extension of radical
policies of governmental control of in
dustres.
Struggle In New York State.
The keenest struggle will come in New
York state, the politicians say. President
Roosevelt is expected to use his utmost
deavor to swing the Empire state for the
candidate of his choice. That effort is eX
pected to be opposed by the friends Of Gov.
Hughes, also by the great financial and
corpora ton influences inimical to Roosevelt.
Pennsylvania Is expected to stand pat for
Knox. In Illinois it win be a struggle at
the primaries between the progressives and
the conservatives.
The progressives are regarded as having
this advantage in every state; they have
definite candidate, Mr.. Taft. The conserva-
tives are not united one man, but will
have to hold their delegations together on
a principle. In this respect Mr.. Tafts
speech Is regarded having enhanced his
prospects.
Politicians commented upon Mr.. Tafts
frequent references to Mr.. Bryan, drawing
the conclusion that Mr.. Taft looks upon
Mr.. Bryan as the probable democratic nom
inee. He is beginning far in advance of
the expected campaign to combat the Bryan
theories and to draw the attention of the
voters to the difference between his own
ideas and those of the presumed demo-
cratic candidate.
Ten Months Discussion of Platform.
There will be ten months of discussion of
the platform upon which Mr.. Taft stands
before the primaries will begin. which will
determine the makeup Of the delegations to
the national convention. During half of
that period Mr.. Taft will be out of the
country, but will have left his platform
clearly stated for consideration In the
meantime his friends in every state will be
hard at work making and fostering favor
able sentiment.
His headquarters are virtually establish
| ed his campaign manager selected, and an
active propaganda in his behalf is expected
Renewed pressure will be brought him
| to resign from the cabinet on his return
| from the Philippines, and many of his
| friends think he will do SO.