The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1907-11-01
AFT TO RETIRE
IS A CANDIDATE
ORPRESIOENCY2
|oliticians Declare That
Theodore Roosevelt
Must Run Again.
Chief Executive Forced
to See Weakness of
Ohioan, 1t Is Said.

Secretary Taft's retirement from
the field as a Presidential candidate Is
declared IN wen-informed quarters to
be not merely a POSSIBILITY but prob
ability
From political quarters in close touch
with the White House and friendly 10
the reconciliation Of Roosevelt, the as
sertien comes that startling develop
ments in the Presidential situation may
be expected within the next few months.
These developments may be looked
for about the time Of Secretary Taft's
return from the Philippines. They are
contingent on what occurs in the mean
time.
Within recent weeks the President has
heard some plain words on the third
term question He heard them on his
Mississippi river trip, and he has heard
them since his return 10 Washington.
He has been told that Taft is making
no progress, and that his nomination is
out OF the question; and more than
that, that even if Taft is nominated
his election is doubtful. He has been
told, too, that the next President viii
be one OF two men-RooseveIt or
Bryan.
Told He Must Lead.
lie has been advised that if the Re
publican party is TO carry the country
in the 1893 election, Roosevelt must lead
il. that under such circumstances it
IS his duty to consent to renomina-
ton. and that If he refuses to stand
for denomination and Bryan is elected.
he viii he the object or bitter criticism
from mis- own party.
Among other things, he has been
given TO understand that the principles
ne has been teaching for the last six
years have obtained a strong lodg-
ment IL the public mind; that the
people are going 10 insist on man for
President who viii carry out the
Presidents policies, and that in many
States. especially In the Central West,
the feeling predominates that Bryan.
next after Roosevelt. IS the man best
dtted 10 the task.
According 10 q man Of public prom
inence. who has had exScuent OppOr-
tunity for knowing, the President viii
proceed in this fashion: First he will
give careful study TO the Taft move
ment. and viii seek TO ascertain
finally for himself whether Taft can
be nominated; 81. after a survey Of
the field, he considers that Taft can be
nominated. and is reasonably certain
or II, ne VIII issue a statement, saying
he win, under no circumstances, ac-
cept another nomination.
Taft May Force Him to Run.
on the other hand, II the President
decides that Taft has no show OF the
nomination. or no such chance as war
rants dependence upon it, then matters
viii be allowed to drift along until
Taft returns from the Philippines. If
Taft lands in America again and finds
his case hopeless. then he VIII with
draw from the field. In case of with
drawal, Tart may be expected 10 say
mat ne unds the people want the
President nominated; that he is con-
Vinced they do not want himself. and
that, accordingly, he has concluded 10
step aside. The effect would be in
CVitdDly a stronger trend than ever
toward Roosevelt and IL would be
more difficult than ever 10 prevent a.
general stampede 10 Roosevelt in the
national convention
So much for the prediction as made
by the authority referred to- II can
be said that since the President got
back TO Washington from his trim To
the West and Southwest he has been
giving the TAFT boom careful attention
He has sounded a lot Of Senators ana
Representatives upon IL. and some of
them have come out for the Ohio man.
among them Senator Long, of Kansas
Senator " arner, of Missouri, and Sena-
tor Flint, of California.
1t is intmated they were not en-
urely voluntary shouters for Taft
and that they had the way pointed olIt
10 them in their talks with the Presi-
dent There are strong Indications
that the President is talking and
working for Taft insIstently at this
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