The Washington times., 1907-12-12
Believed Refusal of the
President Will Add to
Hughes Strength.
Leaders of Opposition
Kept In Surprise Till
the Last Day.

President Roosevelt's announce
ment formally reiterating his deter
mination not to accept another
nomination has struck Washington
like a blow between the eyes. 1t
is almost universally looked on as
putting him irrevOcably out of con-
sideration. A few Itra-third-term-
ers are still unwilling to be con-
vinced, but the fact IS that Mr..
Roosevelt has absolutely eliminated
himself, and politicians generally
view his statement in this light.
Last week, when the Republican
national committee was here, the
statement would have caused little
surprise. 1t was, in fact, expected.
Opponents in Suspense.
The President had been doing a good
deal Of talking privately that he would
not serve again, but he had frowned on
/ those that went outside and got gar
rulOus with the multitude. After the
national committee departed the Presi-
dent gave some OF his callers to under
stand that II was likely 20 be a good
many weeks before he would issue
statement. The impression had again
become strong that the President had
decided ne would give his opponents
most trouble II he kept them guessing
until well along toward convention time
and. moreover, that he would be better
able to sway the big stick over the
heads OF Congress II he kept up the
uncertainty.
What led the President to issue his
statement so suddenly Is much discussed,
but Is, so far. largely conjectural. It
has stupefied the Presidents ardent sup
porters. has hurt more than helped the
Taft movement. has weakened the Pres
ident's grip on Congress. has made IL
certain that Senate and House leaders
will, for the rest of this Congress, snap
their fingers at the Presidents policies,
and has suddenly opened up A chaotic
Presidential campaign, with a half dozen
aspirants struggling for nomination.
Situation Surrounded.
Has the President suddenly realized
that his opponents have surrounded tine
situa don and got control Of things?
This Is the way it looks today. The
meeting Of the national committee last
week made it clear that the President
did not control the committee. but that
his opponents did. The friends OF Fair
banks. Foraker. Hughes. Knox, and
Cannon went away from Washington
openly declaring they not only had con-
troll Of the committee, but had delega-
tinns enough in sight so that . . Presi-
dent could not control the next con-
vention They declared that jhe PreSi-
dent could not control Il for Taft. and
that he could not control IL for himself,
so long as he was not out for the NOM
ination in the open.
Cabinet Situation.
TIE Cabinet situation, furthermore,
had become strained TO the breaking
point. The Taft leaders were up in
arms because the President had per-
mitted Cortelyou 10 undermine their
candidate and get Southern delegations
under the cover Of furthering the third
term movement They had protested,
through Arthur Vorys, and otherwise
to the President. 1t was known that in
their inner circles there was a deep
seated suspicion the President was
PLAYING them false, and was not giving
mort that might be expected. The feel
ing was growing that when Taft him
self got home he would cast aside for
once his mantle OF good nature and in
diCnantIy quit the Cabinet, unless he
could be convinced that COrtelyOu was
| to be held back and forced to quit
stabbing his boom in the back, under
| the cloak Of the third term
Hits Cortelyou Boom.
Under the pressure of the Taft lead
ers and the weight of a threatened out
break OF Taft's ire when he returned
the President was forced to issue anew
his order as to Federal oficeholders
going instructed 20 the national coli
| vention. II was a slap 1t the Cortelyou
boom. blow at the activities OF Frank
II Hitchcock and John G. CaperS. in
ternal revenue commissioner.
The Cortelyou men had been inclined
| TO look lightly on it when IT first came
/ out. Its reiteration made them angry
when there was some riotous talk in
! the Cortelyou camp. Even Secretary
/ Cortelyou selt keenly that he was not
being given the square deal at the
White House, and not being accorded
the same treatment as Taft.
| The President was confronted with
/ the unpleasant prospect Of d Cabinet
/ tear-up that would end with he resig-
nation Of either Taft or Cortclyou, or
both. Even now, this may happen. But
| It could only make matters worse for
/ the President to maintain an attitude
/ that many construed as receptive to-
ward a third term and allow CortelyoU
and other candidates. too. to get dele
/ cations away from Taft under covsr
/ OF the third term
| II became clear that for the President
20 keep his own skirts clear OF suspicion
ne had to cut loose completely from all
! possibility Of taking denomination