The Washington herald., 1907-03-31
Special to The Washington Herald.

Special to The Washington Herald.
Cincinnati Ohio. March Ex-senator
Foraker's challenge 10 Secretary Taft,
and the veiled attack on President Roose-
welt in his statement demanding prima-
ries to decide the Presidential and Sena-
tOrial situation in Ohio. has met with a
ringing response.
This afternoon Charles P. Taft, the
brother Of Secretary Taft. issued d def TO
Foraker. which means a war Of extermi-
nation.
TAFT OF Foraker must be wiped of the
political map as a result of the accept
anee Of the challenge, and Ohio is 10 be
the battle ground of one Of the hereest
fights ever known in the political history
OF this country
Roosevelt in the Fight.
The Cincinnati editor is careful to bring
out in his reply to Foraker that the fight
is not alone between the Senator and the
Cabinet officer. but that President Rocse-
Welt stands with Taft.
Up to this time Roosevelt has not per
mitted himself 10 be drawn into the con-
repudiates the last paragraph of the
statement issued to-day he viii be as
much participant as Taft himself Fol
lowing is the statement:
Senator Forakers statement indi-
cafes that he is running for the Presi-
dency and for the Senatorship. The
friends of Secretary Taft are urging
him for the Presidency. As the Sena-
Tor has included the two offices in this
primary contest. Secretary Tafts
friends accept the proposition and
viii make it a distinct contest. Taft
for the Presidency or Senatorship. or
Foraker for the Presidency .Cf Senator
ship.
If the Republicans of Ohio 10y their
votes at the primaries. Indicate that
they prefer Foraker for the Presi-
dency OF Senatorship, Secretary Taft
is eliminated from the political situa-
tion. II the people of Ohio indicate
Secretary Taft for the Presidency or
Senatorship. Senator Foraker is elimi-
mated from the political situation Ia
Ohio.
This is direct contest between
the friends OF the administration of
President Roosevelt and his friends.
We are willing to submit it to the Re
publican voters of Ohio. and the sooner
the better.
"(signed) CHARLES P TAFT
Matter of National Importance.
Forakers deh set the politicians buzzing,
but this answer from the Taft camp has
reused interest in the contest to boiling
pitch The matter is Of national impor-
tance. of course. because in whatever form
the contest is held il viii decide whether
Ohio shall go into next years national
Republican convention with united or
broken forces in support Of a favorite son.
Under the Taft plan. If it should be ac-
eepted by Foraker, there would be no
second honors in the race Each man
would stake all his political fortunes on
the contest, and the loser would be down
and out for all time. Ii is assumed that
Editor Taft has absolute authority to
speak for his brother. It is believed that
Secretary Taft, when he landed on the
lSthmus to-day received a cablegram put
ting him in possession of every develop
ment since he sailed, and that Editor
Tafts def was then o. KID by the big
Secretary.
What Victory or Defeat Means.
IN case Foraker should win both Sena-
toTship and Presidential Endorsement he
would have the Senatorship as a GER
tainty, providing, Of course, the Repub-
licans control the legislature, and the sup
port of Ohio for the Presidency.
If Taft Won, he could take the Presi-
Dental nomination, If he won in the na-
tional convention, and in case Of defeat
for the Presidency tall back on the Sen
atorship, or indicate man who repre-
sents his policies. It is believed that Taft
has no personal ambition to be Senator.
and that. il defeated for the Presidency.
he would either 80 on the Supreme Court
bench or retire 20 Cincinnati to practice.
If elected President, he would be in a. DO
sition 10 name the next Senator from
Ohio.
Foraker, in his challenge, showed that
he had taken an irreyocable step. and
the reply, with its defiance, indicates that
the opposition will give no mercy. II is
evident that no quarter VIII be asked
Foraker Is too we'll known a fighter To
ever beg for mercy. He will 90 down
lighting, and the betting already Is that
he has lost. His hostility to President
Roosevelt is considered too great haBdi-
cap for any man, even though he has con-
troll OF the party machinery Of his State.