Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-03-05
Next Two Weeks Critical
Period in Republican Politics.
ALLIES IMPORTANT WORK
New England to Be Organized
Against Instructions.
DIFFICULTIES IN CAMPAIGN
Attitude of Labor and Temper Of
Negro Vote in Border States-con-
ventions for March.

The next ten days or two weeks will
form a very critical period in republican
national political affairs. witnessing fur.
ther progress of the Taft boom on the
one hand and more thorough Organiza-
ton Of the opposition on the other. The
conventions. state and district, to he held
within that period. will for the most part
be in Secretary Tafts favor. and things
will be coming his way with rush.
But there will be important work by
the allies as the opposition to Secre-
tary Taft is designated. New England
is to be organized against instructed del
egations. The keynote was sounded last
night in a formal statement issued by
Senator Crane in Boston, pleading for a
free rein and no rowels in Massachu-
setts. His word has great weight in the
Bay state, and if his advice is followed
the effect in Maine. New Hampshire and
Vermont may be of consequence.
Senator Cranes Statement.
Senator Cranes statement was as fol-
lows:
THE next republican national conven-
ton will, without doubt. be the most i'm
portant convention held since 1854. The
action taken there may determine the re-
suit of the election soon to follow.
Massachusetts should take an influen-
tial part in that gathering of representa-
tive republicans from all parts of the
country, and should uphold her we'll
known traditions and reputation for po-
bampered by instructions or resolutions.
They should be absolutely free to DO
that which seems wisest and best for the
party and for the country
Gov. Hughes is to speak in Boston next
Tuesday night at meeting which will be
sponsored by influential republicans Of
Massachusetts. and it is stated that fol-
lowing his address there will be excess
of activity in behalf Of an uninstructed
delegation. OF course. everybody knows
that the keystone Of the campaign OF the
allies is to send uninstructed delegations
to Chicago, so that there may be a free
and full conference of republicans from
all parts of the country. In which vital
questions will be discussed. the aforesaid
vital questions relating to the prospective
chances of election of the respective can
didates.
Difficulties in Campaign.
Secretary Tafts fire nds know that there
is grave discussion among republicans of
national prominence of the difficulties
confronting the republican party in the
coming campaign: difficulties arising from
the attitude of labor, from the temper OF
the negro vote in the border states and
in Indiana, Illinois and Ohio. and from
other causes. It would be childish to say
that these considerations are not giving
concern Many republicans think they
will have to be taken into account at Chi
cago.
1t is revealing no secret to say that
neither in the group Of republicans inter-
ested In the national campaign nor those
paying more particular attention to the
congressional campaign is there any be-
lief that the republican party will have a
walkover in the next election. Beyond
the question of nominations comes the
question Of electing the candidates, and
a great many republicans are taking these
into serious consideration at this time.
South in State of Ferment.
While the Taft boom will be making
progress in the states and districts to
hold conventions within the fortnight to
come. work by the opposition will con-
Itinue in the southern states. There is