The Washington herald., 1909-11-18
WATTERSON SEES
TROUBLE FOR TAFT
IN THE YEAR OF 1912

No hrmer believer IN the Back from
Elba Club" lives than Col. Henry Waiter
son. editor and proprietor OF the Louis
VILE Courier Journal When coralled
early IN the day by group OF newspaper
| men he launched forth in n description
or some Of his Impressions during his
recent trip abroad
Possibly what impressed me most
the colonel said, was tho thorough be-
lief abroad that a fight impends be-
tween President Taft and Theodore
Roosevelt Not that Il was believed
that there is the slightest enmlty
between these two men. but the
activities or the perfect organization be-
hind Mr. Roosevelt will, I'm the end. be
bound TO make trouble Its ramihcations
are stupendeus. and Il is my belief
/ that it is bound to make trouble IN
1872"
DO you think most Of the members OF
I this organizat ton, which has been called
/ the Back from Elba Club, are now in
| the governments employ
In Government Service.
ct wouldn't like to say that: that would
/ be an accusation. I think you will find
its members both in and out OF the gov
! eminent service. All sorts Of circum-
| stances lead naturally to such a condi-
ton. An outgoing President has his ad-
/ mirers and friends, and the incoming
Chief Executive always finds ii hard to
satisfy all Therefore, the disgruntled
ones will work TO set their favorite back
in power.
MY mind IS IN a state OF repose. 90
! Col. Watterson continued. Il am out
Of touch with politics IN general just at
present, but as an observer, I must say
that no matter what develops in the cam
paign Of 1912 the Republican party IS
almost bound TO be triumphant Should
the Rack from Elba Club, as II IS called,
be successful in their efforts TO make
trouble. It will only mean that another
man will arise who viii be the success
ful one and become President
why. during the past sixty-fve years
there have been ten Presidents elected
who two years before their Inauguration
were practically unknown to the public
az large. / consider the present situation
strkingly similar 10 that which existed
between Buchanan and Douglas when
President Lincoln was elected. but II can
in no way be considered as being as
acute as at that time. No one can tell
what 1872 will bring forth-its too early
90 talk politics.
But. if a fight Is brought about, and
the Republican party becomes disrupted
see ray OF hope for US Democrats. n
Not Excited over Tariff.
The tariff. Col Watterson said. IS not
frequently 4 topic Of discussion abroad
France and Germany do not seem 10 be
excited az present in avoiding trade war.
with the United States.
Germany and France, as 7 viewed the
tariff situation seem 20 believe that il
Will be time enough 10 take I'D tariff
matters with the United states when the
present tariff agreements with the United
states expire. Tire matter will be settled
with both countries on strictly trade lines
, and think you will find In the end tina
r matters will be amicably adjusted.
"The tariff contains a powerful SUI
] fragettc argument-viewed from the femi
nine standpoint but II the women sc
, their votes we would all be free traders
Z 7 found that American women are jus
as active in Paris. purchasing their gown
! this year as heretofore, but the way the.
! talked about Mr.. Loeb and the tariff wa
S something awful"'
: Effort was made by his interviewers &
e have Col. Watterson talk further on poll
( tics. but the Kentucky editor declared I
{ was altogether too early-that 1912 was
v long way of. one reporter. however, wa
e nsistent. and asked the colonel point
s blank II he would accept the Democrat
Presidential nomination. With a smil
& the colonel replied:
L i've crossed my allotted span Of life
d I am on the shelf But I will say. how
4 ever. that I would consider the nOmina
n ton a disaster and my election a catas
trophe President Taft. the present oc
y cupant Of the White House. IS alread
2 feeling the effects OF It, No matter VIII
/. the man, he is sure TO have his enemies.