Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1910-08-19
And Let the "0|d cuard' Fight the Battle
m New York and Assume Response.
bi|ity--Pfes. Taft Is First, Last and
All the Time for HARMONY.
ROOSEVELT STANDS BACK.

Oyster Bay, N. Y, Aug. 1S.-Theo
| dore Roosevelt spent today in what
was probably the most important po-
litical conference he has held since he
left the White House. He gathered
about him a group of his close friends
and talked over with them the situa-
| ton which is best expressed in the re-
ports that relations between President
Taft and himself are strained to the
breaking point
William Loeb, Jr., collector of the
port of New York, Lloyd c. Griscom,
chairman of the New York Republican
county committee, Rep. William III.
Calder of Brooklyn, Frederick J. H. j.
Kracke, of Brooklyn and Rep. w. w.
Cocks of Col. Roosevelt's home dis
trict took part in the conference.
From what was said by some of the
visitors, it was learned that the ex-
President and his friends have agreed
on a plan of action which will hold
until the situation shapes itself more
clearly Briefly stated it is this
Col Roosevelt is to stand aside in
the New York state campaign and let
the "Old Guard" fight it's own fight and
thus shoulder all the responsibility for
the conduct and result of the cam
paign. He is neither to indorse nor
criticize the Taft administration. He
is to keep out all around if he can.
Through some of today's visitors it
was learned just why the colonel has
decided to keep his hands off. He feels
that the Republican state committee
in refusing to endorse him for tenn
porarv chairman of the Saratoga con-
vention, a position he had agreed to
accept much against his will, with the
knowledge that he would be held re-
sponsible for election reSults-Acted III
a manner that would make further ac-
tivity on his part look as if he were
leading a fractional fight against the
administration. 1t was said that COZ,
Roosevelt does not deem it either wise
or proper to permit himself to become
involved in such factional fight anu
that his present decision is that ne VIII
not go to the convention or take any
part that would render him response
BILE, he has come to no definite con
clusion, however.
One important proVlSo was emphasiZ
ed at today's conference. Those WITH
whom he talked were made to under
stand clearly that Col. Roosevelt re
serves to himself the right to Jump
into the thick OF the fight at any time
if he believes that the policies OF Whlch
he is the exponent are in serious Jeop-
ardy. But he let it be known That he
Wonld do SO with extreme reluctance
for he feels that in such contingency,
he might be led inevitable into a con-
troversy with the Taf administration.
From what was said after the confer
ence, it was gathered that Col. Roose
welt believed the present attitude OF
men who are influential in the natlonai
administration is hostile to MIN, ana
that an open rupture may result. III
such case the colonel feels that he may
be compelled at some .ssuncture to exert
his influence against the admlnlstra
ton. Those who are closest to the EN-
President believes that he will do eV-
erything in his power to avert such
crisis during the fall campaign. 1t *
their opinion that if he should decide
to fight, he prefers to postpone the
struggle until the 1912 campaign, when
the question of the nations policy for
the next four years is to be brought
before the entire country and when a
successor to William II. Taft is to he
elected.
Should such an issue between Col.
Roosevelt and the administration pre-
sent itself at that time, it Is the firm pc
lief of the colonePs intimate associates
that he will be in the fight to the end.
that he will take his own future on
the outcome, and again become can
didate for the Presidency. 1t is be-
lieved, however, that Col. Roosevelt re-
CARDS such a situation as a 1emote con-
tingency. which is not to receive seri-
Gus attention at the present time.
He has said repeatedly that he can
form no plans for the future, for the
situation may be changed completely at
any time. He has told his friends that
he is a candidate for no office, and that
he can conceive of no circumstance which
would lead him to accept the gubernato-
rial nomination or a seat in the United
States Senate. His associates believe that
the only reason which might lead him to
consider becoming a candidate for the
Presidential nomination would be the
conviction that he must seek another
term in order to carry on the work he
began while President.
The conference broke up late today
without any definite agreement as to
when another will be held. Col. Roose-
welt is to start for the West on Tues
day, and Mr.. Griscom and Mr.. Loeb said
they did not expect to be back at Saga
more Hill before that time, and probably
there will be no more lengthy talks of
this nature until after Col. Roosevelt re-
turns from the West. Most of the time
today was given to consideration Of the
New York situation. which is regarded
as the one thing which may develop in
such a way as to force Col Roosevelt
to make the fight within the party.
From an unquestionable source 1t is
known that he has taken deeply to reat