The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-08-19
ROOSEVELT W|L|
KEEP HANDS OF|
new. YORK FIGHT
Proposes to Let Old
Guard S houl Ter
Resp ibility,
COURSE DECIDED
IN INFERENCE
Hopes to Prevent Open Rupture
With Administration in Fall
campaign-May Be Forced
to Seek Nomination in
1912 to Save "My s.s
Policies s3i

Oyster Bay, N. Y. August 1s.-The-
odore Roosevelt spent to-day In what
was probably the most important polit-.
ical 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 situn-
tton, which is best expressed inaths
reports that relations between Presi-
dent Taft and himself are strained to
the breaking point.
William Loen, Jr., collector OF the
port OF New York; Lloyd G. Griscorn,
chairman Of the New York Republican
county committee; Representative VII
liam NJ. Calder, OF Brooklyn; Frederick
j. FL. kracke, OF Brooklyn, and Repre-
sentative w. w. Cocks, of Colonel
Roosevelt's home district, took part in
the conference From what was said
by some OF the visitors, 1t was learned i
that the ex-President and his friends
have agreed on plan of action which !
VIII hold until the situation shapes IT. !.
self more clearly.
Briefly stated, 1t Is this: Colonel
Roosevelt is to stand aside in the New
ork state campaign and let the "Old
Guard fight its own fight and thus
shoulder all the responsibility for the
l.
He Is neither to indorse nor criticize
the Taft administration. He Is to keen
out all around II he can
Tho Reason Why.
through some Of to-day.s visitors II
was learned why the colonel has de-
cided to keep his hands off. He feels
that the Republican State committee
In refusing to indorse him for tenn
porary 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-
lssponstble for election results-ncteds
In manner that would make further
activity on his part look as II 14
were leading q factiona1 fight against
the administration. It was said that
Colonel Roosevelt does not deem 1T
either wise or proper to permit hin.-
self to become involved in such q fac
tional fight. and that his present de-
cision Is that he will not go to the
convention or take any part which
would render him responsible. He has
come to no definite conclusions how
ever. One important proviso was er1-
phasized at to-day's conferences. Those
with whom he talked were made to
understand clearly that Colonel Roose-
volt reserves to himself the right to-
enter the thick OF the fight at any
time II he believes that the policies OF
which he is exponent are In serious
Jeopardy. Il
From what was said after the con-
ference 1t was gathered that Colonial
Roosevelt believes the present attitude
Of men who are influential In the ma
tional administration Is hostile to him.
and that an open rupture may result.
In such case the colonel feels that he
may bo compelled at some juncture ru
exert his influence against the admin
istration.
Would Wait TIL 1912.
Those who are closest to the ex-
President believe that he will do ev-
5erything in his power to avert such "a s
crisis during the fall campaign, ana
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. 5s3s
NJ. Hc has said repeatedly that he can 4
form no plans for the future. for tho
situation may be changed completely
at any time. Els aaso ctates believe
that the only reason which might lead
for the presidential nomination would
be the conviction that he must seek
another term, in order successfully to
carry on work he began while Presi-s
dent. The conference broke UP late
to-day without any definite agreement
as to when another will be held.
Colonel Roosevelt Is to start for the
West on Tuesday, and probably thero
will be no more consultations OF thls
nature until after Colonel Roosevelt
returns. F
Colonel Roosevelt said himself no
was not talking politics for publica-
ton, When attempts were made Gftec
the conference to get him to- express
his views He Will so to New York
to morrow and In the atternoon will
address the Negro Business Mems:
League. d