The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-04-26
ROOSEVELT STILL
A PROGRESSIVE
Position Not DefinateIy Stated
But Leans Strongly To-
ward Insurgents
HAS NOT PROMISED
TO SUPPORT ANY ONE
To Hold Aloof From Politics for
Eight Weeks After Return.
We Fight for ''my
Policies.
(By a Staff Correspondent of the
United Press.)

(By Staff Correspondent of the
United Press.)
PARIS, April 2s.--Colonel Theodore
Roosevelt Is still progressive"
The colonel and the newspaper men
covering his present trip received the
first big batch of American news
papers upon arrival here. A glance
through these has sufficed to show
the agitation now on back home over
the question of whether Colonel
Roosevelt viii upon his return to the
United States ally himself with the
"Progressives" or the "Reactionaries.'
In the first place it can be stated
positively that Colonel Roosevelt has
not promised to endorse President
Taft or his administration and has
not directly or indirectly. In conf
dence or otherwise, endorsed or in
ana way commented upon the recent
ly enacted Cannon-Aldrich tariff law.
In the second place Mr.. Roosevelt
has not promised any one assistance
in the coming congressional election
and has sstven no intimation OF any
intentio to work for regular" party
candidates. Finally he has not in
dulged in any criticism whatever or
President Taft or the Taft admins
tfation.
feeling that having been honored by
the highest gift in the hands of the
American people he owes them a debt
of loyal and unselfish service which
he proposes to pay through con-
tinued fight for those principles which
have come to be termed progress
sive." These policies include real
railway control, the regulation of
child labor and broadly stated. the
advocacy of personal rights as OPP
posed to property rights.
Has Not Changed.
So far as daily conversations with
Colonel Roosevelt and closest analysis
his speeches has disclosed, he has
undergone no change since his de-
parture from the United States which
will cause him to be dissuaded from
the fight for these principles by either
personal or party consideration.
As an indication of the last state
ment Colonel Roosevelt has promised
to speak in Kansas at the John Brown
Memorial services next fall, which VII.
be under the direct auspices of Gov
ernor Stubos and Congressman Muir
dock. two deep dyed insurgents. His
conservation talk in Kansas City viii
be under the auspices OF" clifford
Plnchot. Lastly, he has invited Vic-
tor Murdoch. one of the leaders or
the present 'insurgent" movement in
the Republican party, to conference
at his home In New York.
Those who are expecting the eN-
hunter to plunge into the whirlpool
Of political discussion as soon an the
gangpiank OF his returning steamer
is lowered will be disappointed. He
has decided TO held aioft from any
public discussion or any public affairs
until at least eight weeks after his
return home.
Discusses Aerial Problems,
Aerial war problems engaged the
attention OF Colonel Roosevelt to-day
in a visit TO the military aerostatic
pafk at Meudon. Under the guidance
Of Commander Boattiaux, the colonel
was shown over the park and had ex-
planned to him. some Of the aerial war
problems that France is trying To
solve.
Colonel Roosevelt evinced the keen
est interest In the work and piled
Bouttiaux with questions. most OF
which touched upon the efficacy OF
aerial craft as war agents. After his
visit, the colonel Indicated his tlief
that aerial navigation would play an
astounding part in the next great war,
Later In the day Colonel Roosevelt
attended an impromptu aviation meet
at styles Moulineau&.