New-York tribune., 1910-08-19
Most important Meeting Since
He Left White House at
Sycamore Hill.
MAY KEEP CLEAR IN STATE
Will Let "Old Guard" Run Mat
ters Unless He Feels It Neces-
sary to Fight for His
Policies.
[Ry The Associated Press.1


of his close friends. and talked over with
them the situation, which is best ex-
pressed in the reports that relations be-
tween President Taft and himself are
strained to the breaking point
William Loeb. jr.. Collector OF the Port
of New York: Lloyd c. Griscom. presi-
dent Of the New York Republican
County Committee; Representative Will
lam NJ. Calder, of Brooklyn; Frederick
j. H. Kracke. of Brooklyn and Repre-
sentative w w Cocks, of Mr. Roose-
velt's home district, took part in the
conference.
From what was said by some Of the
visitors it was learned that the ex-Presi-
dent and his friends have agreed on a
plan of action which will hold until the
situation defines itself more clearly.
Briefly state. it is this:
Roosevelt to Stand Aside.
Mr. Roosevelt is to stand aside in the
New York State campaign and let the
"old guard" fight its own fight, and thus
shoulder all the responsibility for the
conduct and result of the campaign He
is neither to indorse nor crtttcise the
Taft administration He is to keep out
all around if he can.
Through some of to-day's visitors it
was learned just why Mr. Roosevelt has
decided to keep his hands off He feels
that the Republican State Committee IN
refusing to indorse him for temporary
chairman of the Saratoga convention-a
place he had agreed to accept, much
against his will. with the knowledge that
ne would be held responsible for cleo
ton results-acted in a manner that
would make further activity on his part
look as if he were leading a factional
fight against the administration
1t was said that Mr. Roosevelt does
not deem it either wise or proper to per-
nit himself to become involved in such
a factionaI fight. and that his present
decision is that he will not go 10 the
convention take any part which would
render him responsible. He has come to
no definite conclusion. however
Will Defend His Policies.
One important proviso was emphasized
at to-day's conference. Those with
whom he talked were made TO under
stand clearly that Mr.. 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 which he is
the exponent are in serious Jeopardy.
But he let it be known that he would
do so with extreme reluctance, for he
feels that in such a contingency he
might be led inevitably into a contro-
versy with the Taft administration.
From what was said after the confer
ence it was gathered that Mr.. Roose-
Welt believes the present attitude Of men
who are influential in the national adj
ministration is hostile TO him. and that
an open rupture may result. In such
case he feels that he may be compelled
at some juncture TO exert his influence
against the administration.
Those who are closest TO the ex-Presi-
dent believe that he will do everything
in his power TO avert such crisis dur
ing the fall campaign
May Wait Until 1912
1t is their opinion that if he should
decide to fight. he prefers to postpone
the struggle until the campaign of 1917
when the question of the nations policy
for the next four years is to be brought
before the entire country and when q
successor to William H. Taft is TO be
elected.
Should such an issue between Mr.
Roosevelt and the administration present
itself at that time. IL is the firm belief
of the intimate associates OF the for
mer President that he will be in the
fight to the end that he will stake his
own future on the outcome and again
become a candidate for the Presidency
1t is believed. however, that Mr.
Roosevelt regards such a situation as a
remote contingency which is not to re-
ceive serious 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
ne is a candidate for no office. and that
ne can conceive OF no circumstances
which would lead him to accept the NOM
nation for Governor or seat IN the
United States Senate
His associates believe that the only
reason which might lead him TO consider
becoming a candidate for the Presiden-
tial nomination would be the conviction
-bat he must seek another term in order
successfully TO carry ON the work he be-
gan while President
Goes West on Tuesday.
The conference broke up late to-day
without any definite agreement as TO
when another will be held MIR. RooSe-
,aIt ia To start for the West on Tues
1av. and Mr. Griscom and Mr.. Loeb said
they did not expect To return To Saga
more Hill before that time. and probably
there will be no more long talks of this
nature until after Mr. Roosevelt returns
from the West
Most of the time to-day was spent in
of the New York situa-
lion. which is regarded as the one thing
that may develop in such a way as to
force Mr. Roosevelt to make the fight
within the party.
From an unquestioned source il is
known that he has taken deeply TO heart
what he considers to be the hostility OF
men close TO the administration. and he