Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1910-08-19
LET OLD GUARD
CONDUCT ITS
OWN FIGHT
ROOSEVELT DECIDES
TO REMAIN NEUTRAL
viii Not Enter New York Strug-
gle Unless Dragged ini Re-
serves His Energies for the
Presidential Campaign.

| PRESIDENTIAL Campaign,
J tby Morning Journal Special Lsasss wirel
! oyster Bay, Aug. lS.-Theodore
| Roosevelt spent today In what was
, probably the most important political
| conference he has had since he left
the white house. He gathered about
him group of his close friends and
talked over with them the situation
which Is best expressed in the reports
that relations between President Taft
and himself are strained TO the break
ing point
William Loeb, Jr- collector Of the
port Of New York; Lloyd G. Griscom,
chairman OF the New York republican
county committee. William y. calder
OF Brooklyn; Frederick J. II Kracke
OF Brooklyn aud Representative w. w.
Cocks of Colonel Roosevelts home
district, took part in the conference.
From what was said by some Of the
visitors, il was learned that the colo
mel and his friends have agreed on a
plan OF action which will hold until
the situation shapes itself more
clearly.
Briefly stated. 1t is this
Colonel Roosevelt Is to stand aside
in the New York state campaign and
let the old guard" fight its own bat
tie and thus shoulder all the respon-
sibility for the conduct and result of
the campaign. He is neither to in
dorse or criticise the Taft admlnistra-
tion. He is to keep out all around If
he can.
Through some of todays visitors It
was learned why the colonel had de-
cided to keep his hands off He feels
that the republican state committe
in refusing to indorse him for tempo-
rary chairman of the Saratoga CON
Nention--a position he had agreed to
accept, much against his will, with
the knowledge that he would be better
responsible for election results-acted
in manner that would make further
activity on his part look as u he was
leading a factional fight against the
administration.
1t was said that the colonel does not
deem 1t either wise or proper 10 per-
NIT himself to become involved in
such a factional fight and that his
present decision is that he viii not go
to the convention or take any part
which would render him responsible.
He has come To no definite conclus-
ion, however.
one important provision was em- !
phasi2ed at today's conference. Those |
Win Nuoin ne ldlhtu were iltdut TO /
clearly that Colonel Roose- |
welt reserved himself the right to en-
ter the thick OF the fight at any time |
IL he believes that the policies of |
which he is the exponent are in jeop- |
nrdy,
But he let il be known that he
would do so with much reluctance,
for he feels that In such contin-
gency he might be led inevitable into
4 controversy with the Taft adminis-
-ration. From what was said after
he conference, IL was gathered that
Colonel Roosevelt believes the present
attitude of men who are influential in
he national administration is hostile
o him and that an open rupture may
'esut. In such case the colonel feels
hat he may be compelled at some
uncture to exert his influence against
he administration.
Those who are closest to the colo
iel believe he will do everything In
lis power to avert such crisis dur
ng the fan campaign 1t is their
opinion that II he should decide to
light he prefers 10 postpone the strug-
lie until the 1912 campaign when the
question Of the nations policy for the
lext -four years Is to be brought he
ore the country and when a success
or to William n. TAFT is 10 be Sc
acted.
should such an issne between Colo
el Roosevelt and the administration
resent itself at that time. il is the
elief Of the coloners intimate asso-
iates that he would be in the fight !
o the end--that he Will stake his
wn future on the outcome and again
ecome "A candidate for the presi-
oncy. It is believed, however, that
olonel Roosevelt regards such a con-
Give serious attention at the present
mo.
He has said repeatedly that he can
)rm no plans for the future. for the
tuation may be changed at any time.
IT, has told his friends that he is a
lndidate for no office and that he
m conceive OF no circumstance which J
ould lead him to accept the guber-
atorial nomination OF a seat in the =
nited States senate.
His associates believe the only rea- {
,n which might lead him TO consider {
aing a candidate for the presidential
lmination would be the conviction 5
lat he must seek another term I'm a
der 10 successfully carry on the [
ork he began while president. Z
The conference broke up late to- G.
~ without any definite agreement a
20 when another will be held colo "
j Roosevelt Is to start for the west
Tuesday and probably there will p
no more consultations OF this ma
re- until after he returns
Most Of the time today was given
the consideration Of tho New York
uation which was regarded as the
e thing which may develop in such
WAY as 10 force Colonel Roosevelt M
make fight within the party. W
From an unqucstioned surce ID Is n
.own that he has taken deeply 10 "
art what he considers TO be the hos r.
ity of men close 10 the administra- N
N and he regards the selection of h
ce-president sherman for the tenn b.
rary chairmanship Of the republican pi
tie convention as the result OF this
itude.
Tie stated 10 visitors that he had
oxen no word Of criticism Of the adj nf
nistration and made them under G.
nd that ID was his plan not to do ce
adding that he would confine him III
z solely to a policy Of affirmation pT
the doctrines which he considers I'll
be the best interests Of the nation. a