The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-08-25
He Says He Has Been Drawn Into the Fight and Will
 Stick It Out
STAND TAKEN FOR CLEAN
 AND HONEST POLITICS
tor Davenport Is the First Step In the Fight Which Promises
 to Be Bitter

Utica, N. Y., August 24-Theodore Roosevelt served notice today that he would wage war without quarter on the 'old guard" of the republican party. in New York state. Having been drawn into the fight, as he says, against his will, he has determined to pursue 1t to the end, win or lose
 MT. Roosevelt's attitude was indicated more clearly than at any time before by a statement which he issued today. The statement follows:
 'sThey will have all the fight they want. I am only going to the convention be- cause I feel the public interests, the in terests of the people of New York, de- mand the republican party be given chance to stand squarely and uncompro- misingly for clean, decent, honest poli- tics.
 q will go to that convention to make the speech exactly as it had been planned originally and while I hope there will be enough good sense to prevent any one op- posing the principles for which I shall stand, yet if they do oppose them, then 1t Is their own affair and so far as I am concerned the issue shall be absolutely clean cut.''
 The colonel said he was going into the fight with his eyes open, and with full realization of the fact that he might not be successful. He said he felt that, on account of the attitude of members of the organization. he was at perfect liberty to carry on uncompromising warfare. Some of Colonel Roosevelt's closest friends in the state have told him they were doubtful as to the outcome and he has replied that he himself felt that even though he should be successful in the state convention at Saratoga, and such a platform as he desired should be adopted, the result of the election would be In grave doubt. The colonel has told his friends that he did not feel sure that the Roosevelt-Hughes forces would receive unquaifie support from the organization at the polls
 Colonel Roosevelt's indorsement of State Senator Frederick Davenport yesterday was the first step in the fight which he expects to carry from now until cleo ton time. He decided today to go to the state fair in Syracuse on September IT to speak and at that time may talk poli- ties.
 He probably will make number of oth CT speeches, both before and after the state convention.
 Vice President Sherman, who Is one of the central figures Tn the struggle and whom Colonel Roosevelt opposed by his Endorsement of Senator Davenport, said emphatically tonight he would not talk about the situation. MT. Sherman has haa int a day and tonight he said positively he would have no statement to make at any time, so far as he could see at present.
 Colonel Roosevelt spent the day with his brother-in-law, Douglas Robinson, at his country home 20 miles east of Utica. Late tonight he went to Herkimer by automobile. and came to Utica by train to resume his westward trip.
 Senator Davenport called on Roosevelt today to talk over the political situation in this district. Colonel Roosevelt was not willing to say what conclusion they reached
 Barnes Is Aggressive
 New York, August 2A-Colonel Roose- velt's stStsEpQnf &hat if the 'old guard" desires 4 ssthey will have all the light thSS 1nt." found William J. Barnes. HI ef Albany in an aggressive attitude t6GI4t MT. Barnes will meet ChairnQ ruff here tomorrow, and 70 overn1 0f campaign by which they hope t61 -LT UL the coming primaries
 Colonl1 <tevelts statement was shown 0Aes at the Republican club tonighf ter reading 1t carefully, he
 ''The it's of direct nominations, after En >4bt they have been through, will no< 0ke the principles for which they 61< Sen fighting at the dictation of an md it looks as if they have to ho& Might"
 Cou Girman Griscom indicated to eallefS f today that there was noth- ing in the report of a compromise by which Vice President sherman would be made temporary chairman of the state convention ard Colonel Roosevelt would be chosen permanent chairman. MT. Griscoms position Is that the members of the "old guard" now controlling the party in the state must go.