The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1910-04-15
FOLLY IN THE STORY
"BACK FROM ELBA" YARN DIS.
CREDITED AT CAPITAL.
II Is Not Believed in Washington That
the Rough Rider Will Seek to OBJ
tain the Presidential Nomination in
1912; European Correspondents
Have Taken Foundation From IN
der the Tale.

Washington, April l3.-Discredit li;lv-
ing met the story that Theodore Roose-
welt has broken his bond of friendship
with William II. Taft. it is the prevail
ent Washington belief that the back
from Elba" prophecies before long
will be dshonored in the land of their
making.
If in the end it shall he shown that
President Taft is unable to secrre
from congress any of the Legislation
that the people have asked and that
whatever his motives may have been
his methods have proved Unequal to
the occa sion. it is perfectly conceivable
that in response TO an absolute com
inand from his party Colonel Roosevelt
might answer the call and enter the
field once more as a candidate for the
presidency.
The back from Elba' prophecy has
had for it's basis, however, the weak
fabric of assumption that the returning
hunter intends instantly on his arri-
IL III 1h"SiiNd W SdtuSl Hio
friends and to let them know that
while personally he can take no active
part in the movement they may go
ahead in the work of arousing the
necessary sentiment to secure his nom
nation. Washington in the main puts
the prophecy and the story down as
buncombe.
Candidacy Question Is Raised
The story cabled from Europe some
days ago to the effect that Mr.. Roosc
welt had broken with Mr.. Taft was
commented on yesterday III these dis
patches from the point of view taken
IN Washington by many men who were
close personal friends OF Theodore
Roosevelt, and who knew of the strength
of Ills confidence in the ultimate sue
cess OF William II. Taft as progress
sNe president.
In tile European correspondence which
was responsible for the statement of
the break in the Roosevelt Taft friend
ship occurred these words:
Incidentally this myth long current
in the United States has received its
quietus from Roosevelt. The state
n,eHt has been assiduous}y circulated
that under no circumstances would
Roosevelt permit his name to he
used as rival to Taft, whom it
was claimed he regarded as his closest
friend and potege and entitled to a
second term"
Indirectly, but none the less con,in-
cingly, Colonel Roosevelt himself has
given q .'quietus" to the story of his
having cut the friendship ties which
bound him TO Taft. 1t may be that
before LONG quietus also will be given
to the Inference which apparently it is
meant that the American people shall
draw from the: last quoted words of
the European dispatch.
Relations With Taft Analysed.
Ii the demand should be made for
Theodore Roosevelt again to become
a candidate for the presidency of the
United States there would be no rival
i'm the field. If President Taft succeeds,
as he is trying to succeed, in securing
progressive legislation, he will receive
the outspoken sympathy and support
of Theodore Roosevelt.
Mr.. Roosevelt wanted progressive
legislation, and he thought and said
that Mr.. Taft was the man to give
it to the country. If what the colonel
said and believed proves to be true,
it is hardly possible he would be willing
to enter the field as candidate in ri
valry of the man for whom he had
vouched and who had proved that the
Recommended ton was deserved. E