The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-08-19
WAR is DECLARED
Taft and Roosevelt Reach Part.
ing of the Ways.
HOstilities Are Likely to Open
at Any Time.
AN ARMED TRUCE NOW
Which May Last Until After the
Fall Elections.
Little Doubt That Colonel Will
Run for President.

Oyster Bay, Aug. 19-Theodore Roose-
welt spent Thursday in what was pro-
hably 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 strajreS to the break
irg point William Loeb. Jr.. collector
com, chairman of the New York Re-
publican committees Representative
William M. Calder of Brooklyn. Fred
erick ]. H. Kracke of Brooklyn and
Representative w. w. Cocks of Colonel
Roosevelts home district took part in
the conference.
From what was said by some of the
visitors it was learned that the colonel
and his friends have agreed on a plan
of action which will hold until the sit
uation shapes itself more clearly.
Briefly stated it is this:
Colonel 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 criticise
the Taft administration. He is to keep
out all around if he can.
Through some of the visitors it was
learned why the colonel has decided to
keep his hands off, He feels that the
Republican state convention in refus-
ing to indorse him for temporary chair
man of the Saratoga convention, po-
sition he mad agreed to accept much
against his will with the knowledge that
he would be neld responsible for elec-
tion results-acted in a manner that
would make further activity on his part
look as if he -~- leadine factional
fight against the administration.
1t was said that Colonel Roosevelt
does not deem it either wise or proper
to permit himself to become involved in
such factionai fight and that his pres
ent decision is that he will not go to
the convention or take any part which
would render him responsible. He has
| come to n definite conclusion, however
One important provision Ssas emphariz-
! ed at the conference. Those with whom
he talked were made 20 understand
| clearly that Col. Roosevelt reserves to
| himself the right to. eslter-tf1e thick Of
| the fight. at any Sirne, # he believes that
| the policies of avhich he is an exponent
are in jeopardy but he let it be known
that he would do so with much reluct-
ance for he feel that in such a con-
tingency he might be led inevitably into
controversy with the Taft admins
tration.
War May Open Any Time.
| From what was said after the con-
ference it was gathered that Colonel
Roosevelt believes the present attitude
| of men who are influential in the ma
tional administration is hostile to him
and that an open rupture may result.
In such case the colonel feels that
| he may be compelled at some juno
| ture to exert his influence against the
administration. Those who are clos
est to the colonel believe that he will
| do everything in his power to avert
such a crisis during the fall campaign.
1t is their opinion that if he should
decide to fight he prefers to postpone
the struggle until the 1912 campaign,
when the question of the nations pol
| icy for the next four years is to be
| brought before the country and when
! a successor to w. H. Taft is to be
elected.
Should such an issue between
| Roosevelt and the administration pre-
sent itself at that time it is the be-
| lief of the colonePs intimate. associ-
ates that he will be in the fight to
the end-that he will stake his own
future on the outcome and again be-
come a candidate for the presidency
1t is believed, however, that Colonel
Roosevelt regards such situation as
a remote contingency which is not to
receive serious attention at the pres
| ent time.
He has said repeatedly that he can
| form no plans for the future, for the
situation may be changed at any time.
He has told his friends that he is a
candidate for no office and that he
can conceive of circumstances
which would lead him to accept the
| gubernatorial nomination or a seat in
the United States senate.
May Enter 1912 Race.
His associates believe the only rea-
son which might lead him to consider
becoming a candidate for the presi-
Dental nomination would be a convic-
tion that he must seek another term
/ in order to successfully carry on the
work he began while president.
/ The conference broke up without
I any definite agreement as to when
another will be held. Colonel Roose-
velt is to start for the west on Tues
day and probably there will be no
more consultations of this nature un-
til after he returns. Most of the time
was given to the consideration of the
New York situation, which is regard
in Euch a gay as to force Colonel
Roosevelt to make the fight within the
party.
From an unquestioned source 1t is
known that he has taken deeply to
heart what he considers to be the
hostility of men close to the admin
istration and he regards the selection
of Vice President Sherman for. the
temporary chairmanship of the Re-
, publican state convention as the result
of this attitude.
II He recalled to his visitors that he
had spoken no word of criticism of
the administration and made them
understand that it was his plan not
to do so, adding that ne would con-
fine himself solely to the policy of af-
firmation of the doctrines which he
considers to be to the best interests of
the nation, looking to the future and
not to the past.
; Colonel Roosevelt himself said he
was not talking politics for publica-
ton when attempts were made after
. L