New-York tribune., 1911-02-15
fl-rom The Tribune sureau.l

Washington February IL.
NO POLITICJAN.-Those whose mem
ories go back about nine years will recall
| tho pathetic lamentations Of Republican
politicians that the accession OF Theodore
Roosevelt TO the Presidency had left tn,
Republican party without leader, that thu
President was mo politician" that he had
not the first conception of the elementary
principles OF politics. etc, and the dire pre-
dictions regarding the fate Of the party in
the elections Of 1904. Some of the Wash
incton dispatches written at that time
could be clipped from the old files now. the
name OF faft substituted for that OF Roose-
welt, and If printed they would as accurate
" describe the views OF some Of the leaders
OF the party to-day as they did those Of the
leaders Of those days hose who listened
10 the fearful lament Of Representative Dai-
zell to-day learned the terror with which he
contemplated the tearing down OF the tariff
wall by the rank free trader in the White
House and the horror with which ne con-
tempIated his own party resorting 70 gag
rule" to carry out the dictates OF this con-
scienceless dictator In the White House and
were led, despite their tears, TO wonder IT,
In the final analysis, Mr. Taft would prove
as great success politically as ala MT
Roosevelt. And those who heard the Presi-
dent express his views and purposes WIN
regard 70 magazine postage, Canadian Teci-
procity and other public policies recog-
nizcd a somewhat striking similarity to
that fearlessness which characterized Presi'
cent Roosevelt when he was launching pol
icies which in time came to be among the
most popular OF his administration. MT
Taft has taken the bit In his teeth NO
presentation Of political considerations sp-
peals to him. and, In the opinion OF some
Of the leaders Of his party, he is determined
10 commit political suicide. Probably ne Is
himself by no means certain they are
wrong. But he has determined 10 earn
right to the graphic, II ungrammatical cpl
taph Of the late jeremiah Rusk. Mr.. Harri-
sons Secretary Of Agriculture. He seen his
duty and he done 1t" And. after all. is II
not a rash prediction that the American
people will not discern his singleness OF
purpose and approve Ut
THE PRESIDENTS VIEWS.-On two
points the President consented TO make
plain his position TO callers at the White
House to-day He was asked 10 elaborate
his statement, made yesterday before the
Pan-American Commercial Congress- that
he would favor tariff reciprocity with all
the world He said he thought he maze
that plain yesterday. He would favor such
reciprocity II II could he secured on terms
favorable TO the United States. or course,
he appreciated that his statement was
very broad one, but so had been that OF
Speaker-designate Clark. who had pre-
ceded him. When asked If reciprocity
agreements were made with all the world
how ne would propose 10 replace the reve-
nue. lost from abrogation OF the tariff. he
replied that he had said on terms favor
able 10 the United States. and If such
a agreements implied too large an alienation
Of revenue, OF course they would not be
favorable TO the United States Mr.. Taft
was also asked Just what he meant by his
assertion In Springfield that reciprocity
he was speaking OF the Canadian reel
procity agreement--would make for the
maintenance Of the protective policy He
q acknowledged that his attitude in this re-
spect was somewhat analogous to his at
titude toward the trusts. BY prosecuting