The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-11-27
FLAT DENIAL is
REPEATED AGAIN
Through His Newspaper Mouth
piece Ex-President Says That
Taft Has No Claim OH Him,
and That He Is Not Seek
ing Another Term in
Washington.
Especial TO The rimos-Dispatch.I


torially the North American win say
Tomorrow:
Theodore Roosevelts recent cdito-
rial In tho Outlook upon the trust
question has led to deductions SO false
and to political discussions SO un-
fortunate that II seems cspcdicnt for
an accurate and authoritative utatc-
Incnt to be made regarding his posi-
ton. particularly toward the can,paiuu
OF 1917 Such statement can be-
made better perhaps by the North
american than by any other agency.
Junt ono year ago Colonel Roose-
welt conhdcd to this newspaper his
views touching tho use of his name
as receptive candidate for the Re-
publican nomination, and his firm pur
pose In relation thereto. There wcr.
ample reasons for his expressions.
Eyer since his return from abroad
mere had been growth In public in
terest regarding his attitude toward
the president. At that time influential
Eastern papers were proclaiuiing tina
colonel Roosevelt was actually pIndrc5
10 support Mr.. Taft for denomination
ana were intimating that news of thjs
ARRANGEMENT cmanated from the Whitn
iouso Itself. Many national leaders
accepted these statements as facts In
doraelncnt OF the Taft administration
In The New York Republican platform
was nailed as proof that Roosevelt was
committed to the Taft candidacy.
Disroscs OF Rumors
II was this assertion which o,olorc,A
Roosevelt disposed OF In his confidence
10 the North American: and. az sur
Scstions of his own candidacy natural
iy followed, ho disposed OF them also.
lie declared most cmpha tically tl,:r,
lie mad not pledged his support to NJ
iaft, privately or publicly. in set
torins, or even by Implication, Dc,
ciared he would not support any man
Tor the nomination in 1912. either Nj.
TAFT or any one else. AS to n ststo
ment tina, tho President believed II.
WOULD have Eoosevclts support c,,
onel Roosevelt said that Mr. Taft could
not possibly believe anything of tho
kind; that in fact MIR. TAFT knew tina,
ne had 10 such assurance and that
neither Mr.. TAFT nor any ono else had
ono particle OF ground for such opinion.
AS TO the persistent suggestions
that he had dcsisns upon the NOM,
nation himself, Colonel Roosevelt was
equally Semphntic and explicit All
that time and on subsequent occasions
more ban once in our presence Col
oncl Roosevelt received tenders ori
support from mon of wide political
influence who will control delegates
In the convention Some of these men
were Progressires, others were Near"
Progressivcs, several were of rcac-
tfonary synpathics. To each and
every such proposal Colonel Roosevelt
replied substantially MS stated above
and added with equal emphasis and
dorceful sincerity that lie was not in
Inc remotest sense candidate for the
nomination. and that he declined and
deplored all suggestions as were be-
Ing madc to him.
He went further. To those who had
had close relations with him he said
in effect; II you arc a true friend OF
mine YOU Will drop this Soncc and for
all; you Will not only quit IT yourself,
put you VIII discourage your friends
and do all you can to stop this futile
talk. You Will believe What have
said so often. that ] am not can
didate and earnestly desire that all
such suggestions should cease
Says II Many Times.
Colonel Roosevelt said substantial
dy this net onco. hut many times. apI.
as stated, OIL several occasions In our
presence.
BY sheer persistence he succeeded
In auellins tho unfortunate activity
OF those who for ono reason or an
other were trying to mako him a
prominent figure In the 1912 discus
sion.' But few days ago the talk
was revived In a new and curious way
'1N.'N ~ SSh We iouIu colonel Roosevelt
greatly amused and perhaps n littls
puzzled by the commotion stirred M
over his article in the Outlook. lie
had reason to be astonished FIRST, Tia,
mere reiteration Of his views as OK
pressed In many messages aud
speeches, to be eAccrated by big busi.
ness should now be accepted as a way
of deliverance from troubles lie lad
predicted and tried to provide against:
second, that men who would not ln-
derstand him before now took his
words at their true meaning--Ilot be-
cause of any admiration OF him, but
because of disgust with tho course of
President Taft, and third, that his re.
petition OF his we'll known views
with not single new suggestion or
wavering from his formnr position.
should revive discussion OF his own
candidacy and be regarded rs n sub
tic bid for tho support OF big bust
pess in that suggestions ambition.
Those who have been In close
touch with Colonel Roosevelt Since tho
publication of his article have like
wise been surprised, not> only at tho
extent of tho sentiment for him. but
at It's manifestation In circles that a
few months ago were bitterly hostile
to Roosevelt, or at least strongly pro-
TAFT.
ITO set at rort these. basciess no
kcontinued on seecs--I. Page. -
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