The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-02-26
TAFT IS UNDIsTURBED.
Tic Has Forfy-Four Instructed Dele
gates as starter

lie Has Forty-Four Instructed Dele
gates as a Starter.
Washington Feb. 26.-Newspapers and
tne Orlces of Washington correspon-
dents were besieged last night With
personal and telephone calls from poll
ucIans and sta tesmen asking what Col
Roosevelt had to say
In the -4st of anxious callers we're sew
eral Roose .elt boomers who had recent
ly called on the former president and
TO whom it was supposed advance in
formation of his intentions had been
given. It was evident that few were
prepared for the crisp, unequivocal
statement from the colonel that he VAS
a candidate for the Republican norni-
nation
President Taft was given COPY Of
ms predecessors letter but lie would
make no comment White House Off
Gals also were reticent bur tnev made
no attempt to disguise their interest
ne TAFT campaign bureau was dark
director -dchlnleN having left Wash
lnston at noon for Chicago
The ONLY remark emanatine from TIE
president during the day that at an
core upon the political situation w
made TO senator VINO asked that mis-
name be not used. 1t was this:
1 know We are right and I an, co>7-
hdent We Will be successful
II has been only in the last fortnie1.
that President Taft has been willing 70
ADMIT 70 his closest friends that he be-
iA0OoCRSiL WOni0
the race against him for the non7in.l
ton. 1t is doubted whether IN to the
last minute he was fully Convinced that
any announcement coming from his
attached. -
Fight From Now on.
That President Taft was deeply hurt
70 Know that from now on he must
engage IN an open contest against the
man under whom ne had served fO-
The Roose zalt letter was made nnbIi,
ne relations between Colonel Rooss-
welt and Mr. Taft when the latter sew
60 as secretary of war We're exception
any close For months President Taft
refused to believe that Colonel Rooee-
welt would oppose him for a renomina-
ton and that he was convinced +i7a
coionei Wouh turn a deaf ear to an
urging that he himself become a can
1luate was known to all Mr. Taft-s
friends These friends have pointed or
mat Secretary OF War Stimson u-to
ran Tor governor Of New York win
Mr. Roose 1t as his most conspicuous
packer and also Secretary of the Nav
Meyer. who was in the Roosevelt cabi
net, We're IN the Taft official family
II has been a matter of Comment ~. -
secretaries Stimson and Meyer have been
~ squenJ visitors to Colonel RooseVeltrs
offices in New York or his home ~
oyster Bay These visitors were accented
as proof that Taft and Roosex-el+ x-ere
not wholly estranged- There is a ,rrss+
zeal Of speculation here as to the probabIe
attitude OF these membebrs of the ca binet
II their support is given to Colonel Roose-
Velt their designations may be expected |
50 Tar as Secretary Stimson is Concern I
I'd. It IS known that he entered the TAFT |
"a pinent unhampered as to future uoliticaI !
activity. Colonel Roosevelt is one Of t5s
men he is known to have consulted before
he accepted the war portfolio and IL is |
said upon unquestioned authority that he !
stipulated he should not be expected to |
10 campaign work. Yet he has accepted |
an invitation to speak In Chicago on |
March at the Taft club meeting
Only as recently as last Friday Score /
-ary Meyer met rumor that he was
about TO resign with this statement
IF remain In the cabinet, is I intend /
20 do. it is quite evident that nv LOYALTY
Mil be with my chief
To Be No Third Party.
Many who inquired as to the phrase