The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-03-04
7. R. EXPLAINS IT
Tells How He Happened to
Get Into the Race.
Did Not Want to Be a Candi-
date, He Says.
WAS FORCED into THE FIGHT
The Insurgents Needed a Lead
er and Claimed Him.
Believes He Could Win on a
Popular Vote.
WAS FORCED into THE FIGHT

Oyster Bay, n. Y, March 4.-Col-
oneI Roosevelts own views of the po-
ntical situation and his reasons for
entering the campaign were explained
by him today.
As he trudged along the country
road from Oyster Bay village to Sag
amore Hill on his way home from
church, the former president talked
freely Of his prospects and briefly
stated that his reason for entering into
q political campaign as an active can
didate was that men who share his
political beliefs convinced him they
needed an effective leader.
AS to the prospects of victory, Col
onel Roosevelt expressed the opinion
that on a popular vote he would be
the choice of his party by a big ma
jority How far this result might be
modified by the interposition of the
machinery of politics, he was unable
to say.
Colonel Roosevelt said he supposed
a great many persons would not be-
lieve it. but that he had not wished to
enter the fight.
80 far as a personal victory is
concerned. 1 don't care" he declared.
In 1904, he said, his position was
different. He was DESTROYS of the
nomination, because he wished the
peoples seal of approval In taking
up the fight this year, however, he
was opposing his personal inclina-
lions. Many supporters had come to
him and represented that they need
ed a leader, and that there was a
widespread demand that he assume
the responsibility. 1t was in response
to these representations. the colonel
added, that he had determined to ac-
cept the leadership.
Colonel Roosevelt's assertion that
he believed large majority of Repub-
noan voters favored him was made
nh, h..
of a canvass in different sections of
the country showing an alleged ratio
of two to one for Roosevelt. The col
onel said he thought that about repre-
sented the situation.
Claims Popular Vote.
In all but four or five states, in
Guiding Delaware and Utah, Colonel
Roosevelt said he believed he would
receive majority on a popular vote
He added that he felt confident he
would have a majority of the Penn
sylvania delegation to the national
cow entfon. He was told that the test
vote in New England has given him
an alleged slight lead over President
Taft and he said that he was not at
all surprised at that.
1t is three miles from Sycamore
Hill to the church which Colonel
Roosevelt attends and he walked both
ways with long, rapid stride which
was almost too much for the less
hardy persons who tried to keep up
with him.
When he reached home he turned
to things political.
Former Senator Albert ]. Bever-
idge of Indiana had come to OYSTER
Say to go over the Indiana situation
with the colonel and former Congress
man Fred Lands. Amos Pinchot of
New York, brother of Clifford Pin
chot; John Bass, brother of Cover
nor Bass of New Hampshire; 3enja-
University of California, and Lieut..
John c. Greenway of Bisbee, Ariz.,
an old friend of the colonel in the
Rough Riders" were the other
Colonel Roosevelt said that Indiana
was the weakest of the western states.
from the viewpoint of the Roosevelt
FORCES. If the issue could be nut to
popular vote. he said he believed a
majority or the enrolled Republicans
would favor his cause, but as there
was no primary system in Indiana as
TO presidential nominees, the result
was in doubt.
Dispute Over Governors.
Washington, March 4.-The national
Roosevelt headquarters has made pub
lie a statement disputing a claim of the
national Taft bureau that President
has the support of Governor Hooper, of
Tennessee, Governor Oddie, of Nevada,
and Governor Deneen, of Illinois.
The Taft bureau q few days ago
made public kilograms of Endorsement
from nine Republican governors, in
GLIDING kilograms from Governor
Hooper and Governor Oddie. No tele-
gram had been received from Governor
Deneen. but the managers of the Taft
bureau claimed his support.
In connection with the statement the
Roosevelt headquarters gave out copies
of kilograms from Governors Hooper