New-York tribune., 1912-02-26
Issues Statement After Urgent
Request That He Declare
His Attitude as to Can
didacy for the
Presidency.
IS NOW "oUT IN THE OPEN"
Friends Are Highly Pleased, but State
ment Is Said to Have Created No
New Lines of Division Be-
tween His Candidacy
and That of Mr..
Taft.

ldIb.
Theodore Roosevelt's reply 10 the
Western Governors vas given out for
publication last night by his secretary.
Frank Harper The letter wss addressed
TO the list of seven Governors who on
February 10 wrote to Colonel Roosevelt
asking him to define his position.
His reply was definite acceptance Of
tile implied invitation to be a candidate
for the Presidency of the United States,
phrased in these words:
81 will accept the nomination for Presi.
dent il IL is, rendered to me, and | will
adhere to this decision until the eonven-
ton has expressed its preference
After saying that one OF the principles
for which ne stands is the genuine rule
of the people," Mr.. Roosevelt adds:
Therefore, hope that so far as pos
sble the people may be given the chance,
through direct primaries, TO express their
preference as to who shall be the nomi-
nee Of the Republican Presidential con-
| vcntion."
Mr. Roosevelt is away in Boston. but
| before he left here on Saturday It was
| announced that his reply to the letter Of
the Western Governors would be given
out at o'clock Sunday night. Promptly
at that hour his secretary, Mr.. Harper.
| arrived at the Office of The Outlook"
and handed out printed copies not only
| of Mr.. Roosevelt's reply, but of the letter
TO him from the Governors as we'll.
The seven Governors who sent the let
| ter Of inquiry to Mr.. Roosevelt met in
| Chicago a little more than two weeks
| ago, and after an exchange of views and
reports on the political situation in gen.
era and the Roosevelt sentiment in par
ticular drafted their letter to. Mr.. Roose-
welt which was dated February 10, and
| which urged him to declare himself as TO
whether he would accept the Republican
nomination if it came unsolicited and
unsought'
| Colonel Roosevelt considered their let
ter for two weeks. and all attempts In
| the meantime to get from him any state-
ment concerning what answer he in.
tended 10 give the Governors met with
the response that the matter was under
consideration.
In Cleveland last Wednesday night.
when he was returning from his visit to
Columbus, Ohio, where he addressed the
| Ohio Constitutional Convention. Mr..
Roosevelt gave the first public indica-
ton that he was contemplating reply
of acceptance TO the Governors. when
he told a friend
| my hat is In the ring-you will have
my answer Monday"
Mr.. Roosevelt's secretary had no CONS
ment, explanation or elaboration to
make On his chiefs statement
So far as could be learned here last
night the colonels statement created no
new lines of division as to his candidacy
as against that of President Taft. Those
who had previously announced their
preference for Mr.. Roosevelt were highly
pleased that he had made the statement.
bringing him "out into the OPEN" while
those who were for President Taft for
the most part believed that the Roose-
Welt statement would make no differences
in the sentiment for either man. The
| Roosevelt supporters generally however.
believed that the statement by the for
NOR President would bring TO his sup
nor, many persons throughout the coun-
,rv who have been unwilling to announce
themselves until they saw what position
Mr. Roosevelt himself would take.
From remarks made last night by some
Of Mr.. Roosevelt's supporters In TINS
CITY IL was evident that the. colonel had
shown his letter to quite number OF
his friends during the last few days.