New-York tribune., 1912-02-27
iron The Tribune Bureau. !


TAFT IN THE RING. President Taft Is
in the ring. and he is there 20 stay TINS
fact he announced long ago. and while the
announcement Of ex-Prcsident Rooseven
tnat ne also has entered the ring is an oc-
cas,on Of regret to the President, who had
supposed that he would have TO deal only
with the Democrats-tne La Folette oppo-
eltlou being inconsequential-the coiohei
announcement viii make no difference
whatever IN Mr.. Tafts plans. He feels
that he is the responsible leader OF ms
party. AS the general I'm command OF the
Republican forces the rank and file or inc
marty look 10 him for leadership, ana ne
intends that they shall have that beneht,
irrespective Of VINO may take tho ne'u
against him Mr.. Taft is not boasting tha'
he will knock his opponent over the ropes
ro- Neat hin, TO a frazzIe, but he Is entirely
oonN1snt that he will be nominated ana
elected He knows that he has not chahseu
since he was elected President ana sih'o
Colonel Roosevelt described him IN such
Glowing terms. If others have chahgeu'
have either become infinitely more radlcai
or have seen NJ to espOuSe extreme raol-
calisu with the belief that such radicailsin
affords a certain road to success, 1t ls not
anv concern of the President lie has never
been Brvanite. or even Bryan Repuo'
lcar." sn6 he never could be. for his course
is dictated by convictions rather than ny
emotions or impressions. He is comment
that he faithfully represents all that -
best in Republicansm, and he has everE
confidence In the American people TO up
hold that which Is good and true.
THE Personal SIDE.-President Taft
does not attempt 10 conceal from his
friends his sorrow that Colonel Roosevelt
has adopted his present course. lie mas
| always be the stanchest defender OF ms
whilom friend and predecessor, visiting
| rrompt and severe condemnation on any
who suggested that Colonel Roosevelt was
actuated by any except the lofuest motives
but ne now realizes the futility Of seeking
10 impress on his friends such Views,
whatever may he his personal opinions
! Many who entertain warm regard anu
! high respect for President Taft Will view
/ Colonel Roosevelt's course as treacherous
| and as aCtuated ny overwhelming ambition.
and Mr.. Taft has been robbed by Colonel
Roosevelt himself Of the arguments with
/
friend from such charges
INSURGENTS DISAPPO1NTED.-Eve
the pro Roosevelt men arc disappointed at
his statement. They had looked for some,
at least superficially, convincing arguments
setting forth the reasons which actuated
Colonel Roosevelt's present stand and eX-
planning the situation which, in his estIms-
! u nd bar
fear that his bald statement will not serve
to arouse the enthusiasm on which they
had counted in their efforts TO defeat Presi-
dent Taft Numerous members Of Congress
arc distressed because their sole interest
is to te on the winning side, and they are
far from certain which will be the winning
side. The stanch Taft men, however, are
! rejoiced because they believe that Colonel
Roosevelt killed his chances Of gaining the
nomination by his Columbus speech, and
they are convinced that, now his campaign
is robbed Of the mantle Of secrecy, his sun
| porters Will steadily fall away. Rarely has
there been a political situation at the capt
tal which was attended by greater uncer-
tainty and reluctance On the part Of mem
/ bers "a commit themselves. Even some
men who have been counted as stoutly
anti-Taft fear 10 go the length of sup
| porting Colonel Roosevelt since his Column
| bus pronunclamento. Some politicians who
would like to support Colonel Roosevelt are
on record in such stout opposition 10 his
views as expressed at Columbus that they
dare not espouse his cause. This notably
! true Of Senator Lodge.
LODGES PREDICAMENT. - Senator
| Lodge was driven almost to desperation to-
Gay when Senator Williams secured the
/ insertion in the Record Of the words Of his
| speech as permanent chairman Of the last
national convention, where he said OF
Colonel Roosevelt: His refusal Of a re-
nomination. dictated by the loftest motives