Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1912-01-03
TAFT IS IN
FIGHT TO STAY
Nothing But Death Will Keep
His Name from Chicago
Convention
ACTIVE CAMPAIGN IS NOW ON
Will Not Break With Roosevelt,
but Will Not Get Out of
His Way.
(By Special Leased Wire to New Mexican)

(By Special Leased Wire to New Mexican)
Washington, D. c., Jan. 3.-"Nothing
but death can keep me out of the fight
now," President Taft is reported to
have made this statement to White
House callers today and to have add
ed that he had no objection to the
statement being made public.
1t undoubtedly was intended to set
at rest all reports that Mr.. Taft might
withdraw from the race for the Re-
publican nomination for President in
favor of Colonel Roosevelt.
The President is said to be thor
oughly aroused to the gravity of the
situation in the Republican party and
determined to let his attitude be gen
orally understood. He has declared
that under no circumstances will he
withdraw his name from consideration
by the Chicago convention next June
and has asserted that his position
with respect to the nomination has
not changed in any particular since
he first entered the White House.
Will Let Convention Decide.
Mr. Taft has told friends and party
leaders from the first that if he should
be called upon to stand for reelection
he would be glad to do so: that he
felt under obligation to the party for
having made him President, and was
willing to abide its decision in the
convention. He adheres to this posi-
tion according to announcements to-
day and will not quit the race until
the nominating ballots are cast at Chi
cago.
Active Campaign On.
The President was urged by num-
Der of his closest friends to make a
definite statement as to his position
and agreed to do so in the language
quoted above. With this statement
as their inspiration, it is said the Taft
supporters will at once begin an ac
tive campaign in his behalf.
viii Not Break With Roosevelt.
! 1t was said today that some tf Mr.
Taft's friends have gone sc far lately
as to advise him openly to break with
Colonel Roosevelt aid to challenge
the latter to make plain his intentions
The President has declined to do this
The White House has been fairly flood
ed with callers lately who have
brought word to President Taft that
/ Colonel Roosevelt has declined to say
that he would not accept the nomina
ton if it were rendered to him.
Smoking Out Roosevelt.
! 1t has been reported to the White
House that Colonel Roosevelt be.
lieves an organized effort is being
made to "smoke him OUT and that he
declines to be smoked either by the
Taft or LaFollette forces.
Taft Sent no Messengers.
I The President has listened to all of
those reports with an indulgent smile
but has refused to indicate whether
| he believed them. 1t is vehemently
denied at the White House, however
that Mr.. Taft has sent any "messeng.
ers" to Mr.. Roosevelt ION any sub.
| ject whatever"
The President has been urged for
weeks to make a more aggressive
campaign in his own behalf. He has
replied that he did not think polite.
al activity comported with Presiden.
| tial dignity. He now has consented
to his friends carrying forward the
fight as vigorously as they desire ant
he will lend what assistance he prop
erly can.