The Sentinel=record., 1912-02-27
ROOSEVELT
 OPENS FIGHT
SAYS HE WILL MAKE THE RACE FOR A PRINCIPLE AND NOT
 UPON PERSONALITIES.
Says Third Term Means Third Con secutive Term in office--Favors Limited Recall of Judi.
 cial Decisions.

Boston. Feb. 26.--Colonel Roosevelt plunged into the thick. of the fign for the presidential nomination today He said unequivocally he was in tho fight to the end and was glad of it He replied. to the charge that ht would be breaking his third term pledge If he accepted another nomina ton, by saying he then meant a third consecutive term" and assert cd that whether he should be the choice of his party at the Chicago convention he would abide by its de. cision.
 q am perfectly happy now" said he, because I am making a straight out fight for principle. The issue is in no way a personal one"
 DO you intend to support the re- publican nominee, whoever he may he?r he was asked.
 "Of course shall" he replied, with emrhasis.
 Iii response to inquiries as to the principle for which he is fighting. Colonel Roosevelt referred question: CTS to hls speeches In Columbus, Ohio last week and before the Massachu setts house today. In his address to- day he defended his proposal for linn tied recall of judicial decisions and championed the right of popular opin- ion to control the machinery of the government.
 Colonel Rooseyelt's position in re- gard to the third term was explain ed to number of his callers today
 My position is perfectly simple he said. "f stated 1t as clearly as conld in 1904 and reiterated 1t in 1907. said that I would not accept s1omination for q third term, under any circumstances. meaning. of course, third consecutive term.
 T could not have said less at the time, nor could have said more. Of course, could not then know whether or not there would be a demand for me to accept nomination at some future time. And, believing as l do that the selection of candidates for the presidency rests entirely with the people, I could not say that at no time in my life would accept an other nqmination.
 Tt must be clear to any reasonable mG.a that the precedent which forbids of the third term has reference only 10 a third consecutive term It grew out of the fact that president ot the United States under the present convention system Of electing dele gates, can, if he knows how to use the machinery at his disposal, re-nom mate himself. even though the major ity of his party is against him. Bu' after he has been out of office for { term, he has lost control Of that ma chinery. He is in the position of any private citizen. The machinery i' then in the hands of the msa occu pying the office of president
 Colonel Roosevelt devoted larg' part Of the day to conferring witt men who are forming the Rooseyel  organization in Massachusetts.
 He told them he would not idehtif. bimself actively at the present wit the organization. He talked for som time with Governor Robert Bass o New Hampshire, whom he is to mee again tomorrow.
 Colonel Roosevelt promised toda to send a letter to he read at
 Roosevelt rally, which will be hel here Saturday night by the progress i've republican league. Governo Stubbs of Kansas, ex-Governor FoI of New Jersey. and Senator Clapp Minnesota are expected to speak.