The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1912-01-06
COL. ROOSEVELT
N RECEPTIVE
ATTITUDE now
Position Is Causing Serious
Alarm Among Managers
of i, s. a.: Campaign
ADMINISTRATION BEL!HuEsS<sS:,:
WILL NOT FINALLY OEC6n.
Friends of President Point Out How
Easily the Colonel Could Set Him.
self Out of the Race Without MAX.
ing Statement.

Ing Statement.
Washington. Jan. 6.-Thrae facts
combined here today to lend signifi-
cant support to the persistent reports
heard during the past few days that
Col. Roosevelt had adopted a recep-
tive attitude with regard to the Re-
publicant nomination for the presi-
dency.
AS a result this afternoon, WASH
ington was in fever state Of per-
turbation. and particularly was the
excitement noticeable at the white
house.
The first incident today was the
discovery that Secretary Hilles, po-
litical mentor Of, the administration,
had disappeared over night. 1t was
said on authority that he had gone
to t., New York for political conferences
The white house staff professed ig-
norance as to his whereabouts.
Then President Taft sent over word
from the white house that he would
receive no callers today and would
remain in the library Of the white
house. The regular cabinet meeting.
set for Friday after postponement
ten days ago was called off by the
presidents order.
A story that a personal friend Of
the president had brought word with
newly adopted attitude Of Col. Roose-
velt went undenied at the white
house today.
The Roosevelt shadow fell athwart
the white house and correspondents
encountered an absolute silence. Sec
retary Hilles was away and Assistant
Secretary Forster was closeted with
the president. None of the other
members Of the white house staff
dent or the Roosevelt report.
Hilles to See Barnard.
It leaked out. however. that Hilles
New York last night with Otto T.
Barnard, the Republican mayoralty
candidate at New York in the last
election. and a Taft supporter, who
has been weekand.. guest at the
white house. -..'-'...- ......':F -
The inference POLITICIANS here drew
from this fact was that Barnard
brought word Of impending events
that might change the. political plans
OF the Taft campaign managers.
According to the story that has so
ident Taft has recently received sdi-
rect and authoritative information
that there will be no declaration by
Col. Roosevelt to the effect that "un-
der no circumstances" will he accept
another nomination for the presiden-
cy.
This information is reported to have
come to the president by word Of
mouth through a messenger as to
whose reliability and authority there
can be no question. AS result Of
the communication the administration
now knows exactly where Col. Roose-
velt stands. and what his reasons are
for the position he takes.
Letters Profess Loyalty.
There is 90 gainsaying the fact that
the Roosevelt movement, which is go.
ing on more or less openly. is' the on
ly stone In the path Of the president to
certain and easy renomination.
Thus far there has been no open
cept the placing Of his name upon the
presidential preference primary ballot
in Nebraska. The rest has been all
quiet and secret. 1t Ia still hunt Of
gigantic proportions.
Friends OF the administration have
pointed out that it would be entire-
ly easy for Col. Roosevelt to check
the positive declaration that under
no circumstances" would he accept
another nomination. The Nebraska
situation they say, offers him the op-
portunity.
He could either write to the secre-
tary Of state Of Nebraska asking that
his name be removed from that prim-
Of mandamus to compel its removal.
Thereafter. no matter what hap
pened, and regardless of whether or
not the name was removed, the col
oners position. say supporters of the
president, would be clear and unmis-
taxable.
That move could be made by Col.
Roosevelt, it is pointed out by sup
porters of the president, without ne
ressitating any statement whatever
as to his purpose not to take another
nomination. But in view of the word
that has come to the president from
the colonel, there is no expectation in
administration circles that Mr.. Roose-
velt Will make any move to have his
ballot.
Personal Reasons.
Among the reasons which actuata
Col. Roosevelt In declining to make
any under mo circumstances stat..
ment are some which are personal to
the president. Col. Roosevelt, It is
earned. takes the position that 1t IL
tHtiEoly lupOsSlDIe LOT any man now
10 tell with certainty what the cir.
.:umstances will be when the Repuh.
dean national convention meets on
June 10.
He suggested certain contingencies
which in his view might cause the
president himself at that time not to
.lesire denomination. But these CON.
fingencies are OF connected with the
possible exigenciss of the political
tituation. II they, or any Of them.
nhould occur. 1t would be entirely
apart from any purely political devel-
ppment that may take place between
pow and the meeting Of the conven-
Hon.
Ono OF these contingencies il the
health Of the president himself; an
ether is the health Of members OF his
amily. There 10 no possible guaran-.
be that one Of these contingencies
nay not occur. and by occurring