The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-01-04
Nothing But Death Can Keep Me Out of the
 Fight
LAFOLLETTE ALSO IN TO THE FINISH
Believed Taft's Statement Today Will Be Received as Dare by Roose- welt and Will Encourage
 Him to Run
BY WALTER HARPER


 Washington, January S.-tSpecial) = President Taft put quietus to all ru- mors tha. he may retire from the race for renomination today with the follow ing statement. which he authorized might be made public:
 "Noshing but death can keep me out Of the fight nowt 4e#
 It is also announced by the friends of Senator LaFolette that he is in to the finish. If Theodore Roosevelt wants to run and finds enough encouragement he will run. The fact that these other men are in the race and one of them Pres ident will not deter him, according to pol iticians In Washington who are acquaint- ed with tie spirit of the former Presi- dent.
 May Encourage Roosevelt
 In fact, it is believed that the Presl- dents statement today will be received as a dare by Roosevelt and will rather encourage him to get into the race than leave the field clear for the President
 In view of the fact that there is ad- mltted lukewarmness toward Mir. Taft in quarters where most enthusiastic support might be expected, it is to be anticipated that the progressive and. spectacular cam paign that would be conducted by MT. Roosevelt would make things very inter- esting in republican quarters.
 The uncertainty and hesitation in re- publican camps is the result of but one condition. That Is alarm for the safety of the party.
 MT. Taft Is in such a position that he cannot desert or be deserted and yet the party is convinced that if he is the noml- nee he wlll be defeated unless there is some greas and unexpected revdlsion among the democrats and those repllb- licans who stand ready to support safe democrat
 The complex situation in the republican party is the principal theme of conversa- ton in Washington. The tariff is tenn porariy forgotten.
 President Taft 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 nom ination has not changed in any particular since he first entered the White House.
 MT. Taft has told friends and party leaders from the first that if he should be called upon to stand for re- election, he would be glad to do so; that he felt under obligations to the party for having made him President and was willing to abide by its decision in convention.
 Adheres To Position
 He adheres this position now according to announcements made and will not quit the race until the nominating ballots are cast at Chicago. The President was urged by number of his closest friends to make a definite statement as to his po- quoted above
 With this statement as their inspiration 1t Is said the Taft supporters will begin an active campaign In his behalf at once
 It was stated early this morning uhat some of MT. Taft's friends have gone so far lately as to advise him openly to break with Colonel Roosevelt and to challenge the latter to make plain his in- tentions.
 The President has declined to do thls The White House has been fairly flooded with callers lately who have brought word to President Taft that Colonel Roosevelt so far has declined to say that he would not accept the nomination if 1t were ten- dered to him. It also has been reported to the White House that ex-Presldent Roosevelt believes an organized effort is being made to smoke him out and he is declining to be eliminated either by the Taft or I.aFollette forces.
 President Taft listened to all of these reports with an indulgent smile but has refused to indicate, however, whether or not he believed them.
 It Is denied vehemently at the White House that Mir Taft has sent any mes senger to MT. Roosevelt on any subject whatever
 The President has been urged for weeks to make q more progressive campaign In his own behalf. He has replied that he did not think political activity comported with presidential dignity. He now has consented that his friends carry forward the fight as vigorously as they desire and he will lend what assistance he properly can later.