Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-02-26
Crux Of Campaign Will
Center in Presidents
Home State.
TAFT CALLS ADVISERS
Secretary of War Stimson Is to
Fire Opening Gun at Chi
cago March 5.

Washington, Feb. 26.-Anairs at
the White house went on as usual to-
day. There was no great increase in
the number of callers in consequence |
of the announcement of Colonel
Roosevelt's willingness to accept an
other nomination.
Secretary of War Stimson talked
with the president some time. Asked
what attitude he would take in re-
gard to Roosevelt, Stimson said: Il
will make my position perfectly clear
in a speech / will make in Chicago
March g."
PREPARING FOR BATTLE.
There is a growing belief in Wash
ington that the crux of the pre-con-
vention campaign will center in
Ohio, the presidents own state. 1t.
is known the Roosevelt forces will
make one of the strongest bids for
delegations there, and the presidents
friends are preparing to meet these
activities.
The president will have no direct an
swer to the announcement from Roose-
welt, prior to Ohio speeches, according
to statements from official sources.
COLONEL HAS BUSY DAY.
Boston, Feb. 26.-Colonel Roose-
Welt was scheduled today for a num-
her OF political conferences. After
luncheon he goes home with Grafton
Cushing, speaker of the Massachu-
setts house. Before leaving Boston
Roosevelt expects to meet Governor
Bass Of New Hampshire and repre-
sentatives OF the Militant Progressive
Republican league OF Massachusetts.
GIN THE FIGHT, THAT'S ALL
Were in the fight; that's all,
said Roosevelt today. 1t was his only
comment upon the statement issued
yesterday that he would accept the
presidential nomination If it were Of
fered him. kilograms from many
parts of the country poured in and
many men active in politics called
on Roosevelt. These visitors as well
as the messages urged Roosevelt to
roll up his sleeves and throw himself
into the fray.
ABOOF FROM ORGANIZATIONS.
While he will keep in touch with
the political situation in all parts of
the country, Roosevelt expressed a
determination to identify himself
with no Roosevelt organization. He
said he would reiterate from time to
time his belief in the political prin-
ciples which he set forth in his
speech at Columbus, Ohio. II is upon
this platform the Roosevelt campaign
is to be fought.
SAYS HE WILL ACCEPT.
Roosevelt's reply to the petition
of the governors of eight states, ask.
ing him to become a candidate, given
out yesterday in New York, is as fol.
lows:
New York, Feb. "a, 1912-Gentle
men: l deeply appreciate your let
ter and realize to the full the heavy
responsibility II puts upon me, ex
pressing as II does the carefully con
sidered convictions OF the men elect
ed by popular vote to stand as the
Eeads OF government in their severa
states.
/ absolutely agree with you tha,
this matter is not one 10 be decided
with any reference to the persona
preferences or interests Of any man
but purely from the standpoint o
the interests OF the people as a whole
! will accept the nomination 70
president II Il is rendered to me an,
will adhere to this decision unit
the convention has expressed its pref
erence.
One OF the chief principles 70
which l have stood and for which
now stand and which have alway
endeavored and always shall endeav
or TO reduce 70 action Is the genuin
rule OF the people; and therefore
hope that, so far as possible, tn
people may be given the chanc
through direct primaries TO expires
their preference as to who shall b
the nominee OF the republican presi
Dental convention. Very truly yours
THEODORE ROOSEVELT.
HEADQUARTERS OPENED.
New York, Feb. Adjournment OF
fces from which the supporters o
Roosevelt will wage the fight for tn
republican presidential nomination
we're opened here today in charge o
Oliver Clinton Carpenter. a lawyer.
INTERESTING, SAYS BRYAN.
ogden. Utah. Feb. 26.-In an intel
view today, William j. Bryan, com
menting on Roosevelt's declaration o
his candidacy. said: The announce
ment Of .Roosevelt's candidacy 70
president is news that is news, excep
that it was foreshadowed by hi