The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-04-23
STANDPATTERSARE BECOMING UNEASY Getting Ready to Support Roosevelt if Necessary THE BREACH IS WIDE Neither Will Have Full Support of Republican Party-Taft Must Win on the First Ballot
 or He Is Lost
THE BREACH IS WIDE
By WALTER HARPER


 Washington. April Special. It is the general opinion in Washington that the old line standpat IepubHean leaet tf are getting ready to support Theodore Roosevelt in the event he should manage to cop. the nomination at Chicago.
 The vigorous assault of Congressman Campbell of Kansas on Colonel Roosevelt delivered on the floor of the House today was not relished by Leader Mann and the others of the standpat persuasion. The speech was loudly applauded by the in- surgents and the democrats. Some of the old line republicans were amused but they appeared to think the attack was unwise.
 ''Zephyrs"
 In a colloquy with Congressman Henry last Saturday Leader Mann declared that if Roosevelt is nominated The will beat the democrats to death" Coupled with these zephyfs that Indicate the general direction of the wind is the determina- ton of President Taft not to make a vigorous personal assault on MT. Roose- yelt. He has been mportunted, almost begged by some of the more enthusiastic of his supporters to go after Roosevelt hammer and tongs. But he has declined. He was disposed to abuse the insurgents when there appeared but little promise that they could get d respectable follow ing but now that the insurgent move ment is really formidable it seems to be the disposition of the President and oth- CTS to put on the soft pedal and prepare to get together for the common good of the party whoever the nominee may be.
 Neither Can Unite Party
 But there is no denying that neither Taft or Roosevelt can get anything like the full support of the party. The breech is already too wide to be healed. Thou sands of life long republicans will stay at home before they will vote for Roose- velt There are other thousands who will do the same thing before they will vote for Taft. There are many who still believe that Roosevelt will bolt the party if he Is not given the nomination.. If Roosevelt bolts he will have his followers the editor of large eastern republican paper that Is supporting President Taft told me today that his paper would not support Roosevelt if he is nominated.
 There are many strong newspapers and men who are supporting Roosevelt that could not with good grace support Taft if he is nominated
 The general impression here is that Roosevelt VIII get at least q majority Of the delegates from Massachuetts. Both candidates are making last strong stand in the state. The fight is growing very bitter Both the principals will make per sonal campaigns in the state. Both vii be backed up by the best campaigners they have. If Roosevelt should make any ything Hke the showing in Massachu- setts that he did in Pennsylvania ant Illinois the campaign will be considered as practically over. Taft will have tc squeeze into the nomination on the firs ballot or he is gone.
 Must Win on First Ballot
 Taft's failure on the first ballot vii send the southern and other delegation: into the Roosevelt ranks in punches. Ii tie convention does not find n compro mise candidate that looks good to all side; befre the second ballot is taIer Roosevelt will be the nominee with 4 panic stricken majority.
 Taft's only hope now appears to be a squeeze in on the first ballot. squeeze in for any candidate will only. add to the fatalities that are due to the republican party next fall.