The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-05-17


! Cleveland. O., May ie.-Replying tc
the claims OF Theodore Roosevelt
that he had 522 delegates to the Re
publican National Convention. Presi-
dent TAFT to-day in a public state.
ment pointed out that Roosevelt had
only 300 delegates. and stated that the
result of the primaries IN Ohio would
Settle the question OF The Republican
nomination. The statement follows:
only ISIS delegates 70 the Chicago
convention remain to pc chosen II
theodore Roosevelt were to get all OF
thcm, yet he could not be nominated
Carefully prepared figures show thai
only 300 delegates thus far are in
structed for or pledged to him. and
the talk OF real and genuine contests
against delegates who are Instructed
Tor me is as unsustaincd by the facts
as many OF the misleading issues
which have been injected into this
campaign.
The number of Taft delegates thus
Tar chosen. not counting eight from
Montana and a number from Texas
and Arkansas. which will be elected
to-day. Is $50, and the vote in Ohio
my nome State. much to my gratifica-
ton. VIII be the decisive one. and Will
scttle the question OF he nomination.
me Chicago convention will be or
sanized by the friends OF constitu-
tional government, and the success of
That great cause now seems assured IS
Calls Colonel Wild md Ridiculous
Cleveland. O.. May l6.-'T would not
oe herr to bother you tonight If IT
d'd not concern the American people
more than it does me TO defeat Theo-
dore Roosevelt for the presidency"
That was tn. way President Taf.
introduced his criticism OF Colonel
Roosevelt here tonight.
II IL We're a purely personal matter
with ne he continued, ~ would be
content to abide by the verdict of tim,
and would remain in the White House.
silent under his m!sstatements and al
lacks upon me. But moro than my
own feelings in the matter is at stake.
1t is OF supreme Importance to the
American people"
After day of rest. during which
he mada two talks TO workingmen at
local manufacturing plants and con-
ferred with Senator Burton and other
State leaders, President Taft spoke to-
night in the Central Armory here to a
great crowd.
Il am here most reluctantly, but l
d
the President. IT am here to ask ius-
tice for an Ohio President"
The crowd stamped and chsersd and
appiauded that statement with vigo-.
Speaking of the Payne tariff bill and
the need existing for further tariff re-
vision. Mr.. Taft got a laugh and cheer
by remarking:
the money. l will see that the sche-
dulles which are too high will be re-
viscd"
Mr.. Taft made probably the most
comprehensive defense of his own ad-
ministration that he has delivered In
the present campaign.
Mr.. Taft made some new phrases in
speaking of Colonel Roosevelt. At one
point he called his ideas of conStitu-
tional government wild and ridicu-
lous notions" end at another time
spoke of Roosevelt's tyranny and ex-
plosive Inconsistency"
The President brought again the
charge that Roosevelt, Senator Dixon.
his campaign manager. and the Demo-
Gratis in the Senate were responsible
for the weakening of the British and
French arbitration treaties.
az propose, however" said the Pres
ident, whether in or out of office. to
carry on the agitation for those trea-
ties. My experience in moro than for
~ States of the Union last year has
convinced me that the American peo-
nle are for the ratification of these
treaties as they are"
! The President will leave here early
tomorrow for Western Ohio.
stands by His Claim.
| Toledo, May l6.--"of the delegates
| already elected have SOL, said
/ Colonel Roosevelt to-day lie stood
by his statement of yesterday that he
had more than 500 delegates. and was
, confident that he would he nominated
on the first ballot at the Chicago con-
vention.
; The third day OF Colonel Roosevelt 8
Ohio campaign took him from Green's
vile to Toledo. He made thirteen