Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1912-02-29
FEW READY FOR
CRISP STATEMENT
Several Roosevelt Boomers among
the Anxious Inquirers as
to His Letter.
NO DOUBT HOW TAFT FEELS
President Deeply Hurt to Learn
He Must Engage in Open
Contest against the Man
He Served.

WdSHlIlEtOn REP SO-E>cWSpdpeTS
and the offices Of Washington cores
pondents were bcsieged to-day and to-
night with personal and telephone
calls from politicians and statesmen
asking what Colonel Roosevelt had to
say.
In the list of anxious callers were
several Roosevelt boomers who had
recently called on the former presi-
dent and to whom 1t was supp osed
advance information of his Intentions
had been given. 1t was evident that
few We're prepared for the crisp. un
equivocal statement from the colonel
that he was a candidate for the re-
publican nomination.
President Taft was given copy Of
his predecessors letter. but he would
make no comment. White House orr
Gals also were reticent. but they made
no attempt to disguise their interest.
The aft campaign bureau was dark
tonight. Director VIM. Il. Mckinley
having left Washington at noon for
chicago.
The only remark emanating from
the President during the day that at
all bore upon the tense political situa-
ton was made to a senator who ask
ed that his name be not used. 1t was
linus: II know that we're right and
] am confident that we will be sue.
cessful"
1t has been only in the last fortnight
that President Taft has been willing to
admit to his closest friends that he be-
lieved Colonel Roosevelt would enter the
race against him for the nomination. It
Is doubted whether up to the last minute
Ire was fully convinced that any an
nouncement coming from his predecessor
would be without string attached to It,
PRESIDENT TAFT DEEPLY HURT.
That President Taft was deeply hurt to
learn that from now on he must engage
In an open contest against the man under
whom he had served for years, became
known soon after the Roosevelt letter was
made public
The relations between Colonel Roose-
welt and Mr. Taft. when the latter served
as secretary of war. were exceptionally
close. For months President Taft re-
fused to believe that Colonel Roosevelt
would oppose him for denomination, and
that he was convinced the colonel would
turn a deaf ear TO all urging that he him
self become candidate was known TO all
MIR. Taft's friends. These friends have
pointed out that Secretary Of War Slim
son. who ran for governor Of New York
with Mr.. Roosevelt as his most conspicu-
Gus hacker, and also Secretary Of the
Navy Meyer, who was in the Roosevelt
cabinet and one of his chiefs closest
counsellors. were in the Taft Official fam
lily
1t has been a matter OF every day COM
ment that Secretaries Stimson and Meyer
have been frequent visitors to Colonel
Roosevelt's offices in New York or his
home at Oyster Bay. These visits were
accepted as proof that Taft and Roose-
Welt were not wholly cstranged. There Is
much speculation here tonight az to the
probable attitude OF these members Of
the cabinet. II their support Is given
TO Colonel Roosevelt their designations
may be expected.
STIMsON APPEARS LOYAL
So far as Secretary stimson is con.
cerned, il is known that he entered the
Taft cabinet unnampered as to any future
political activity, Colonel Roosevelt Is one
of the men he is known to have consulted
before he accepted the war portfolio and
1t Is said. upon unquestioned authority
pectcd to do campaign work. Yet he has
accepted an invitation to speak In Chi
cago on March ) at the Taft club meeting
Only as recently as last Friday Secre'
tary Meyer met rumor that he was
about to resign with this statement: III
remain IN the cabinet as I intend &c
do, ii is quite evident that my loyalty
Will be with my chief"
,zl,,.
oogy of the Roosevelt letter were in
tent upon learning whether II was made
clear that the colonel would he can,
tlda.e only until the Chicago convention
made irs choice. Many political leaders
professed to believe that II the colonel
failed to get the nomination he would
head a third party.
Even before the Roosevelt letter was
roceived, the bureau here, which has
charge Of his interests, issued a state
ment denying the third party rumor
The letter issued from New York was
taken as positive evidence that Mr.
Roosevelt had no such purpose.
USUAL OPTIMISTIC REVIEW.
Notwithstanding the bombshell from
New York the usual optimistic week.,
review Of the last week was issued TO
night from the Taft bureau. 1t was stat
ed that ~ delegates for Taft thus fa
had been elected. No account was taker
Of the several contesting delegations tn,
statement being made that no republi
can delegates opposed to Mr., Taft hao
been elected.
1t was also reiterated Tonight b,
friends of the President that he was will
ing to let stand his announcement Of sew
cra weeks ago that nothing but dealt
would take him out OF the fight for tn