New-York tribune., 1912-02-16
From The Tribune Bureau

Washington February 15.
TAFTS RESPONSIBILITY. -. The de-
rneud that President TAFT Strike back at
his enemies"-snd by this term is usually
meant eX-President Rooseyelt-is becoming
daily more insistent and Ia beginning TO
emsnate from some quarters worthy Of at
tention. Originally the demand came solely
! from democratic sources and from few in
surgents IN disguise. The frst were OBJ
Nlously actlated by desire to widen the
breach in the Republican party. The sec
ond were undoubtedly hoping that IL the
President could be provoked into attacking
his predecessor the colonel would throw
caution to the winds and reply in kind. To
all OF these suggestions the only reply OF
PRESIDENT TAFT has been an insistence that
his friends. and more especially the MEM
( oe7s OF his official family. refrain from
erfry'hing that might oven be construed as
an attack on Colonel Roosevelt OF course
the attempt has been made to hold w to
s"orn Mr. Tafts forhearance. aud he has
been charged with being supine and weak
hearted. but so long as such misrepresenta-
ticns emanated from his enemies he ignored
them. Recently. however. some Of his
loyal friends. m'sled by such tactics, have
expressed regret that he did not return the
attack. and Fon1e explanation OF his posi-
ton seems therefore 10 be in order.
II Is all very well for those who have prac-
, tically nothing at stake TO attack him
They have only "a gamblers chance" Of de-
feating his nomination. and unless they size
coed in doing that the result Of the election
Will be 40 them q matter ot Indifference
rs,T ,..;1 Ia
wholly discredted. They must compass his
defeat IN the convention or lose their po-
litlcal lives. and under these circumstances
II is only natural even though II may not
he credltable. that they should stop at no
extreme which may promote their end. Mr..
Tnfts position. It will DO seen. is wholly diff
Eerent. He IS confident that the methods
Of his opponents cannot succeed. He fully
expects 10 he the standard bearer OF
the party in the real fight which will cul-
minte on November ). and he would regard
himself az recreant 70 his trust were he TO
take any step which might tend 10 imperil
the success Of the party in the national
election. While some Of those who oppose
President Taft's denomination will doubt
less continue TO conduct their fight with an
end. he will conduct his fight with an eye
single 10 Republican success in November.
TAFT AND ROOSEVELT.-From wha I
has been said. II must not he supposed that
the President regards Colonel Roosevelt as
his enemy. In a situation befogged by so
much irresponsible and conflicting gossip
and by reports obviously malicious in their
Inspiration. the President refuses 10 accept
anything less than an. authoritative state
ment from Mr.. Roosevelt himself as worthy
OF consideration Twice Mr.. Roosevelt has
spoken authoritatively on the subject OF a
denomination OF himself for the Presidency.
and on both occa sions he has declared that
under no circumstances would he again be
a candidate for denomination. Unless Mr..
Roosevelt makes some authoritative state
nent contradlcting his earlier pronounce
menis the President will feel obligated to
take him at his word. To the Irresponsible
vap6rings Of those who are establishing
Roosevelt headquarters' and acquiring an
otherwise unattainable publicity by: issuing
attacks on Mr.. Taft ne will pay little heed.
lie does not believe for a moment that their
reckless screeds will produce any material
effect on the minds OF the voters That
they are essentially "anti-Taft' men rather
Ihan Roosevelt men they have proved by
their earlier support OF Senator La Fol-
lette. That they are Incapable of loyal sup
port OF any one other than themselves they