New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-08-01
4. W. TAFT AN OPT|M|ST
Predicts Roosevelt Movement
viii Not Endure Test.
coLONEL'S CHARGES FALSE
Presidents Brother, in London,
SAYS Tariff Will Be Main Is
sue-Sees Prosperity.
rBv cable to The Tribune.

rBy cable 10 The Tribune
London. July 31.-Henry W. Taft OF
vow York. brother of the President
5oos not believe Colonel Roosevelt will
n,av a leading part in the final result
Of The Presidential campaign.
AZ present" Mr.. Taft. who is STAY
no ar the Ritz. said to-day. the move
mont for Mr.. Roosevelt. of course
mons large because he has not Yet been
dominated and because Of complica-
tions in relation to the electoral vote
IN several states. These complications
present difficulties to the mathemati-
clans. hut as more important issues
come TO the front they will become less
ard less important, and ultimately We
will have a straight-out fight between
the two parties.
The movement on behalf of Mr..
Roosevelt and his friends must be sus-
tained by a discussion Of the merits OF
the issues on which his candidacy is
said 10 be based-that is. the merits 81
the contests at the Chicago convention.
II seems that the delegates present ~
Chicago gave careful attention TO the
contests. In my judgment they oil
would have been decided in the same
way in any court Of justice or 10y any
jury.
The somewhat unusual course OF re
porting in detail 10 the convention the
facts IN each case was pursued, and
think these decisions will bear the
closest scrutiny. I do not believe any
fairminded man can reach conclusion
different from that Of the convention.
The strength Of the Roosevelt move
ment is based primarily on these con-
tests and I don't think the charges
ever will stand the test Of fair discus
sion. Republicans will invite that kind
Of discussion. and when il is appreci-
sted in the curse Of the next three
months that there is no possible merit
in the charges and that there was 10
fraud in Chicago, the baselessness D.,
The charges Will have great influence
in uniting the whole Republican party
in support OF the regular ticket
With Roosevelt disposed Of as tn
campaign gets down to business, Mr..
Taft believes the fight will be on the
tariff. He says:
1t is a little early 20 state just how
the lines will be drawn, but II seems to
me as If the contest ultimately will be
fought largely on the tariff and Gov
"rnor Wilson will be compelled 70 make
definite his position on this question.
understand that ne has already advo-
Gated an ultimate tariff for revenue
only. II he takes that position the Issue
is plain between that kind Of tariff and
q protective tariff. which is the kind OF
hght we have had before in America.
believe in the American people. !
believe in q protective tariff, and will
vote for it every time get the oppor-
unity"
Mr.. Taft thinks underlying business
conditions in America are sound. but
that the election OF Wilson would be
likely % retard prosperity
Before left America business con-
ditions we're favorable, and there was
a rather optimistic feeling In relation
10 the underlying conditions, irrespec-
tive OF furries in the speculative mar
ket' he says. In the matter Of bust
ness at large there was a feeling that
conditions were gradually improving
] am glad to hear that since leaving
America this improvement appears 70
be continuing.
The reelection Of President Taft
would have reassuring effect. and
business conditions would be continued
hut the election Of Governor Wilson
would make business men uncertain
and at least have a retarding effect on,
if not destroy, the prosperity which the
country now enjoys II the ultimate
effect OF the election Of Governor VIII
son Is going 10 be the revision Of the
tariff, leaving out the protective prin-
ciple, thoughtful business men cannot
sec how this ultimate result is to be
accomplished without upheavals in the
process, and they hesitate to extend
commitments or to undertake new en-
tsrprises in face Of changes in national
stairs which are almost certain TO re-
quire drastic readjustment In many
lnduetrfes