The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-02-26
Reply To Western GoOernors Given Out In NeW York Creates Intense
 Sensation All OUer Nation
PRESIDENT TAFT SILENT
 BUT IS DEEPLY WOUNDVo oJ
Could Hardly Bring Himself Believe That His Former lief Would Oppose Him For the Denomination Interesting Situation In Taft Cabinet Roosevelt Says His
 Letter Is Clear and Will Not Talk

1 Washington, February 25.-Newspapers and the offices Of Washington corres- pondents were besieged today and tonight with personal and telephone calls for poll iticlans and statesmen, asking what Col onel Roosevelt had to say l In the list of anxious callers were seN- eral Roosevelt boomers, who had recent r. called on the former President and to whom 1t was supposed advance in- formation of his intentions had been given. It was evident that few were prepared for the crisp, unequivocal state ment from the colonel that he was a candidate for the republican nomina- ton.
 No Comment from Taft President Taft was given a copy of his | pl edeeessor's letter. but he would make no statement. White House officials also were reticent but they made no attempt to disguise their interest. The Taft cam paign bureau was dark tonight Director William B. Mckinley having left Wash ington at noon for Chicago.
 The only remark emanatng from the President during the day that bore upon the tense political situation was made to a senator who asked that his name be not used. It was:
 T know that we are right and I am confident that we will be successful"
 It has been only in the last fortnight that President Taft has been willing to admit to his closest friends that he be- .t.- race against him for the nomination. It is doubted whether up to the last min ute he was fully convinced that any an nouneement coming from his predecessor would be without a string attached.
 Taft Deeply Hurt That President Taft was deeply hurt to learn that from now on he must en- sr,sSt it open corftsst against ',5.e man under whom he had served for many years became known soon as the Roose- [ welt letter was made public. The relations between Colonel Roose- welt and MT. 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 a renomination and that he was convinced the colonel would
 
 himself become candidate was known to all MT. Taft's friends. These friends have pointed out that Secretary of War Stimson, who was governor of New York with MT. Roosevelt as his most con- spicuous backed and also Secretary of the Navy Meyer who was in the Roose- velt cabinet and one of his chiefs closest counsellors, were in the Taft official fam fly.
 It has been a matter of every day com ment that Secretaries Stimson and Never have been frequent visitors to Colonel Rooseyelt'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 estranged.
 Speculation Rife There is a great deal of speculation here tonight as to the probable attitude of these members of the cabinet. If their support is given to Colonel Roosevelt their resig- nations may be expected So far as Secretary Stmson is con cerned 1t is known that he entered the Taft cabinet unhampered as to any fu- ture 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 that he stipulated he should i not be expected to do campaign work l Yet, he has accepted an invitation to l speak in Chicago on March at the Taft club meeting.
 1 Only as recently as last Friday Secrc- l tary Meyer met a runor that he was about to resign with this statement: "If | l remain in the cabinet, as I intend to lo 1 1t is quite evident that my loyalty will be with my chief
 l The usual optimistic week end state ment was issued from the Taft head l quarters
 A Teft Delegates Elected It was stated that 44 delegates for Taft thus far had been elected. No account was taken of the several eontesting dele gations, the statement being made that no republican delegates opposed to Mir. Taft had been elected.
 l It was also reiterated tonight by friends of the President that he was willing to | let stand his announcement of seveia al weeks ago that nothing but death would l take him out of the fight for the nomina- | tion.
 | The Roosevelt letter was read to Sen | ators LaFollette and Cummins both avowed candidates for the republican | nomination, but neither would make a,iy comment
 The Woodrow Wilson and Harmon heal quarters issued statements expressing 1 their delight at the muddying of repnb- | ican waters and several prominent dem ocratic leaders took occasion to predict an easier task for their party in the coming campaign.
 Charles P. Taft Cincinnati. February 25.-After reading l the staten of Col. Theodore Roosevelt that he would accept the presidential nom- 1 nation if it was rendered him. Charles P. | Taft. brother of President Taft, said: l T don't think MT. Roosevelt will get that nomination. fin fact I am positive we will beat him. MT. Roosevelt has made | himself unpopular with the republican party by his speech at Columbus MT Taft .:aid this statement was his l own personal opinion.
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