The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-05-30
But Success or Failure of Efforts Depends Entirely
 on Roosevelt
VICTORY NOT SURE
 EVEN IN HARMONY
Roosevelt Will Demand Shelving the Very Men Who Are Determined Not to be Shelved-Must
 Eliminate Colonel
ar C. F. STEWART

Washington May 29.-(Special Ut Is be- lieved in Washington that the events or the next two or three weeks will de- termine the lines not only as to the cam paign this fall but for 1916 well, that will be followed by the opponents of the democratic party. There is a strong un- dercurrent in both the ranks of the pro- gressives and the republicans which trends toward a reconciliation of these two polit- ical factions of the republican party. The belief is growing here that the differences of the leaders must not be permitted to overcome the desires of the rank and file to come together once more in the same camp, and under the same banner, and fight their common enemy.
 It is agreed unquestionably that the major portion of the solution of this ques- tion is up to Colonel Roosevelt. To all ap- pearances Roosevelt Is going right ahead with his plans for the party of which he is the very foundatio superstructure, roof and brains to battle for the things which he stands for, and against the peo- pie whom he opposes. In spite of all the talk to the contrary, the colonel has done nothing, nor said nothing, that would
  coming from the Taft wing of the repub- lican party concerning a reconciliation. He is going to fight Penrose in Pennsylvania and he is going to fight Cannon in Illinois. A few of the smaller fry of the leaders of the old guard may seek harmony, but one, thing is regarded here as absolutely certain that if harmony means that Roosevelt is to be eliminated he will never n nlony means that Cannon, Taft, Penrose, Barnes, Root Shoot. Gallinger and oth- CTS take a back seat, they will never consent to it.
 There is tho simple element in the prop osition-and only one-the democratic ob servers point out, that may surmont all obstacles, and work out fusion, and that is. that the progressives and the repub licans, particularly the rank and file, are so desperate in their desire to win and again get control of the government, that they will do anything to bring about such an end.
 Can Win If United
 There is feeling of confidence among both republicans and progressive members of Congress, outside of the real leaders in both organizations, that if the two wings are united they can win. They de- clare that the Wilson administration has furnished them the issues and united they win. while if there is still division they concede that the democrats will be re- turned as the winners again in 1916.
 There is also the feeling that Roosevelt is the surest winner as the nominee of the two parties. If they can get the two forces to coalesce with Roosevelt at the head they believe that victory is cer- tain.
 Leaders of the democratic party in the first place do not believe that there will be a reunion of the two factions. After what has happened they do not believe it. possible to draw together in the same camp the followers of Taft and the Can non and Aldrich crowd, and the followers of Roosevelt It is certain that Roosevelt is going to attack-he has in fact already done so--the administration on canal tolls. Many of the very big leaders of the Taft wing supported President Wilson on canal tolls repeal; in fact, Senator Root of New York was the moving spirit in the repeal fight
 1t is argued that Roosevelt will capture the republican convention through the primary system of electing delegates, be- cause the rank and file are for him, but