Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1915-11-13
ROOT IS THE MAN
TO LEAD G.. D. P
TAFT DECLARES
Diplomat and Lawyer Best Fit
ted to Guide the Nation
Now.

is for Elihu Root for the republican:
for president in 1916.
The former president, in a surpris-
ingly frank, candid, and unrestrained
interview on the national political sit
uation yesterday afternoon, in his
apartments in the Blackstone hotel ex-
pressed his opinion-as a private cit:-
zen and out of politics-that Root is
"the one man who answers the re-
q%uirements Of the times"
Mr.. Taft does not underestimate tae
present political strength of Presi6en.
Wilson, but he affirms the belief that
the republicans ,"have on excellen;
chance to win the 1916 election if con-
ditions remain as they are"
He believes that next years ballots
will be cast with the European wa
in full blast. He doesn't see a peace
within 10 months at the earliest.
Fight on Tariff Issue.
The presidential campaign, in the
former presidents judgment, will be
fought out mainly on the issue Of the
tariff. The Wilson Mexican policy may
be a prime factor, "but not If the
United States happens to have Ibet on
the right horse" MI. Taft suggested
referring to the recognition Of Carran.
"a.
The foreign policy of the govern.
ment as to China and the Orient is
certain to loom largely in the nation.
al campaign, MIR. Taft said. What
Taft expresses as the wreck OF
10 years of earnest, honest and cor.
structive labor in the Philippines by
the democratic regime under Gov,
Gen. Francis Burton Harrison, figures
as a conspicuous possibility in the
impending republican attack upon the
Wilson administration.
Republican victory in Massachusetts
last week, Mr.. Taft sets down as 'tle
most significant off-year election re.
suit on record" He thought that the
Massachusetts, election results; o
interpreted, "spell the reunion
Of the republican and the progressive
parties upon an honest basis" and an
excellent indication of what may oc
expected in a nationwide campaign
next year. @
Democrats Still Strong.
Mr. Taft does not share the opti:m.
Of some republicans in predicting
defeat for democrats next
year. He bases his opinion, ne said,
upon first hand reports gained from
travelling over the entire country,
reaching to the Pacific coast, whence
he has just returned. .
II look for a republican victory, but
the verdict will not be as decisive as
it would have been had not the Euro
pean war intervened," Mn. Taft said.
we had a year of the Underwood tar
if and business suffered. Then came
the war. There has been a measure
Of prosperity. Some lines of business
have developed unconscionable profit.
It appears to he a get in quick get
out quick policy with many of them.
The conservative element of business
men, as I have found it, are eager to
as rapidly as possible to al
sound. basis, and for this reason l feel
hat the republican principles will be
e-eSlaDNSleQ 10Y next year elec-
ions" 80
As to the Presidency.
Speaking Of the presidency, Mr..
Taft said:
g II am not a candidate. / am not all
politician. As a citizen I may say
without qualification that Elihu ROOF
If New York is the n man who an
'wers the requirements of the times
'or the presidency"
did you catch any sentiment on
travels that would indicate Col.
Roosevelt might be put forward as al
candidate for the republican nomina-
MIR. Taft was asked.
u did not come out here to answer
he riddles Of the SPHINX" he retorl-
ri !