Arizona republican., 1916-04-07
The First Division

The current Golfers has very interesting com ment on the contest for the republican nomination the presidency. It disreeards say dis misses, all other candidates but confines itself consideration of the chances Roosevelt. Hughes and Root From this assume that Golfers places these in the first division and believes that another of them will be chosen, save for such un- forscen accidents as sometimes bring dark horses der the wire in the lead.
 Roots chances. Golfers believes upon the ability of the reactionary leaders to control the vention June absolutely they controlled the convention of 1912. will speak that later. The chances of Hughes are not so much considered by Golfers as Hughes himself. man of unknown views the questions which will constitute the issues of the campaign. From him there has come word on the subject of preparedness. Nobody knows what he thinks of the tariff Not sentence has come from him regarding preparedness for peace the great adjustment conditions will follow the war. lis present position is described by Golfers that of d pig in poke" The American people likely to accept the poke until it is opened that it's contents may he appraised.
 As Colonel Roosevelt. Golfers says:
 If ever the phrase logical candidate" were justi- fled it is applicable to Roosevelt. The issues in the canning campaign going he international relations including Mexico preparedness; the eco- nunic questions arising of the conclusion of the war On these issues the one leader who has been oatspoken is Roosevelt. He expressed disagreement with President Wilson's Mexican policy from the be- ginning. Since the first week of the European Roosevelt has been whole hearted and continuous opposition to the policy of the democratic admins tration. In the beginning this oposition of Roose- V"lts was unpopular and the presidents course pas popular. Such sentiment for preparedness have and such dissent from foreign policy as We now have has created almost wholly through Roosevelt'S leadership. The country has measurably come around to his point of view For whatever portion of the electorate diskes President Wilson's administration and wants to against il. Roosevelt is the logical candidate.
 Whether Roosevelt will be nominated by the nublicans not depends upon whether the lead who defeated him in 1912 willing accept him The present feeling of those leaders prob ably be expressed with fair accuracy in the following sentences They would like to nominate old fash toned standpatter. preferably Root. and they would nominate Root if they thought he could be elected. Eut they realize that can be elected unless he carry in addition to the regular republican vote. bulk of the progressive party vote; and they know Root cannot do this These national leaders know, of that Roosevelt would surely the bulk of the progressive vote Since they have the they would like, they will probably look upon the question quite cold blOodedy and name, be- tween Roosevelt and Hughes the more likely to carry the
 The conditions preceding the national convention constantly changing and will change until the very moment when the delegates haves assembled at Chicago. They the they when Golfers comment prepared The favorte who expected to play into the hands of the reactionary leaders being endorsed in such numbers expected. Very few of the delegates far chosen have been instructed, and of the in- slruced delegates all believe, except the twenty six instructed for Fairbanks those who etmstanccs could be controlled by the reactonary leaders. If in the bottom of the hearts of the other delegates who have been instructed for candidates of progressive tendencies Roosevelt is their first choice, he will certainly their second and only choice after they have been freed from the obligations of their instructions.
 We can hardly believe that majority of the who controlled the convention four years ago would commit the same crime, if they could, that mited then. Penrose would Barnes would and per hips. some others would But the jOrity of the who participated in that crime for party They would prefer put away hopeless ambitions prejudices and personal dislike and to follow victory leader whom they fear and, ma be even hate follow leader of their own per sonal choice to certain defeat.