The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-03-29
The Colonel Stands Ready to
Support the Justice.
IF NOMINATION BE REFUSED
Then Roosevelt Is Willing to
Fill the Breach.
Expects To Be a Force in Chi
cagO Convention.

influence IN the coming campaign 10
encompass the defeat OF President
Wilson and the present administration
which he believes has not reflected
the true spirit of the American peo-
pie and has suffered humiliation and
loss of national honor, both at home
and abroad, Theodore Roosevelt will
permit no fractional fights to be made
in his behalf for delegates or give en-
couragement to any strife in the OPP
position to the Democratic admins
tration.
In taking this stand. Colonel Roose-
party at Chicago. will not adopt any
''tweedIe-dum tweedle-dee" platform,
but will adopt resolutions covering the
question of foreign relations that will
appeal to the true American spirit
He also assumes that the platform
will take a progressive and essential
ly forward looking stand on national
economic conditions, such as ne be
lieves will point to greater national
efficiency-that will meet modern and
new conditions brought about by the
world war in a modern spirit OF pro-
sressiveism and AmericanisTn-
In Receptive Mood.
He also assumes that the candidate
chosen at Chicago will truly reflect the
platform and spirit Of its declaration
He will not permit, directly or lndl-
rectIv. any fight to be made in his be
half for delegates. If the nomination
is rendered him by the convention,
that will be a matter to pass upon
then-not before.
Colonel Roosevelt will not counte-
nance for a minute any juggling or
political manipulation, such as
brought the 1912 convention at Chi
cago upon the rocks of disorder and
ruin. If an attempt is made to strad-
die the vital issues before the country
on a milk and water" platform in a
delusive hope of catching votes-all
bets will be off The big stick will
be out and there will be fight every
bit as warm as in 1912.
Unraveling the Skein.
This outline of the position of Colo
mel Roosevelt has been accepted here
without qualification by Republicans
representing both the conservative and
radical wings of the party 1t is an
understanding reached, it is stated, as
a result of conferences, supplemented
by letters, kilograms and long distance
telephone conversations that have
been going en- since the return of the
colonel to this country last week. Par
rectIy as we'll as indirectly, were repre-
sentatives of the odd Guard" ele
ment in the Republican party, that
fought Roosevelt to the last ditch in
1912, as well as Progressive RepubH
cans who stood with Roosevelt four
ferences much progress has been
made in Strengthening out the tangled
Republican situation.
Colonel Roosevelt's views may have
been misunderstood by the Republican
leaders here who have been in touch
with him. Such a construction on his
position may have been circulated
here by Republicans more interested
in bringing about harmony at Chi
cago than in correctly stating the po-
sition of the Oyster Bay statesman.
But this much is absolutely certain
that view of the coloneFs position is,
as stated, accepted without qualifica-
ton by both standpatters and progress
sive Republicans alike. 1t has put a
finishing touch to the flattenng-out
process which the tfavor1te SON
boomlets have been going through the
last three weeks since the revival
of the Hughes movement again be-
came so active.
Set His Foot Down.
This feeling has been further
heightened by the knowledge here
that Colonel Roosevelt in his confer
ence with Charles Bird of Massachu-
sets and other delegates who were
running as ous-and-out Roosevelt del
/ egates, set his foot down emphatical-
ly upon any fractional fight being
made, directly or indirectly, for him
in Massa chusetts or any other state.
He's Friendly to Hughes.
Developments in the situation since
I Colonel Roosevelt's return, as stated
by a Progressive Republican and
friend of Colonel Roosevelt and as a
/ standpat Republican leader agreed
correctly represented the situation
are:
/ 1. The movement on behalf of
Justice Charles E. Hughes for the Re-
publican nomination will be pushed. 1t
is stated Roosevelt is not opposed,
but friendly to it.
! ? Agreement among certain Re
+ publican leaders that only death or
unequivocal statement from Justice
I hughes he will not accept the nominal
/ Uon If rendered him." is to stop the
Hughes campaign. That was deter
mined even before Colonel ROOSEVELT
Homecoming All restraint to be taken
+ from Hughes campaign with the fur
4 tner understanding that Hughes, if it
/ becomes necessary, will be accepted on
1alth, thereby getting around any re-
quifefnenI OF an advance public state
ment from Hughes as to his position
on international questions.
Hughes Strength to T. II.
g. Should Justice Hughes definite
~ eliminate himself from the equation
by statement of the kind above out
lined. the Hughes support would go
to Roosevelt. Under the circum-
stances, if party leaders here correct
fy reflect the sentiment of the rank
and file, Roosevelt would fall heir to
80 per cent of the Hughes strength,
more than enough. it is estimated, to
give him the nomination.
4. The Progressive party conven-
ton. to be held coincident with the
4 Republican, will be a club" on the
Republican convention if there is any
/ political juggling attempted"
( 3. Agreement on all sides that the
general campaign will be fought out
almost entirely on the question of for
elgn relations and prepareduess=pr
] paredness for peace as we'll as for
war.
Two men. and only two men, can
disarrange these well laid plans of the
7 Republican leaders They are Hughes
| and Roosevelt thnrnsalvas and IL l.