New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-04-02

day after, in a decade. Most Of the
Republican leaders. outside 0t the So
called reactionaries. saw the Roosevelt
forces dominating the Chical conven-
ton. None of them saw less than a
complete reconciliation Of the kepub-
leans and the Bull Moose der a
united standard, with the Colonel IN or
out Of the saddle. They were well
pleased with the new situation.
Maior General Wood declared that
the sumner training camps" for milf
tary training was the principal topic
discussed. lie said they wanted 70 boost
their popularity and get more men IN
the field this summer. lie tabooed the
idea that politics or personalities had
crept into IAN informal and friendly
meeting
Gary Dinner Recalled.
From other sources II was learned
that more phases Of the national pre-
pareduess question than merely the
training camps we've discussed. The
whole field of preparedness was gone
into, not only in regard 10 the military
and naval establishments, but also the
need for industrial preparedness after
the war. The Gary dinner, at which
the Colonel met score OF the leaders
in the industrial world and discussed
the needs of industrial preparedness,
was recalled in that respect.
The main predicate OF the converse
ton was said to have been that the
paramount issue IN the coming national
campaign Is preparedness and the
maintenance Of the nations honor The
failure of the Wilson Administration
10 meet the exigencies Of the situation
were discussed and the necessity Of
putting up a united front in opposition
TO returning the Democrats to power.
Charles d. Hilles, whose tendencies
have been with the Old Guard in adj
vocating ex-senator Root for the NOM
nation. declared yesterday that he
knew nothing about the Bacon lunch
con. and that it was too soon 70 dis
cuss It's effect politically throughout
the country. He suggested that Henry
l.. Stimson, Secretary OF War under
Taft. and a close friend Of ex-senator
Root. might shed some light upon the
political effect Of the gathering. Mr..
Stimson said:
The voices Of the little group Of ir-
reconcilabes who promptly seek 20 at
tach their own Interpretation TO yes
terday's meeting, do not carry FAR
among the great mass Of Republican
voters
what yesterdays meeting does
mean. in my opinion, is that Mr.. Roose-
Welt is willing TO sink past differences
and irrItations in q desire 10 present
united front Of Americans in the next
camDaign. il means that Mr.. Roots
great speech Of February 3 has gone
home. II means, in my opinion, tnat
the best qualified statesman 20 repre-
sent this country in this crisis, viii
be nominated by the Republicans next
June and elected in November-and
that man is Elihu Root
William Barnes, who presumably
could see his political power boat IN
Republican state or national counclis
drifting rapidly on the rocks, IN the
mere fact that Mr.. Root and Mr.. Roose-
welt had made up" had no comment
/ luncheon He said he had known moth
ing about il prior to its taking place.
Many prominent Republicans fore
gathered at the Republican Club yes
terday. and the chief topic Of animated
discussion when any two members got
I together was the Bacon luncheon. There
were many signed and unsigned inter-
views given out.
James r. Sheffield, president Of the
club. said
THE only political significance Of
the luncheon seemed 10 me 20 lie in the
+ fact that the national situation is so
grave as 20 unite strong men, no mat
ter what their differences, in determi-
nation to elect President and Con-
gress pledged TO national honor and
preparedness"
Moose Discuss Luncheon.
Progressives were dropping into the
headquarters all day. and, as at the Re-
publican Club, one Of their chief topics
of conversation was the Bacon lunch
con. One OF them SAID:
"Thc most significant thing iu the
Bacon luncheon IS thai the men
who met Mr.. Roosevelt thei cry
one Of them prominent i.adoi D. diff
sercut phases OF the pafamoul, les
of The day, should have turned O. llr
Roosevelt There was Nr Bacon. ad-
or Of the various societies and or
CARNATIONS and movements for national
preparedness. There was General Wood.
the dominant figure in the army and in
the practical work Of preparedness.
"Then there was Senator Lodge, the
/ leading Republican Senator OF the day,
80 admitted by all, and finally there
was Flihu Root, the acknowledged lead
or OF The Republican party. They are
all grea, patriots. working for the well
fare Of their country, and yet when
IL comes to advising about practical
measures for defending the country,
why do they turn 20 Theodore Roose-
welt. private citizen, instead OF Presl-
dent Wilsong