The Washington herald., 1916-02-13
Bay State Campaign for Roosevelt.

No who believes that Repre- sentative
Gardner, Mr.. Charles Sumner Bird, Mr.. Grafton D.
Cushing and Mr. Robert NJ Washburn are sim
cere and earnest in their intention to undertake a
campaign for the nomination OF Theodore Roosc-
welt by the Republican national convention,
which they announced on the day Of Col Roose-
velt's departure for the West Indies, can doubt
that the Colonel is fully cognzant of the under
taking That Col. Roosevelt is a candidate for
the nomination is not to be questioned. He has
supplied ample evidence Of his aspirations in half
dozen different ways. He wants the nomina-
ton. and if the four experienced politicians who
have just announced their purpose want him to
have it they will not in his absence enter upon a
campaign not sanctioned by him and that may
conflict with his own program of conquest
Therefore, unless the gentlemen from Massa-
ehusetts to be suspected of playing a deep
game that has not the nomination of Col. Roose-
welt its object at ALL the inference must be
that the Colonel has departed for the West Indies
leaving his fortunes in able hands to return the
psychological moment for success, il any such
moment should indicate itself.
This latest development makes the certainty of
"a fierce battle with heavy casualties at Chicago
just a little certain. The prospect of a
battle royal of Bay State candidates, to be fol-
lowed perhaps by a resoundng clash of regulars
and Progressives at Chicago, adds nothing to the
confidence OF Republicans in victory next No
vember. With the convention less than four
months away, there are no signs Of concentration
on any one two candidates. Everybody is in
the race, because there exists a strong, though
possibly mistaken, impression that nomination
next June will be equivalent to election But for
the assurance, however reliable it may prove to
be, that the Progressives will listen to reason at
Chicago. there would be little foundation for Re-
.tt - Il
tions effect compromise, there would appear to
be more urgent need this year than ever before
Of all the resources and facilities for pacifying the
various warning elements that in the past have
enabled the Republican party to close their ranks
after the convention and present united front to
the enemy.
The wisdom of Republicans who are looking
forward TO victory and supporting Col Roosevelt
for the nomination will be questioned 1t is no
more apparent than it would be in the case of an
other group supporting Mr. Taft. The nomina-
ton Of either Of them would invite war, even If it
did not come, and it is not easy to imagine a G. O.
P. convention taking such chances, when there is
not the smallest necessity for it. There are a
number of available candidates to choose from,
any one of whom Col. Roosevelt would be obliged
to support, and who could be counted to poll
as many votes as the Colonel From all that can
be learned OF the country's sentiment Justice
Hughes would make the strongest appeal and he
has not yet eliminated himself as a possibility.
The supporters of Col. Roosevelt may be satisfied
in their own minds that putting forward the
strongest candidate is not necessary to win the
victory, but il they expect to find majority OF
the delegates at Chicago disposed to share this
view they may be disappointed; and even if such
| extreme confidence does prevail in the conven-
ton it will be reposed in some candidate accept
able to the majority, and the majority may pre-
fer another to Col Roosevelt
Altogether the Massachusetts movement has
pereeptiby muddled the Republican situation.
Following the revelations of Mr. Frank Hitch
cocks activities among prospective delegates from
the South, however. it strengthens the indications
that an extensive and we'll organized campaign in
behaif of Col Roosevelt Is getting Under way.