Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1916-04-06
Roosevelt Makes PositioIl
Clear Regarding
Presidency.
WOULD ACCEPT ON
u. OWN PLATFORM
Makes Preparedness Chief issus and
Declares HimssH Against All Msn
Who Are Not pro-Amsriean All ths
Time-Ready to Make War on vii.
sonisnn - Wants Nation Ready -
Meet Evsntualitiss.

Oyster Bay. N. r., April 6.-CcL
Theodore Roosevelt is again out In the
open as a candidate for the republican
nomination for president OF the United
States. The fight which has been made
by his followers to have him named
June 7. will be carried on with redoub-
led vlgor from this time shred Of all
quibble and pretense.
The coloneIs position, summed in q
few words. Is this: He Is In recep-
tive mood. ready to head tho fight
against wisconsin and for adeauate
preparedness and Americanism II tho
country wants him TO and that dcsirs
is reflected in the action Of the repubs
lican convention. 4. II w.
Will Not "Pussy Foot"
The colonel made known HIS attitudS
yesterday in a conversation with a vis-
itor from a nearby state who has boen
nominated for congress and expects to
go to the republican national conyon-
ton as a delegate.
things. not to expect him (the coloneD
to pussy foot" on single Issue ho
had raised. IL he was nominated. He
was not for war. he said; In fact. he
abhorred war. but felt that prepared-
ness was the only guarantees Of peace.
The scene when tho colonel made
his declaration was dramatic. Il viii
go down in history as another OF thu
chapters In the politics Of the nation,
which the colonel has helped 70 write.
There were five men present In tho
trophy-room at iSagamore Hin who
heard the conversation, which was La
fact declaration Of his platform.
Nation Must Make Call.
The colonel, with his characteristics
vehemence. had been talking OF MeE-
leo and other international problems
when the visitor interrupted.
you know. colonel" no said, X
may make up my mind that we viii
have to nominate YOU"
Like a flash the colonel turned to
his visitor: s
well, now, let me rive you a piece
Of advice" he said, pounding the
chair arm. IF you have any doubt
on the subject do not nominate me-
Get 1t perfectly clear in your head
that If you nominate me 1t must not
be because you think II In my inter-
est, but because you think 1t Is in
your interest, the interest Of the re-
publican party and to the interest of
the United States to do so.'
"AII Must 30 Pro U. s."
The colonel hesitated a moment
and then. putting into his utterances
all the vehemence he would have used
In a campaign speech. continued:
And more than that. don't you do
it If yoa expect me to pussy foot on
any single issue l have raised. Don't
be for me unless you are prepared to
say that every citizen OF this country
has got to be prohibited States first.
last and all the time and no pro-any-
thing else at all.
every American citizen must be
for America first and for no other
country even second. and he hasn't
any right to be in the United States
at all If he has any divided loyalty
between this country and any other.
mot For Unjust War"
Il don't care a rap for the mans
creed, birthplace or national origin.
am for him II he is straight United
States. and If he isn't l am against
him.
Il am not for war On the contrary,
abhor an unjust or a wanton war;
but I feel with all my heart that you
don't in the long run believe that you
are afraid to f!aht for your rights"