IS ROOSEVELT BEATEN?

Auckland Star, Volume XLIII, Issue 148, 21 June 1912, Page 4

IS ROOSEVELT BEATEN?

The latest advi«* from the SPat nf political war in America indicate that the fortunes of Tart are for the time in the ascendant. The characteristic a,s.-,er-tion. hailing from Chicago, that "the Roosevelt boom is ousted," may not be the whole truth and nothing but the ira:h: but for the moment the probability certainly to be that the Republican Convention win nominate Taft. But before the Bnal poll Is taken many things may happen. Tt is conceivable that the knowledge of impending defeat will demoralise Roosevelfs. supporter?, and that the claims of party discipline may cause a. "stampede" that will bring thpm into taft's camp, and secure ?. practically nnanhnoos vote in ! his favour. On the other hand, the tie which hinds Roosevelt's followers to him is -o strongiy personal that in spite of tbp strength of political traditions thpy may stick to him. even if he deSps Taft and insists on nominating- himself as wp.ll for the consideration of the Electoral College. If such a "bolt" actually takes place, it -Brill be extremely interesting to see how far the change in the situation will affect the Democrats. Radical as Roosevelt is, he is quite as acceptable to the average Democrat as most of the candidates whose claims the party has already discussed; and it is at least possible that if a deadlock supervenes in the Democratic camp over the conflicting claims of Woodrow Wilson and Champ Clark, the majority of the Democrats -will be prepared to take up Roosevelt's cause if he will throw himself into their arms, j Such a reinforcement would, of r-ourse.' ensure the triumph of the Roosevelt j party. But. in any case, the Democrats I are strong enough to take advantase of! any weakness nr wavering in the Republican rank=: and uniess Roosevelt's j followers decide to run with the i majority and support Taft, it is extremely probable that the division and discord in £he Bepaßßcan camp win result in the defeat of Taft and the elevation of either Roosevelt or a Democratic candidate to the Presidential Chair. ._