A CHAIN OF COINCIDENCE.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXXIII, Issue 15923, 8 May 1912, Page 8

A CHAIN OF COINCIDENCE.

Tny long arm of coincidence is pointing ominously towards Mr Roosevelt and some of his superstitious friends are shaking their heads gloomily. It was on February 26 that the newspapers announced the intention of the ox-President to enter the lists against Mr Taft in the struggle for possession of the White House. Mr Roosevelt had selected the day deliberately because it was a Monday, and be know, old campaigner that he is, that news of importance is generally scarce at the beginning of the working week. He wanted to be quite sure that his declaration would be the big feature of the morning journals In 'the days when he was President he nearly always had "something good” for tho reporters on Sunday afternoon or evening. No particular significance appeared to attach to the date, indeed, it is not in the least likely that Mr Roosevelt ever paused to consider it in tho light of history. But February 26 happened to be the anniversary of the day on which Napoleon escaped from Elba, and by a strange chance tho party leaders had decided previously that the Republican Convention, which will' determine Mr Roosevelt’s political fate, should meet on June 18. That day, of oourse, will be the anniversary of the battle of Waterloo. The Republican oommittee was much dismayed when attention was drawn to tho strange association of dates and it would have postponed the Convention had the step been possible. But by that time the arrangements were far advanced and the laughter of Mr Taft’s supporters was dreaded. Mr Roosevelt, it was realised, must brave the omen. People who attach importance to signs and portents will watch the presidential campaign with added interest, and at the present time it appears not at all improbable that the fateful day of next month will give them an impressive '"proof h of the truth of their belief that fortune must bo wooed and not defied.