FIGHT FOR THE PRESIDENCY.

West Coast Times, 14 June 1912, Page 3

FIGHT FOR THE PRESIDENCY.

OUR CABLED ITEMS

ROOSEVELT’S PARTY BECOMING DESPERATE.

REPUBLICANS THREATEN TO ■ SPLIT VOTE. • ,I’Eli PRESS ASSOCIATION.—COPYRIGHT/ NE WYORK, Juno 13. President Taft has so far secured 12S of tlie contestant votes at the Chicago Convention. Mr. Rooievclt’s supporters are indulging in violent recriminations against tho Committee. One caused an unprecedented sensation by declaring that if Mr. Taft were nominated, it was possible that tho Roosoveltors would divide the Republican vote in the National contest by throwing the selection to a Democrat.

Mr Roosevelt, in a speech at Oyster Ray, said ho intended to submit an unequivocal declaration in favour of women’s suffrage to tho Chicago Convention.

[On June lOtli a cable message from Now York reported that unofficial figures gave the voting at the Chicago Republican Convention to be;— Colonel Roosevelt ..; 410 President Taft 355 Mr. Roosevelt’s lead was then ... 61 Votes to ho decided 132 The National Committee was reported to bo strongly’ favouring the nomination of President Taft. Hie splitting of tho Republican vote would bo fraught with serious consequences to that groat Party, as the following figures, showing the votes polled at tho 1908 Presidential election, will indicate: Taft (Republican) 7,078,183 Byran (Democrat) 6,407,340 Debs (Socialist) 426,335 Chafin (Prohibitionist) 248,881 Hisgain (Independent) 83,688 Watson (Popularist) ... 29,144 Preston (Labour Socialist 13,709 Total votes 14,887,838