Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1912-01-23
ALLIES FORM PACT
TO DEFEAT WILSON
AS PARTY LEADER?
Friends of Governor Think
Concentrated Attack Is
Being Made by Those Who
Fear He Will Get Nomination
BY RALPH SMITH.

By RALPH SMITH.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 2O.-Col Henry
Watterson. who is in Washington. re-
fuses to discuss the disclosure OF facts
leading up to the break between Gov
ernor Woodrow Wilson and Col. George
Harvey. editor of Harper's Weekly. TIE
colonel has been piled with questions
about the matter, but he has maintain-
ed a silence which is regarded as IN
usual for him. His attitude is re-
garded as peculiarly significant, in view
of the fact that it is alleged he was
present and overheard Colonel Harveyfs
suggestion OF meeting between Gov
ernor Wilson and Thomas f. Ryan. the
railroad and trust magnate of New York
Indeed, as the story goes. Colonel Wat
terson himself is responsible for the dis
closure, having recited the details while
in Charlotte. n. c.. attending BAN
quet,
SILENCE IS ADMISSIoN2
Governor Wilson'S friends in wash
ington are OF the opinion that '1darse
Henry would hasten to give positive
and emphatic denial to the use OF
Thomas F. Ryan's name If the report
were not well founded. His silence is
taken as an admission OF the truth OF
the assertion, even though he stands on
his original proposition Of discussing
nothing regarding the WILSON, Harvey 4
incident that doesn't come from q re-
sponsible source.
\ 1t seems that Colonel watterson re-
CARDS Governor Wilson as the only per-
son coming within his definition of re
sponsible." otherwise he would cert ain :
ly have taken notice OF the statement i
given out last night by w. p McCosnbs, /
OF New York. who is Governor Wilson's
campaign manager. In a word, il IS
beginning to look as If Colonel Waiter
son Is broiling for a controversy only /
with Governor Wilson himself
WILSON COMMENDED
In view of the disclosure about Thorn
as +. Ryan's connection with the Incl
dent. there are few, if any, persons IN /
Washington who do not commend Cover
O. Wilson's stand in the matter His
friends are positive that the country
will applaud him for declining tho al.
legged proposal Of Colonel Harvey that
Governor Wilson meet Thomas F. Ryan.
yghose position in the Democratic party
is likened to that of ]. Pierpont Morgan
in the Republican party
| Governor Wilson Is said to have
firmly, but politely, informed Colonel
y Harvey that he would not meet Mr..
Ryan, because he and .AlE. Ryan h2Snlf |
1sfe y. common. belonged 70 III Sqe1 =
schools OF political thought and th0aRllt
ldifferently about governmental msllefa
OF moment to the people.
Following this firm refusal or Gov
ernor Wilson to meet Thomas F. Ryan,
Colonel Harvey suggested that Perhaps
Governor Wilson might think that tho
support of the Harper's Weekly was In
juIious TO his campaign. Governor
Wilson answered frankly, Yes" in view
Of its backing. I
Colonel Watterson's statement rela-
tive to the Wilson, Harvey incident and
the disclosure OF Colonel Harvey's effort
to arrange a meeting between the gov
ernor and Thomas f. Ryan. have fur
nished the interesting developDlents OK
the week in the political game Next.
week gives promise tonight of proving
equally as interesting, and it Is probable.
that the enemies of Governor Wilson win
continue to fire at him.
ENEMY FEARS WILSON.
Governor Wilson just now occupies a
position somewhat similar to that &C.
cupied by Senator Hoke Smith, when
he was first a candidate for governors
Of Georgia. His four opponents realized
that he was making a runaway race OF
IL. and they conferred their guns OH him.
He was shot at and harassed from evervi
quarter. So 1t is with Governor wilson
today. All of the other prospective cam
didates evidently recognize that Gov
eTnor Wilson is making a runaway race,
and they have all turned their guns on
him.
1t is beginning to look very much like
the lamented fight OF "allies" against the
nomination of President Taft by the enc
mics of President Roosevelt -four years.
ago. 1t is well remembered how the big
interests of the country sought TO de-
feat Taft's nomination at Chicago bv
running a number of native sons, all OF
whom directed their energies at break
ing down the Taft. boom.
With view to making further at
tacks on Governor Wilson's record, III
is learned tonight that his Political
enemies, with the knowledge and con-
sent OF other candidates contesting for
the nomination, have searched his re-
cord with a fine tooth comb. They
have read and re-read his writings his
lectures and his public speeches, ex-l
tending back over period of years.
SEARCH WILSON'S RECORD.
While their labors have netted them.
little OF value, it is said they propose
now TO take excerpts from some OF the.
governors writings and by them at
tempt TO prove that he is the enemy
of the Roman Catholic church and OF
organized labor. II is planned 10
spring" these at intervals, beginninSi
at an early date. in the double hope OF
putting the governor on the defensive
IL possible, and of convincing party
leaders of his non-avaiIability for the
nomination. The unfairness OF tie
move is obvious, bat Governor Wilson 81
friends are not concerned over tile piau
Senator O'Gorman, of New York, him
self a Roman Catholic, is understood
to be aware of the purpose of the anti
Wilsonites. and in a quiet way is pre-
pared to do much to Offset it. He IS
familiar with Governor Wilson's wris-
ings, public speeches and lectures and is
entirely satisfied there is absolutely nOth-
ing in the claim that he has said or
done anything calculated to offend a.
good Catholic.
Governor Wilson himself Is said 10
be aware of the plan TO misrepresent
his attitude toward Roman Catholicism
and on his trip to Michigan he carried
with him his secretary, w. Field Malone.
who is prominent in the Catholic church,.
A9nother move which the Wilson
ties have under consideration is the
publication of a series of interviews
from prominent, Democrats Indicating
their opposition to Governor Wilson.
Some of these will come from persons