New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-10-16
From , st.r co--.oond,n, u IN. rrbuns


weeks campaign Of Charles Z. Hughes,
almost entirely in the "enemy's coun-
try" has strengthened the belief Of
Republican leaders that he would be
elected into almost perfect confidence.
Already Alvin T. Hert, Western man
ager of the Republican campaign, in
whose territory the hardest battles
have TO be fought, is predicting victory
by a majority of fully 100 votes in the
Electoral College.
Such a forecast in mid-October is
admittedly hazardous. Careful politi-
cal students who have followed closely
in the wake of the Hughes campaign,
however, declare there is an evident
drift in his favor, not only in the
doubtful, but also n normally Demo
cratic states. Republican optimists ex-
pect it 70 develop into a ground swell
by November :.
The Republican leaders find it sim
pier 20 state this conclusion than 10
analyze it. The character of the
Hughes receptions enters into il only
70 a slight degree. The principal fac
tor, they feel. has been Mr.. Hughes
himself. They declare he is present
ing his views on issues in which people
are interested with surprising clarity,
and that he impresses them with IN
questionable sincerity and a determine
ton tat is forceful and convincing.
Public Has Walked Up
A. the end Of the Hughes coast-to-
coast trip there were many skeptics
among the Republicans. When he fin
ished mis- second tour the verdict was
that he had caught on" Now il is
declared no doubt remains that the
campaign, which at first threatened 20
be listless, will wind up with all the
fire any one might desire. Democratic
hecklers have added 20 the interest, and
instead Of embarrassing Mr.. Hughes
have drawn him out.
The principal issues emphasized by
Mr.. Hughes on his tour through New
Jersey, Pennsylvania Maryland. West
Virginia. Kentucky. Missouri and thus
far in Nebraska have been the Adam
son law, Wilson's New Freedom;
his foreign policy, the "he-kept-us-out-
ofwar" issue. the tariff and war pros
rerity. On this trip he has campaigned
in states that have a total electoral
vote of l07. The early tabulations put
Missouri and Kentucky in the sure"
Democratic column, Nebraska, New Jer-
sey and Maryland in the doubtful list,
and labelled West Virginia and Penn
sylvania as sure Republican.
Nebraska is the most critical OF these
seven states. The Democrats are
claiming the state BY 10000. but the
Republicans are confident of electing
John l. Kennedy TO the Senate. and
viii not concede anything more than an
even break on Hughes.
State Likes Wilson
On national issues the Democrats
seem happy enough in this Bryan bal
iwick. There is evident feeling that
Wilson is all right; that he did keep
the country out of war. and. most
potent OF all. that he secured through
Congress rural credits legislation that
vitality benefited the enormous farm
element. This last is the principal diff
Hcultv which the Republicans have TO
overcome.
Tho situation, however. il compli,
Gated by local issues and factionsl
fights in the Democratic camp, which
give the Republicans grounds for hope.
Bryan is bitterly opposed 20 Senator
Gilbert NJ Hitchcock, the Democratic
nominee for reelection, while his oppo-
rent, Kennedy, a former Representa-
tive. ia supported By a united RepubN-
can organization and many indepen-
dents. Moreover, Kennedy and A. L.
sutton, Republican candidate for Gov
ernor. are on a dry" platform, prohl-
bition is the all-engrossing state issue
and every indication points TO dry
state a fter November I.
President Wilson'S peace talk at
Omaha and his peace policy have taken
strong hold here. Mr.. Hughes laid the
most emphasis on that issue yesterday,
and Is expected 70 make himself still
clearer tomorrow. He is endeavoring
10 show Nebraskans that il IS better
ard safer 20 maintain American rights
than 20 let the national honor De
preciate He is counting against the
strength Wilson draws from the agn-
cultural bills by attacks on the Adam
son law, and last night warned the
frrn,ers in his audience that they will
pay the freight" when rates are IN
ceased 70 meet the higher wages
cranted by the law. Mr.. Hughes gave
The Democrats credit for the rural
credits law. but he also impressed on
The farmers that war prosperity IS not
. LtdlLIJ-
Hughes Makes Big Impression
Republican leaders were Immensely
nleased with the success Of the Hughes
doctrine here. In spite Of the satisfac-
tom with Wilson here, the reception
accorded Hughes was one Of the great
est in years. -
The German vote Is Of great i'm
portance in Missouri. The Democrats
are trying to minimize the danger by
the assertion that 1t IS Republican any
how. In the next breath, however, tney
will say there is a perceptible drift OF
German sentiment toward Wilson. Re
publican leaders scOff at the confident len
claim Of the Democrats that they VII WI
carry the state for Wilson by oo,QOV.
Indications from the Hughes trip, they
saw not based alone on the enthusl,,
asiiic demonstrations il, Springfield ana ana
Jonlin. are that Mr.. Hughes now mas
something more than an outside
chance -,