The Washington times., 1916-01-17
Persistent Reports Commoner
Trying to Induce Speaker to
"Bury, the Hatchet."
UNLIKELY TO FIGHT WILSON
Head Of House, It Is Stated,
viii Run Only # President Is
Not Candidate.

The political atmosphere in washing
ton for days has been thick with rumors
touching the Democratic Presidential
situation. These reports center about
the efforts Of Bryan to oppose Presi-
dent Wilson for denomination. and his
indirect approaches to Speaker Clark In
the hope that the Speaker will forget
what Bryan did to him at Baltimore
and forgive the past in the expectation
Of gaining Bryan's support for the
Democratic nomination this year.
Into the situation has entered the one
term issue, which by reason of the dis
closure of the letter of the President
to A. Mitchell Palmer. has been much
discussed. However. the one-term ques-
tion, II is recognized by practical poll
ticians. Is academic and not vital. and
the friends Of Wilson point out that
with a strong movement on to re-
nominate Colonel Roosevelt for what is
commonly referred to as a third term.
1t is hardly worth while to discuss the
question whether Wilson is bound to
one term.
Clark Rumors Worry.
Uneasiness has been caused in Admin
istration quarters by gossip and rumors
of all sorts that Clark will unite with
Bryan to an extent to bring about the
defeat of Wilson and secure the nomi-
nation of Clark. The Administration
leaders would like to smoke out the
Speaker completely and find out more
about the Bryan plans Much of the
gossip finding It's way to print is said
to be inspired By this purpose.
Close friends of Speaker Clark have
no idea he is going to make a fight
against Wilson or listen to the siren
song of the Commoner.
There isn't one chance in a hundred"
said a close friend OF the Speaker to-
day: that be will make any attempt
dent Wilson Is a candidate" f'
The situation which Speaker Clark
and his friends are keeping an eye on.
however. is the possible decision Of the
President not 20 run again
Some Of the advisers of the Spea ker
have persisted VITA a persistence which
other folks have thought strange, that
President Wilson would not run again.
They have said for months that the
President would no. be a candidate and
Clark would be the man nominated. In
this connection, some Clark men tell
the story that not merely Bryan. but
other leaders in the Democratic party,
have let the Speaker know they are
sorry now they did not name him at
Baltimore.
Will Not Fight Wilson.
Not the slightest question need be
raised that If President Wilson should
ALL E,,a l. -
would be found with their preparations
complete to nominate the Speaker. They
have not been sleeping. On the other
hand. there is every reason to believe
that il Wilson stavs in the race. as
him to. the President will win renomina-
tfon. Speaker Clark will not fight him.
unless he abandons his present attitude.
What the Wilson men and other poll
ticians. Democrat and Republican. can
not find out to- their satisfaction is ex-
actly what Bryan is going to do. That
he Is going to war on Wilson to the
point Of opposing preparedness and
clear. That he intends by speech and
editorial to foment trouble for the Presi-
dent Is plain. That he will insist on
trying to shane the Democratic platform
AS to lighting the Wilson nomina-
3lon. 1t is not clear how far he will so.
That he would gladly see Clark named
in preference TO Wilson, Is stated with
confidence by many Clark men. and
that he would undoubtedly grab the
nomination himself If he saw the way
open. is also predicted with equal con-
tidenCe.
Believed To Be Waiting Events.
1t is the belief Of the best informed
political leaders here that the Com
moner and former secretary of State
simply is waiting on the course of
events as to the Presidential nomina-
tion itself. That is. he Is down at
Miami watching closely all develop
ments and helping on anything that
promises to embarrass the Administra-
tion. Whether he Is TO run himself, he
will let the events of the next few
months, especially those relating to
preparedness. determine. it Is said.
He is not expected to pit himself as
o candidate against Wilson IL he fore
sees sure defeat. and there is little
doubt this is what would happen to
him. One of the most serious possibili-
ties, as the Democratic leaders here
see 1t; is that after vain hght to
have his way in platform and other
matters at st. Louis, Mr.. Bryan will
polt and run on an independent ticket.
following practically the course of
Roosevelt in 1872
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