New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-10-16
G. 0. P. PREPARES
TO MEET DANGER
Efforts Directed at Soft
Spots in the Mid
West

here are preparing 70 put the last
ounce OF power into their campaign in
the coming weeks. While not admit
ting that there is serious danger, they
do consider that there is just enough
substance in the Democratic claims
that the "prairies are afire' 70 cause
serious concern.
Conditions in the West for some
time have been known 10 be spotted
due not so much 10 the strength OF the
Democratic campaign as TO weaknesses
on the Republican side. With the ex-
ception Of few notable states such as
Indiana, Republican organizations are
not working with the smoothness OF
former years.
In most of the states the Progress
sives have rejoined the party and may
be counted on for between 10 and 20
per cent Of their vote in November,
but they are not taking as active
part in the campaign as could be de-
sired For the most part they are
holding aloof The regulars noml-
mated Hughes and they are leaving his
election largely 10 them. They are re
serving their strength for the struggle
20 control the organization which Will
begin after November 7.
In some states, such as California
and Nebraska, the Progressives have
already won control. Here IL is the
"old guard" element that is holding of.
In Indiana, however. the Hughes ALI
ance has afforded an effective lnstru-
ment for welding the two factions and
for the period of the campaign at least
Of sinking their differences. Some
thing OF the same kind is urgently
l. Ms.Lsrvo- anA Wisconsin
Problem In Michigan
Michigan Progressives offer perhaps
the most stubborn problem with which
the national committee has to deal.
DissFection has spread from Repre-
sentative McDonald's district, in the
northern peninsula, while at Lansing
an active and well financed Progressive
publicity bureau has done much TO keep
alive fsctional discord. The labor stu
alton at Detroit, brought about by pros
perity and the Ford propaganda. IS also
creating trouble.
While not even Democrats are fool
hardy enough to claim as rock-ribbed a
Republican state a. Michigan. and one
that went for Roosevelt in 1912, still
the elements are disquieting. The Re
publican National Committee plans 70
centre NUCn OF us NVA n s44S4t u a. 44A ,
the next two weeks.
Ohio also has been taken over by the
national committee. and, beginning
with tomorrow, efforts will be made
20 pull together the badly disorganlzed
party. The Democrats are putting up
the best campaign they have ever made
in the state, while the Republican can
didates have been lighting and quarrel
. -af- Each
been running his own show without re-
gard 70 the others or 20 the interests
OF the national ticket Labor also has
been disafected. and the tariff, usually
a live issue in Ohio has had little ef-
feet.
At present Ohio must be put down
as being in worse shape than any Of
the Eastern or Middle states. Repub-
licans, however. declare that Novem-
Der will find it in its old place in line.
Indiana Made Safe
To these admittedly delicate condi-
tons Indiana offers q decided contrast.
A month or more ago Indiana was in
the doubtful colmn. To-day. notwith-
standing President Wilson'S speeches
in indianapolis on Thursday, It IL
thought 10 be as safe as Pennsylva-
MIA or New York Mr.. Hughes's trium-
phal procession through the state, COM
ing at the right time 20 cement the
work OF an especially efficient state or
ganization, turned the tide. The bad
record OF the Taggert machine, which
has been in absolute control OF the
state government for eight years, has
also aided in turning the people from
Democracy.
e u
the Middle West-perhaps the only one
in which there is no appreciable
"peace" sentiment. Not once during
President Wilson'S visit in Indianapolis
was there heard a single "he-kept-us-
out of-war" cry. Instead, It is a
state where Mexico Is really an issue.
This is largely due 70 exAmbassador
Henry Lane Wilson, who lives in the
capital and has toured practically every
city and town talking Mexico.
Women a Doubtful Factor
In Illinois there is some peace" SEN
tinent. For the first time women are
"a vote there for Presidential candl-
/ dates. And wherever women vote Dem
ocrats are figuring they are In the run
l ming A big drive" for this vote has
I been organized for Thursday. Presi
/ dent Wilson comes here then TO ad-
dres. 2 women's peace mass meeting al
the Auditorium, and every. effort IS
being made 70 make the affair the nnal
snarf needed 20 touch off the whole
West. "
There is Just enough danger in the
Illinois situation, in the, opinion OF OBJ
servers. for the Republican managers
10 be on their guard. A pecuiliia,r
division exists in the state. While
women vote for Presidential electors !.
thew do not vote for any Of the state
oescers except State University trus-
tees. Thus neither the Republican noI
he Democratic state organizatl0n
has TO pay any attention to the the
rorn.n's vote. Il is strictly up 20 the
nst;onal managers. And If captured by
one side or the other, their 10000
votes are sufficient to more t9 ,5at turn Iag
; 1nT ZION figures so far show the womer
is.ra1,o" enrolling with them. How
nearly that is true nobody knows n soS
the women are not saying muc'