New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-11-08
WILSON SILENT
FACING DEFEAT
Refuses to Give Out State
ment on Hughes
Victory

Long Branch, N. j., Nov. s (Wednes-
day).-President Wilson received the
, news Of his defeat last night without
making a public statement II he ex-
( pressed his views he did so only to the
members of his household gathered
about him in the summer White House.
The President went to bed at 1890
o'clock this morning with his cam
paign managers here and in New York
claiming his election. He left word,
however, that if really definite re-
turns were received he should be
awakened.
Even when the first encouraging re-
ports began ticking in over the wires
of the executive Offices in Asbury PARK
it was announced that if there would
be an official statement it would be is
sued about midnight. When the re-
suit seemed to be pretty thoroughly
settled in Illinois and New York and
while there was still some doubt about
Ohio, Secretary Joseph p Tumulty an
nounced there would be no official
statement.
1--WE do not concede Ohio yet by a
long shot," he said.
Are you sure there will not be an
official statement" he was asked.
81 am sure there will not be-" he re-
piled.
1t was enormously reported several
times that the President had retired.
The atmosphere of the executive Of
fees at Asbury Park changed from one
of joyous anticipation to doubt and
then to gloom.
Late Figures Better
The gloom which enshrouded the Ex-
ecutive Offices gave way to a lively in
terest in the figures that came in soon
after midnight, showing strong Will
son vote in Utah, Nebraska and Cali
fornia. While Mr.. Tumulty and his as
sistants were figuring out new combina-
tions which spelled Democratic VIC
tory from these new reports, Mr.. Will
son was going to bed.
Just before he retired his secretary
telephoned him of the encouraging
news that was coming in.
"Were not dead yet" said Tumulty.
There's a good chance, and we're still
in the fight"
Starting with an unverified report
that the Republican National Commit
tee conceded 227 electoral votes to Will
son, the calculators reached the con-
clusion by dozen different methods
that Wilson was a winner by close
margin.
Apparently the President was the
most cheerful person here. Those who
talked with him said he showed no i'm
patience. He began receiving returns
shortly after 6 o'clock, and after eat
ing dinner with members of his family,
began getting them again. He waited
until he was called to the telephone
t. receive news.
1t was declared that the outcome of
the election will make no immediate
change in the Presidents plans. He
will go ahead planning for legislation
he desires at the December session OF
Congress.
Wilson Gets Early Start
The President was up at Tuesday
morning and had breakfast at 1881,
when the start was made for Princeton.
The President and Mrs. Wilson were |
the only occupants of the White House |
car. Behind II trailed another automo- 4
bile containing the Secret Service men,
followed by newspaper men IN tnlrd
machine. II was little after 8 O'Clock
when the party swung into Chamber
Street. Princeton. where they were con-
fronted by battery of movie cameras
When the machines dashed up 10 th' I
door of the polling place about nun
dred students were on hand TO cheer
the President. As soon as the secret I
Service men leaped out and made a !
ka q
Of his car and, smiling and raising his /
cap, walked rapidly into the hrehouse.
Thomas J. Preston, jr, professor
at Princeton, who married the Woo"
of Grover Cleveland, was just emerging
from one of the booths as James n.
Drake, judge of the poll, handed the
President his ballot. The President !
shook hands all around. He was nardly
more than a minute marking his pAiIos
and casting IL. IL was No. so: !
Mrs. Wilson wore a slight frown ana
appeared TO be little worried wnile
her husband was voting. She renamed
seated in one corner of the machine
with her cheek leaning on her ieiI
hand. She smiled broadly, however, as
soon as he emerged, and was greeted
with another locomotive cheer, some
what stronger this time by reason OF a
considerable addition TO the crowd. Inc
President grasped several hands and
shook them, but refused to answer the
calls for a speech.
The Presidents car travelled at !
speed varying from thirty TO forty 7,
miles an hour on the return trip, ana
the other machines were always more
than half a mile behind. 1t was GOOD
hour and a half ride.
Shadow Lawn was reached az ii, ana !
after a short rest luncheon was served /
The President announced he had moth
ing TO say further than that on Thurs
day, the same day that the executive
offices will be moved back to Wasning-
ton, he intends TO leave on VISIT 70
the home of his son-in-lsw, Francis b.
Sayre, in Williamstown, Mass.
Secretary Tumulty had gone TO ms
home in Jersey City TO vote, and dld
not reach Asbury Park until nearly !
o'clock. The President had finished MS I
golfng by that time and held briei i
conversation with his secretary, during /