The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-04-03

cv 0SSDUvrUes, NUICW V8NN VVsFUuty VetU
published In 1HE stN. showing the politi.
6cuth, East aud west.
OMAHA, Nch, April :.--Democrats Of
Hughes or Roosevelt. with Hughes hav-
ing the better OF the argument. and
Root. Burton. Fairbanks. Cummins and
others strung along far behind the two
anywhere Preparedness as the big nd-
tionsi issue in high favor with both par
ties In the East and along the coast,
with the Missouri Valley states only
lukewxrm statewide prohibition the
local issue in most Of those states where
prohibition is not now the law sorne law
that will make prohibition prohibit in
those States which already have pro-
hibition ~laws--such. In a nutshell. are
the findings OF a three months political
survey OF the country just completed by
a Nsn correspondent OF the Sew York
srN.
Tho survey was undertaken in an en-
tirely unprejudiced spirit with the pur-
pose OF finding the real sentiment of the
people toward national candidates, ma
tlonal issues and any condition that
might afcct the national conventions
and tho national election. with this
purpose. tl,e correspondent visited thirty
Of the most prominent States cast Of the
Rocky Mountains. lie talked with Cow
ernors. Senators. politicians. political
leaders. editors n ordinary voters.
Tho Wilson sentiment. the correspond
ent found. IL almost universal among
Democrats. The dissatisfaction Of Tex
ans and others along the Mexican bor-
dor all disappeared when American
troops were ordered TO cross the Rio
Grande. Whatever dissatisfaction re-
mains over fhc foreign policy Of tho Adj
ninistration H. not sufficient to cause a
ripple in the Democratic national con-
ventior.
with the exception OF headers" the
Progressivcs were found - have. re-
turned to the ranks OF the Republican
party. In most states the leaders OF
h Progressives were still holding out.
but The voters had returned to the fold.
In Louisiana, under the leadership of
Col. Parker. the Progressive party was
found to be up aud. coming with
Parker claiming his election as Gov
erncr over the Democratic nominee.
Roosevelt Weaker In West.
In former years Theodore Roosevelt
was very strong in the west-more 30
II In the East. This year tho cor.
respondent found the opposite to be true.
Rooeevelt's strength in the West has
weakened. Kansas used TO he looked
upon ~ a hothed OF R~ooseveltism. Kan
sas was the home of Rooseyelts chief
lieutenants. Here IL "a sample Of what
Kansas thinks now: 'Tf Roosevelt Is
nominated on the Republican ticket
said Mayor House of Topeka. I'm guar
antee q Republican club in Topeka Of
500 pledged 20 vote for Wilson I'll
guarantee "A Republican club In Kansas
Of 10000 pledged TO vote for Wilson
North Dakota Was formerly very
much" Roosevelt. Roosevelt lived in the
State at one time. To-day North Da-
kota ts for La Toilette. not Roosevelt.
Ie u doubtful II Roosevelt could carry
South Dakota. In a national convention
Iowa and Nebraska are for Cumnlns,
not Roosevelt In an election Iowa
might possibly so for Roosevelt: Nc
braska. never.
On the other hand the correspondent!
found the sentiment along the Atlantic
states pretty much Roosevelt. especially
among the politicians and the leaders
Thos delegations which will go to Chi.
cag un!nstructed from the States along
the Atlantic seabord and from the South.
ern States will he ready to jump &c
Roosevelt whenever the word lis given
unless there is a change in sentiment
from that which prevails at the presen,
time.
If We can get Hughes TO accept the
nomination We can elect him." was q
sentiment the correspondent heard OK.
pressed in practically every state visited
There Was oun considerable remit.
ment for Root. aud should New Yort
and the far East make a strong demand
for his nomination a number OF unin'
strlcted delegations would respond. The
same can be said of Senator Burton
Kentucky and Indiana were the onl,
States In which the correspondent foune
sentiment for F'a~irbanks-and the Re.
publicans OF neither state really wan
him as the nominee, although the dele
cations are instructed for him.
The German vote. to a large extent
the correspondent found. will he with
Wilson as against Roosevelt, but viii
be against Wilson under certain circum
stances.
Preparedness for national defence
the correspondent found to he populal
with both Republicans and Democrats
wherever it Is popular at all. Ant
wherever preparedness IL unpopular will
n side the same sentiment is enter
tanned by the other.
Along the Atlantic seabord and all IN
way around to Texas. az we'll as alonl
the Pacific coast, sentiment favored
tremendous navy. a big army, and heav,
coast defences. This was true anon,
Republicans as well as Democrats
But by the time the Mississippi an,
Missouri rivers valleys were reache,
much of this sentiment had disappeared
The people. neither Democrats nor RE
publ!cans, saw the need for 80 large
military establishment. They will stant
for some increase in all three branches
more in the navy than in the army
The big army project is particular.
obnoxious to them, however.
Tariff In Background.
Once In "A while some old stalwar
Republican or Democrat mentioned IN
word ''tarin," but In the main tarin /
not entering political discussions thi
spring. Far more of an issue than bot
tariff and preparedness IL prohibition
the correspondent found, From Sort
Dakota to Florida, from Vermont 4
Colorado. the prohibition question Iva
the country In an uprOnr.
While Just now each state Is hghtinl
it's own battle the question Is approach
ing a national issue. Local option obta In
in almost every State where statewid
prohibition Is not the law. B~ootlegginI
and interstate shipments under the pro
tection Of the Interstate Commerce com
mission prevail In all the prohibitio
States. whether local option or statewide
II IS IN An mort 10 prevent tir,a- null
hcatic.s OF the prohibition laws tina
these States having statewid. prohibit