Omaha daily bee., 1916-06-06

| AMNN'hH'NNN - RAtA = "t N~ANtf
publican party, declared that many
! delegates instructed for others were
ready 10 turn their votes TO him after
the first ballot.
| The lack OF controlling leadership
by the men who have composed the
old guard is emphasized on every
hand, They express themselves as
favoring Justice Hughes because
delegates bringing first hand reports
believe he can be the harmonizer who
can bring in the progressive strength.
On every hand explanations are
sought OF the failure OF sentiment for
| Colonel Roosevelt TO crystalline A
week ago those who opposed the
nomination Of Roosevelt were fear
full OF a stampede to him, but now il
is said that is impossible. Many can
not understand what brought this
change.
Hundreds Not for Roosevelt.
Republican leaders after canvass
today declared Colonel Roosevcts
ultimate strength would not be more
than 200 delegates, and they believe
the number would be nearer $50 dele
gates. Ii is asserted that the remain.
ing $50 or 800 delegates would not
vote for him under any circumstances
Ii was pointed out that when state
delegates were selected il was known
that Roosevelt would be a strong
factor and probably candidate Men
were chosen who were believed 10
be for harmony, which leaders say is
not synonymous with Roosevelt, and
are regarded, therefore, as not OF the
stampedeable type. The great mass
Of the delegates are uniustructed and
are counted on to vote for any man
who can bring a majority Of the pro
gressives back 10 the republican fold.
Demand for Statement Wanes.
Talk Of demanding pre-conven-
ton statement from Justice Hughes as
candidate OF his nomination vir-
tually has been abandoned. II is gem
orally agreed, however, that the JUS
tice, II nominated, Immediately will
make a satisfactory statement.
In diseouraging proposals OF a pre-
nomination statement from Justice
Hughes, his supporters point out that
addresses made before he went on the
bench shows him TO be for prepared
ness and sound issues from a party
point OF view.
Word has gone out from Governor
Whitman's quarters that it is futile
to look forward TO any spectacular
eleventh-hour move OH the part Of
those who are demanding the jur-
lists nomination. No one will go to
Washington, said Governor Whitman,
to induce Justice Hughes TO send a
"Hight before the battle" message.
Governor Whitman made il clear
that no one Of the men fighting for
the nomination OF Justice Hughes
have had any direct word from him
that their efforts have his approval.
IT was reiterated that neither Cover
nor Whitman, who shares with For
mer Postmaster General Hitchcock
the leadership OF this Hughes move
ment, nor any other man has been
delegated by Justice Hughes TO work
for his nomination.
On every hand there seems to be
sentiment TO avoid making the nomi-
nee the campaign issue and 20 select
some one on whom republicans and
progressives can agree so the word
will go out TO the country that the
party has been rehabilitated by the
uniting Of factions which split il four
years ago. II is realized that OF all OF
the possibilities, Colonel Roosevelt
has the greatest personal following,
but at the same time he has the most
enemies. The republican leaders
charged that many voters would be
alenated for one or more OF sew
eral reasons.
The conviction that Colonel
Roosevelt would not be able TO re-
unite the party has led to general
declarations in favor Of some strong
nan whose nomination would be a
signal to the country that the fac
tional strife has been ended.
The situation respecting Roosevelt
and Hughes contains all the nee
essary elements to produce a dark
horse candidate, but there are so
many strong men among the fayorite
sons that the possibility OF the Sc
lection Of someone yet unme itioned
is minimized
All forces are careful not TO ex-
press hostility to Colonel Roosevelt
or to say anything which would make
II impossible for progressives to come
back into the party II is recognized
that Colonel Roosevelt can prevent
the nomination OF any one or two
men who may be urged by republican
leaders, but that should he attempt
10 go further than this and. as some
say scratch the whole ticket" the
convention would be very likely to
proceed without giving further con
sideration TO his views.
In saying that Roosevelt could
prevent the nomination OF any one
or two men, Justice Hughes is not
excepted, but those who are Tor him
profess 20 believe Roosevelt would
not 20 SO far as TO say in advance
that Hughes was unacceptable Ii his
nomination seemed certain The al
titude ~ men taking this position Is
summed up by their statements mat
they want Colonel EaasrVelttg hetp