Evening journal., 1918-02-12
10 PRO-GERKAN As
Republican LEADER
National Committeeman Re-
iect Adams After Dis
closures Are Made
CALLED PEACE
MEETING IN WEST

ST. LOUIS. Feb i2-John T. Adams,
vice-chairman Of the Republican Ma
ilond Committee, with personal pledges
Of support from thlrty-iwo Of the nfty-
three members OF the committee for the
chairmanship, TO succeed William r.
Wilcox, was practically forced out Of
the race yesterday after the rccoro of
his pro-German sympathies had been
read 30 the leading members Of the Ma
iional Committee by senator Calder, OF
New York
The race now is an open one, but
the chances favor VIII n. Hays. OF
Indiana. whose battcrs are certain that
he meets the requirements OF the posi-
tion more fully than amy person that
can be name,
The dep resentment on the part OF
the friends OF Nicc-Chairman Adams
over his forced and sensational retire
meat may result In some man beng
chosen for the charmanship whose
name has not been discussed. 10 may
go 10 Frederick =. sterling, chairman
Of the Republican State Committee Of
+ Illinois. or Rudolph X. Hynickn, mem
her OF the national committee from
ohio, or some dark horse.
The thing that seems absolutely GER
tain, In view of what happened behind
closed doors in senator penrose's
room in the Planters Hotel. Is that Mr..
Adams cannot wn. and the strong
probability is that his name will not be
presented for considerl ton.
The developments which threw con-
fusion into the ranks Of the Adams
men were intensely dramatic.
The friends Of Mr. Adams started
their days work Of making sure Of the
election Of their champion. who had
thirtN-two pledged votes. All they had
10 do was 10 hold these In line.
There was a morning conference OF
the committee. preceded by session
Of the executive committee, al which
was heard contest from Mississippi
The morning coference was more for
the members 10 talk things over and
size things up than anything else.
Immediately following this came q
summons for the leaders 30 meet 10
the room Of Senator pcnrose FOR an-
other conference. After the doors were
closed. Senator Calder arose and said
that personally he had no interest In
the political ambitions Of any candt
: date for the chairmanship. but. that
like other Republicans. he was eX
tremely desirOus OF seeing The righ'
choice made.
lie said that be had recently receive'
- letter from Herbert Parsons, wh'
5 transmitted information 20 the effec
! that it might not be wise 20 choos
r. Mr.. Adams for chairman. Senator Cal
d der said that he sent a messenger I
Dubuque. Iowa. Mr. Adamss hon
r town, and there consulted the nlcs
r a daily paper Telegram and in if
p columns Of that paper In the issue
= August 81, 1914. found a letter rurpor
2 ing 10 be signed by John r. Adam
and purporiing TO have been write
Il In Germany, while Mr. Adams wa
4 travelling with his wife and famil,
}. senator Calder thereupon read iho lei
d ter.
. The letter. IT, was said by those ,yh
! heard il read, assailed England in Oh
bitiercst terms. and attacked Lor
Grey and others
This was not ALL Senator Calder sail
q that the files of the same paper carriel
l an advertisement Tor peace meetinl
p TO be attended by the citizens Of Du
] buque, Immediately after the SINKING
2 Of the Lusitania. and this advertise
j ment was signed by John T Adams.
Il wish 10 distinctly understood
said Senator Calder, that I have M
personal feeling of resentment iowarl
Mr.. Adams I am thinking Of him a
! this moment purely as a candidate fo
J the chairmanship OF the Republican
, national committee. ] submit ITO yol
I gentlemen that in the light Of what
have Just read, II would be the heigh
, Of folly for us 90 elect chairman
: whose record was one Of iho mos
. painful incidents Of our dinorenc
with the Imperial German Government
would place him on the defensive am
destroy his influence with very man
.. ~ the voters of the United states
There was period ~ silence. whicl
At last was broken by Fred w. Esta
4 brook. Of New Hampshire. who ros
and said 81 have been one OF Nh
Adams staunchest supporters. hVt Il
=. the light of what we have just hear
from the senator from New York.
81. feel that I must withdraw my SUP
h port
i y Ralph f. Williams Of oregon. vice
chairman. Adams campaign manager
arose and tried 10 .deply TO Estabrool
but was so overcome that he could ma
talk. After he had got control Of hin
self he said: "ln the light Of what d
y has written. feel that perhaps It wi
j. be wise for me 20 withdraw my sur
l. port"
'- William n. Crocker Of California
j. said that while the letter put VI
'- Adams IN a rather compromising pos
j. tion. he still thought the committe
s would better go ahead and elect him.