New-York tribune., 1918-06-16
North Dakota Also Seeth.
ing in Fight Against Nom
Partisan League
Loyalty the Big Issue
Both States Torn With Bitter
ness and Battles ON Eve
of the Election
Special Dispatch to TIC rrbxne>


FARGO, n. D., June 15.-Primary
elections in Minnesota on Monday,
June II, and in North Dakota on Juno
as. in both OF which the National Nom
Partisan League, successful two years
ago in North Dakota, is 8 material
factor, will determine in large measure
the future operations Of that odd
agrarian movement
Never in its long history of intense
political controversies has Minnesota
seen such desperate campaigning as
that now rar drawing to a close. In
North Dakota, with the election still
ten days of, the campaign has reached
a heat seldom, if ever, before attained
in that state.
The III nnesota campaign for weeks
has been marked by street rioting, pic
mic battles, yellow painting expedi-
tons and numerous other incidents.
North Dakota so far has escaped any
thing more serious than the barring Of
Nol-Partisan league speakers from
meeting places.
Loyalty is the issue in both states,
+. with the whole fight ccntring in the
Republican primaries, into which the
Non Partisan League has entered its
candidates.
In Minnesota the principal fight CEN
tres on the Governorship, with Gov
ernor J. A. A Burnqulst opposed by C.
A. Lindbergh, former member of Con-
gress and author of "Why Your Coun-
t1y Is at War"
In North Dakota Lynn J. Frazier, the
present Governor, who was elected
with league backing, is opposed by
John Steen. the present State Treas
urer. There are complete tickets foY
state and Congressional Offices on both
sides in North Dakota, with a complete
state and partial Congressional line
up in Minnesota,
Book Storm Centre
In Minnesota Lindbergh's book, "Why
Your Country Is at War" written ir
July, 1917, after the United States had
declared war on Germany, is the storm
centre. MIR. Lindbergh in his bool
seeks to fasten blame for the war OF
"Wall Street" and Big Business" in
sisting thai America was "maneuvree
into position" where some of it!
war ensued He asserts bankers are
taking an interest in the Red Cross be-
cause OF the after-war benefits which
they will derive. Numerous othe,
phases of the war are touched upon il
a manner that has aroused tn,
loyal.sts
A. c. Townley, president Of the Ma
tional NonPartisan League. himsel
under Indictment in Minnesota fo1
graft obstruction, with several organ
hers. either under arrest or convicted
OF seditious utterances. also is storm
centre Of attack. Townley a forme.
~ Dol ~,
his fortunes with those of Mayor Val
Lear. the Socialist Mavor of Minneapo
u.s. and Ernest Lundeen, the Mime
sofa Congressman who voted agains
war and conscription.
On the other hand, Townley pro
tests his loya ty. ano depends upo
the boasted league membership Q
$4,000 in Minnesota to turn the tricl
next Monday.
Townley's plan to combine the labo
vote with the farmer vote received
setback this week in his failure t.
obtain recognition at the hands o
President Gompers's declaration
against the Socialist and the league
which he said he doesn't even war
to think about"
1t is in the rural districts and tn
small towns that the real campaign Q
bitterness has developed Autom,
blles carrying Lindbergh banners hav
been stormed time after time. libers
coats of yellow paint being daube
over the machines whose owners ha
the temerity to display the banner
In one instance Partisa
League candidate for the state Ser
ate was accused of waving a revolve
ct crowd that was tearing the ban
hers from his automobile. He is unde
arrest