The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-11-29
G. TAKES UP
FAVORITE SONS
After Col. Roosevelt Senator
Lodge Is Most Discussed
by the Leaders.
HARDING Is CONSIDERED
Knox, BOrah and johnson
Have Distinct Followings
in Capital Circles.
Special pespatch TO rHE srx.

Special Despatch TO TIE SUS.
WASHINGTON. Nov. 2S.--The pilots Of
Republican party destiny are looking
ahead even now and trying to pick up
the landmarks to guide them safely
into the haven Of the Presidency in
1920.
Ordinarily this preliminary activity
would not be noticeable for months to
come. The surprising success OF the
G. o. +. at the elections this month.
however, is interpreted to mean that
sentiment in the country is strongly
against continuing Democrats in
ment whom the chance comes to clean
house thoroughly.
The Republican helmsmen realize
that in 1920 they will not have to fight
the party of Jefferson and jackson and
Cleveland. From every present indi-
-cation the Democratic party will 60
into the elections of 1920 thoroughly
Wilsonized, and it is the problem of
these Republican leaders to fix on the
best man to beat Wilson, even though
he may not be the candidate, rather
than the best man to beat the older
Democratic ideas.
Lodge Looms as Candidate.
A number of possibilities as bearers
OF the Republican standard two years
from now, aside from Col. Roosevelt,
are already under discussion. Senator
Lodge Of Massachusetts,, Republican
Senate leader, who will occupy a posi-
ton even stronger than his present
one when the next Senate is organized,
is taken into consideration in these
discussions. The strongest objection
yet made to his possible candidacy is
his age. Before the Presidential cleo
ton date Is reached Senator Lodge
will have passed his SEVENTEEN BIRTH
day. This objection might be easily
overcome and discounted by the Sem
ator's record during the next two
years.
Another member of the Senate dis
cussed in this connection is Warren G.
Harding Of Ohio Senator Harding Is
admittedly strong in the middle West
"a qualification which many of the
other possibilities do not possess. As
1t is in the middle West that the bit
terest fight in 1920 Is expected. when
the Democrats will make a desperate
effort to regain the ground lost this
year. Senator Harding's strength in
that quarter is not to be passed over
lightly. However, he is not as we'll
known nationally as many other pos
sibuities Tor the nomination.
senator Knox Considered.
Senator Philander c. Knox of Penn
sylvania has claim to consideration.
too. His ability as a statesman has
been proved time and again and he
has received the votes OF some dele
gates TO practically every Republican
national convention of recent years
Senator william L. Borah OF Idaho
is another possibility. The recent tur-
moil into which he sought to plunge
the party through opposition to Sena-
tor Penrose and his followers has
initiated strongly against his chances,
however.
Among the possibilities at this time
being discussed is Senator Hiram
Johnson of California. His ability has
been demonstrated in the Senate in
only one big fight since he came there
and this self suppression has not been
an aid in making him a Presidential
possibility.
Roosevelt TO the Fore.
The man most talked about just now
as the Republican nominee in 1920
is naturally Theodore Roosevelt Re-
publlcans in Washington have had
very few opportunities to keep in
close contact with Col. Roosevelt but
his name is included in every private
list of 1890 prospects. Many Demo-
cratic leaders in Congress have al
ready convinced themselves that he
is TO he the nominee and are begin
ming to shape their plans on this
hypothesis.
The war has injected two other pos
sibilities. Gen. John J. Pershing Is
talked of as in the running. although
there is a wholesome fear that Gen.
Pershings whole life and experience
are contrary to forming the sort of
character demanded in the Chief Ex-
ccutive OF the nation.
Major Gen. Leonard Wood is the
other possibility brought forward by
the war The treatment given him
and his personal popularity were made