New-York tribune., 1918-10-26
Effect, Many Hold, Will Be
Opposite to What
He Desires
Republicans Angry
Situation in Close States Said
to Have Dictated Presi-
dents Action
Especial Dispatch TO The Tribune


WASHINGTON, Oct. 25.-The effect
of the Presidents appeal to the elector-
ate may be precisely opposite to his
wishes, in the opinion of many political
exports here.
One rather bitter Democrat, who for
obvious reasons did not permit the
use of his name, commented upon the
fact that The President said the Repub-
Administration.
Docs that mean the Administration
Is antiwar?' he demanded.
The Joint Republican statement was
signed by the chairman of the Repub-
ilcan Senatorial Committee, the chair
man Of the Republican Congressional
committee, the Republican leader of
the Senate and the Republican leader Of
in the office of Senator Henry CABOT
Lodge, the Senate leader
Point to Lodges Standing
Republicans bitterly commented that
1t was rather striking that this state
nent in opposition to the President
should be drawn UP in the Office of such
forceful champion of the war as Mr.
Lodge, while the President was stating
that Republican victory in either
House might embarass him abroad. as
repudiation of his leadership.
MIR. Lodge is better known abroad.
probably, especially in England and
France" said one Republican Senator.
than any other member of the House
or Senate.
HE was known abroad before tho
war in Europe began, and he was known
particularly after the war began, but
before the United States got into it.
lie has been bitterly anti German since
the first day of August, 1914. He was
open IN his arraignments of Germany
and his desire for the United States to
get into the way on the side of the Al.
lies, constantly during the long period
When PRESIDENT wilson was urging neu-
trallty, even in thought, and writing
a long series Of notes about the Lusi-
tanla and other German outrages.
HE is man whom a Republican
Senate. should we capture that bodv.
would select as chairman of the Foreign
Relations Committee.
Does any one really believe that his
selection to that important post. of tre-
mendous Importance when the real
peace discussion begins, will embarrass
our allies? Does any one think Ger
selection ,"
Senate Control in Balance
The telling argument which is said
to have convinced the President of the
political necessity of issuing the state
undoubtedly, in the opinion of practi-
cally al his advisers, add certain
number OF votes to the Democratic
ticket all over the country,
Inc three very close states indicated
are Nebraska, Nevada and Montana.
Ihe fairly sure Democratic state is
Missouri, and the state where a pos
slbility is believed to have been Great
ed by the statement is Wyoming
In Nebraska Senator Norris is the
only member of the Wilful Twelve who
IS up for reelection this year. He is
opposed, the Republicans say, by man
whose kilograms and state ments dur
ing the period Just preceding the war
are worse than the votes ana speeches
of Senator Norris.
In Montana Senator Walsh is having
a hard fight, and is suffering, accord
ing to reports, more from the independ-
ent candidacy of Miss Jcannette Ran
KIN than is his Republican opponent.
In Nevada Representative Roberts.
according TO all reports, has seemed a
likely winner.
Seeks to Aid Senator Lewis
1t is said that the President was
also considering, in the Senate situa-
ton. the desperate fight Senator James
Hamilton Lewis is making in Illinois.
| The President is said to believe that
Mr.. Lewis has chance. though most
of the Democrats, in prophesying a
, Democratic Senate. do not include H.
| hnOis as one of their sure states bv
any means.
There is no doubt here of one thing
that the Presidents statement has
taken the lid right off the political sit
uation, and that the pot will boil from
now until election night with all the
strenuousness and bitterness Of an
old-time campaign. There will be no
soft pedal due to the fact that the
| country is engaged in the war