Great Falls daily tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1895-1921, 1919-06-28
TAT 7 SAYS NOT
PRESIDENTIAL
CANDIDATE
Is Too Busy Now With
League of Nations
Movement.
Thinks Republicans
BETTER GET ON WAGON
BY Charles N. Wheeler.
Chicago Tribune Service.

Chicago. June 27.-Former President
of Governor Lowden, discouraged his
Chicago admirers who thought possibly
he might seek the republican nomination
for president next year. He told them,
that he was not candidate, that he
had not been and that he wouldn't, get
very far if he should be.
II am having the time Of my life," he
said. Il am doing just as l please, say
ing whatever | please, and am free to
l am really enjoying myself a great deal.
Il am not thinking of domestic poll.
tics. 1 haven't been doing it for some
<2ne now and don't like to discuss
domestic politics. that is, party politics,
at this time.
"Of course, I realize, as any ordinary
observer does, that my championship Of
the league of nations has been such as
to ALLEVIATE the support of powerful lead
ers of the party. l have undoubtedly
alienated many former friends who will
have considerable to say in the next re-
publican convention.
Were / to seek the nomination I
don't think would get very far, and it
is pleasant to feel that I don't have to
worry over that for I am not seeking
the nomination.
Il am giving all my thought now to
the league Of nations. / hope the Knox
resolution viii be defeated and that the
covenant will be ratified by the senate
TT should not be party issue. 1t is
an American issue, and If the senate
will ratify the covenant as an American
issue it will not be an issue in the cleo
tion next year. If the senate refuses to
ratify it and sends the treaty back for
further amendment, it surely will be
thrust into our national election as an
issue that will overshadow many domes-
tic issues that should be given careful
thought next year.
II believe the republican party stands
a good chance of winning next year,
even though we do blunder. on the league
of nations. Even If that is an issue the
republicans appear to be in pretty fair
shape owing to the domestic league.
But / do believe that 1t viii make it
much easier for US to elect republican
president next year II we will have the
foresight and good sense to approve this
covenant right away and take it out of
next years campaign.
But however this may be, I am not
a candidate. Many Of the leaders Of my
party would not support champion Of
the league of nations, and in taking that
they are opposing the history
and traditions Of the republican party.
The republican party has been the
party that has stood for world brother
hood for bringing the nations together
in closer bond of friendly relations,
both politically and commercially.
The democratic party has been the
provincial party Of the United States.
1t has been opposed to expansion, to
world brotherbnpd RI the princinles ~
the league of nations.
The republican party can with per-
feet consistency support the covenant at
this time, and by so doing would be up
holding It's traditional aim of bringing
peace and commercial development to
all the nations Of the earth.
I'm any event, / hope the league issue
will be taken out of our domestic poll
tics next year BY the ratification of the
treaty and league covenant by the pres
ent congress"
Mr.. Taft said he was having many
amusing experiences. He smiles and
chuckles as he recalls them. and gives
the impression that he really isn't wor-
rying over domestic politics.
"One friend came TO me after one Of
our meetings." he said. "and asked me
quite seriously if l would take the nomi-
nation for president. told him that he
was getting little ahead of the process
sion, that it was first necessary to have
the nomination before deciding whether
you wanted to decline it. Then told
him, more seriously, that that was the
ming farthest from my thoughts. that l
was wholly absorbed just now with the
world question and that he should for
get domestic issues until We had laid
Continued on Page Two).