Evening star., 1919-04-21
MISSOURI BELIEVES
Mr.. REED SINCERE
Admires Fighting Qualities of
Senator; Resents His 0p-
position to League.
DEMOCRATS FEAR SPLIT
BY DAVID LAWRENCE.

KANSAS CITY. Mo, April 21.-Thi'
is the bailiwick of James A. Reed
democratic senator from Missouri
who has fought the leader of hi:
party on many an issue in the las
few years and has now come to the
climax of that opposition by dra
matte fight against the league of ma
tions.
1t is easy to say that the league O.
nations. II submitted to a referendu:
in Missouri, would win. But tina
doesn't dispose of Mr.. Reed. There ar,
those who believe he has gone too fal
to right himself politically and thai
the democrats will never renOminate
him. But the Kansas City district j:
where Mr.. Reed has fought many
battle in the public eye and they have
respect and admiration here for his
fighting qualities. His following ha:
not deserted him, though many of his
admirers think he has made mis-
take.
They like Jim Reed. and when he
gets out on the stump or STANDS or
the platform of that huge convention
hall here, his spellbinding carries en-
thusiasm which isn't exceeded by
anything this city is in the habit OF
giving to presidential personalities.
No Desire to Punish Him.
So it may be said Kansas City. lik-
ing Jim Reed, would not favor pun
ishing him for his attitude by any at
tempt to read him out of the party.
Other sections of othe state think 9TH
erwise. Republicans, of course. don't
elect democratic senators. so an IN
quiry into Mr.. Reeds strength can be
obtained only by a canvass of the
democratic county and precinct lead
hn in
and file of the people. To ascertain
the feeling of democrats generally. a
confidential letter was sent out by
democratic headquarters. County
chairmen were asked whether they
believed a party convention should be
held to indicate whether the state
agreed with Mr.. Reeds view Of the
league of nations or President Will
sons.
The answers were, of course. not
written with an eye to publication, so
they represent not merely how the
democratic party feels about Mr. Reed,
but how both republicans and demo-
Gratis appear to think on the subject
of the league, for each county chair
man gave his own estimate of the at
titude of the voters of the opposite
party as well.
In other words, the batch of letters
of which was able to get possession
today reflects what the state of Mis-
souri, thinks about the league of ma
tions. Most of them favor the league.
Many of them are doubtful about
a convention. fearing it might
split the party by producing a fac
tional fight. Some suggest that the
league controversy will be out of the
way soon, that bygones had better be
bygones and that il a fight is organ
lied on Mr.. Reed he might develop an
Independent faction and the party's
chances for victory in this state in
1920 would be ruined.
Republican Strength.
AS for the democratic party's
chances next time. well. a democratic
editor in Missouri. who ought to
know. but who Wouldn't. of course
say at publicly. told me that If the
election were held tomorrow the re-
publicans would have a walk away.
Examination of some of these let
ters from the county chairmen, how
ever. shows what tremendous
strength the league of nations has as
a non-partisan question, and demo-
Gratis have feared that any party con-
nize republicans. Here is an excerpt
from one letter:
II am satisfied that at least IS per
cent of the democrats in this county
are for a league Of nations and are
with President Wilson. Also a vast
majority Of democrats are against a
at this time to condemn
by resolutions James A. Reed and
produce faction in the party that
will certainly make US minority
party when the nomination for United
States senator In made in four years
When the democracy gets to Mr..
Reeds case, we are firmly convinced
that they will show him his proper
standing in the state among his con-
Of their confidence"
"Has Lost His Standing"
Another letter says:
While the democrats feel strongly
the shame Of the course pursued by
Mr.. Reed, not only in opposing the
peace league. but in opposing nearly
all OF the Presidents policies since he
has been in the White House, we feel
that Mr.. Reed has lost his standing
with the state democracy and cannot
come back But to call state con-
Vention at this time to pass upon the
opposition Of Mr.. Reed to the Presi-
dents peace policy would seem to
dignity Mr.. Reed out of all proportion
to the effect his course is having upon
the world events that are transpir-
ing"
Many other letters advocate the call
ing of a convention and say their coun-
ties are back of the league ito a man."
In only one county was the statement
made that sentiment was divided with
"a majority probably against the
league"
Another says: You can rest as
sured of one thing, and that is that
not only the democrats of southeast
Missouri, but more than so per cent
of the republicans. stand right square
behind the President. and are clamor-
ing every day for him to run for a
third term"
This particular county chairman
adds. as an after thought, however,
concerning the third term: But as a
lifelong democrat, / do not think this
is best"
One county chairman dwells' con-
siderably on the danger that a party
convention might be misunderstood as
a partisan attempt to make capital out
of the league of nations controversy.
He says:
IF the democrats make this a party
matter. such action cements republi-
cans. and the result will be to the
damage of our country, for 1t will les.
sen and might destroy our opportunity
of securing league of nations"
Largely in Favor of League.
So the consensus of Missouri demo-
Gratis would seem to be very largely
in favor of the learue and thov ~;