The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1919-04-08
WASHINGTON NEWS -
GOSSIP . sazsEEs sa22zs s1lEa:

Wiki by the government of the United
States. 1t is more or less difficult to
convey the impression that that has
created in Washington. The public
seems astounded and benumbed by II,
and there is pervading hopelessness
and despair about. At first, It was
thought unbelievable, but later cables
confirmed at greater length and did
not deny. Forward looking managers
of the Presidents PARTY were knock
ed Groggy by that startling news. and
they can but wonder what its effect
will be on the party's future.
This much they fear. II even such an
unthinkable event fails TO come to
pass. II 1t be not disproven that there
was such a purpose seriously consid-
cred as negotiations with Lenine, it
will spur the socialistic, allied-Bolshe-
visits and ultra-radical elements claim.
ed to be so numerous and potential in
the membership OF the DcnScratic
party to activities that will be, TO say
the least, embarrassing to it, If, indeed,
no. disastrous to 1t under Wilson in
1920 as they we're under Bryan in 1896
and following. 1t is startling fact,
but a true one nevertheless, that it is
openly discussed here among Demo
cratic leaders of national prominence
and influence that a working agree.
ment with the Socialists party in next
years campaign, under the party lead
ership of President Wilson, is not, by
any manner of means, al improbable.
| ity. The trend is all that way, they
/ say.
| Sentiment Is sharply divided in the
Capital over what plan the President
has mapped out for himself at the end
of his second term. There are many
who assert that 1t is his first ambition
to be asked by a League OF Nations. II
such Leageu is ever formed, to be its
first president or chairman, and there
are probably as many who say that he
will be candidate for third term
in the White House. There are also
not few who ascribe to him the dou.
Bile aspiration, with a nomination for
a third term held in reserve should the
League plan fail to work out. 1t can
hardly be said that there is anybody
in either party whose opinion on ma
tional politics is worth anything, who
believes that the President will volun-
tarily relinquish his control on his par
ty. 1t is almost universally held that
he aims to control up to and through
out its next national convention. II
he does not nominate himself, he will
undertake to name the nominee. In a
situation like that, bitter party fight
is seen to be inevitable and unavoid.
able. Neither the President nor the
opposing faction will rurrender. The
obstinacy of the President is known
to none better than it is to the leaders
of his party. They have been con-
fronted with it many time in the
past seven years.
In the event that the nominee is to
be somebody else, the talk in inner
party circles here is that Secretary of
War Baker is a likely heir apparent.
There is great deal of that kind OF
talk in Washington just now. For the
time being, Baker holds the converse
! tional spotlight. 1t is claimed that
! Wilson and Baker are much alike in
! their manner of thought; that Baker
is sufficiently radical and idealistic
to meet the Wilson. standards. The
widespread criticism OF Baker, it is
said, the President takes to heart as
a criticism of his administration in its
essential particulars; and OF him. the
President, personally in many of his
official acts. He is said to regard it
in the light of a challenge OF him.
That being the case, those who know
him best say that it would be natural
for him to take up Baker. Whatever
the reason for 1t, the fact is that there
Is lot of talk of Baker in connection
with the presidential nomination in
Washington at the present time
A candidacy on the part OF the Sec
rotary of War with the backing of the
President or without it, makes certain
fight. Baker would certainly be
most unacceptable to the conservative
wing Of the party, even more so than
Wilson himself would be. In add
ton, Baker would be most unaccepta.
BILE to many others. 1t is agreed tina;
the President could rot, unless he
dominated absolutely his party's con.
vention, as he has his party in Con.
gress up to the present time, put Bak.
er over. He hasn't, the hold on his
party in Congress now that he did
have, it is argued; he lost it last No.
vember.
The fight against Champ Clark is
totted up as an important preliminary
bout to the big event next year. 1t is
charged by the friends of Clark that