The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-03-01
MOVE STARTED
TO ELIMINATE
TAFTAT ONCE
Leaders Want a Candidate
Entirely Free From
Wilson Idea.
BORAH MAY ENTER RACE
To Back Americanism With
p out Trace of Internation-
alism or Socialism.
BORAH MAY ENTER RACE
BY star Correspondent Of THE Sun.

BY a StdG Correspondent Of THE Sun.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 2s.-Several Re-
publican leaders will meet soon after
the adjournment of Congress, probably
IN Chicago. to select as the Republican
candidate for President in 1920 a true
ring American who will stand fast
against internationalism.
This fact was divulged to-day by
Senator's who will attend the confer
ence, johnson (Cal). Borah Gdaho),
Kenyon Ua.) and Norris (Neb) among
them. The conference, preliminary
and tentative in scope, will be held
aboiit the last of March. II present
plans hold good 1t may be the most i'm
portspt political episode OF the season.
Thbs fact is known that the pri-
eliminate William H. Taft from any
further consideration. Alarmed by talk
drifting westward that Mr.. Taft again
wilf u a candidate. and that he can
reckdE son substantial support, the
progressive Republicans are deter
mined that this shall never be. They
are actuated not at all by memories OF
le1albut by the present situation into
which sr. Taft has injected himself.
~ %pposition to Taft.
4 ThS ex- President is now definitely
alignSd 10 supporter OF internation-
Sissrn- -H .pro,Actasss OF the meeting
sey. and Virtually has allied himself
wsth woedrow Wilson. So far as
broad politics are concerned, they add
MI Wilson and Mr.. Taft are in the
sanie party. The mere notion that Mr..
raft might be forced upon the Eepub-
iican partyor might constitute himself
a dargerops candidate at the National
Convention OF 1920 gives the West a
chill.
The attitude OF these Senators is that
the old names must be rejected and that
a new champion. inspired with the spirit
OF the timef, must be elected. They have
not yet get to the' point of naming
names. There is talk OF Borah. natur-
ally; more and moro talk since his
speech against the League OF Nations.
There is talk OF Johnson and OF Gov.
Allen Of Kansas. This touches on the
growing belief that it would be wise for
the Republican party to accept a leader
out OF the West.
The big bpsiness of the Chicago con-
ference poAtsids of making 1t plain that
Mr.. Taftlwen't do, will be to assert the
principlssstAa at the chosen champion must
follow. &4'
PlfAcIpIes for Fight.
First andTforemost in the list of
principles VII be Rooseveltian Ameri-
can!sm. The progressive Republicans
who haye d<vised this conference will
not toleSs1t l. candidate for President
who leaDs ser so slightly to any scheme
or programme that would surrender
American sovereignty or rights to some
inchoate International tribunal. They
will declare. it was learned to-day. for
such immediate domestic reforms as
would abolish or correct the socialistic
machinery Of the present Administration
, They will declare for the welfare OF
labor. but at the same time they will
assert the right of capital TO a square
| deal.
There was some embarrassment dis
played to-day when the projectors OF
the conference learned that the news had
| come out The embarrassment arose
out of a feeling that the announcement
vas perhaps premature. They wss.
afraid that untrue conclusions might be
drawn. But as a matter of fact it can
be stated that there is nothing eXclu-
sive or dictatorial In the character OF
the proposed conference. II contains nc
| NJ Of fpa ~
! Republican party. There is nothing In
the idea suggestive OF the notion that q
! few men are trying TO run the party
| There is no disposition on the part OF
| the Senator's and other progressive Re
publican leaders concerned to dictate.
The whole affair is, as has been said
OF tentative and preliminary character
Any progressive Republican with ideas
and backbone will be welcome at the
conference. Later. II is intimated. wher
a statement OF principles has been made
and possible candidates have been con
sidered, a sort OF unofficial convention
may be held for the same object.
Senators interested in the meeting, a.
well as Senators who may not be ex
pected TO attend, we're keenly interested
in THE SUNS survey OF situation II
Washington which is, as mSny observer
state, developing the big political issu,
of the campaign OF 1920--the fight o
Americanism. backed by the Republican
party and patriotic Democrats. agains
internationalism. backed Nby Woodrow
Wilson and Wilsonian Democrats.
There was general agreement that thi
issue must be as stated by THE Sun
that 1t has been forced upon the coun
try by the President that nothing coult
be more important for the Repubiica,
party than the resumption OF its histori
privilege OF defending the nation.
Among the Senators VINO sxpresse,
themselves as In complete agreemen
with THE SUNS survey were Borah. New
(Ind.). Kenyon, Cummins (Is) an,
Sutherland (W. Na).