The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1919-09-15
Political Dopesters in Washing
ton Predict Pershing Will BE
Republican Applicant Before
Snow Flies
NAVY SECRETARY TRUSTS
FATE TO HIS FRIENDS
Prophets Believe Mr.. Daniels
Could Lay Claim to "Solid
South" Followers of William j.
Bryan and Big Dry Vote.
Washington Bureau,
The Pensacola Journal
Bv GEORGE "A. MANNl NG.

Washintgon, d. c., Sept. 14.-WiH IL
be the army against the navy. General
John J. Pershing against Secretary
Josephus Daniels for president in
1920? That is the thought in the mind
of politicians about the national capt.
tai with the return of the army's war
hero TO the United States.
Washington confidently believes
that General Pershing will be the can
didate of the republicans for presi-
dent in 1920. General Pershing will
not openly go after the nomination.
nor will be likely to consider IL dur
ing the first few weeks after his re-
turn home. But after the snow flies
he will be the candidate, just the same,
the people here who make politics a
business believe.
Until Secretary of the Navy Josephus
Daniels was interviewed two weeks
ago in far away Hawaii on being a
presidential candidate for the Demo
Gratis, and adroitly replied 1t was a
matter for the people to decide and
that his destiny was in the hands OF
his friends, or something to that ef-
feet, Washington had given but little
thought to the naval secretary al
presidential possibility.
In looking over the presidents cab
met for man TO succeed him, pol
iticians have invariably thought first
of william Gibbs McAdoo. former sec
retary of the treasury, and son-in-iaw
to the president. and then OF Secre-
tary Of War Baker. Josephus Daniels
has been given but little, If any, con-
sideration.
But for Daniels modesr answer rrat
20 q, a.
eide, when everybody had expected
that he would give an explosive de-
nial, indicated that the ruler of the
queens nav-vee," is in a receptive
attitude towards the job of ruler of
the U. S. A.
If Mr.. Daniels is sincere about his
presidential aspirations, he is the first
man who has gone 5000 miles from
home to set off his boom and have
the explosion recorded at home.
Mr.. Daniels candidacy is not taken
as a joke by men i'm Washington who
have power in the Democratic party.
There can be no doubt that he will
have the full support of William Jen-
nings Bryan, whatever that may be
worth.
His record of having made the navy
dry as dust will assure him the sup
port of the anti-saloon league and all
kindred organizations. and the mem
bership of all the churches. This will
be no trifling support when it is re-
membered that the anti-saloon league
intends to collect and disburse a cam
paign fund of s25,000,000 next year
Ito make the country safe for pro-
hibition."
Josepmus Daniels would be the 'sone
best bet OF the solid south" TO elect
one Of it's own children as president,
because Mr.. Daniels has every attrib-
ute that goes to make a true south
ernor.
The navy, with Josephus Daniels at
its head, made as fine a record in per-
forming the task allotted it during
the war did the army in France
under General Pershing.
Many prominent Democrats believe
that If the Republicans are TO take
General Pershing as their standard
bearer in 1920. the Democrats could
make no better choice than Josephus
Daniels, who would have the support
of the Wilson Democrats, the fol-
lowers OF Bryan, the big dry" votA
a following from the navy to offset
in a. measure the support General
Pershing would receive from the
army, and the solid south.