The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1919-03-31
DEMOCRATIC
BOLSHEVIKI
DISAPPOINTED
Champ Clark's Unqualified Sup
port Of League Of Nations
Leaves Opponents
Disarmed
HIS ELECTION AS
LEADER CERTAIN
Evident Object Former Speak
er's Enemies Was to Dis
credit Him as Presi-
Dental Possibility
By GEORGE n. MAANNlNc.


washington. D. c., March SO.-when
Champ Clark came out in support OF
the League OF Nations in his speech
at Worcester. Mass, a few days ago
he deeply disappointed the group of
democratic "Bolsheviki' congressman
VINO had been waging a newspaper
campaign against him and he practi-
cally assured himself OF election as
democratic floor leader in the mex,
house.
II the former speaker had come ou.
In opposition to the League OF Ma
lions, as many had expected he woulu.
1t Is probable he would have been de-
throned as the leader of his party I'm
the house. The strong supporters OF
the president were prepared to seize
upon his opposition to the league as
evidence Of his antagonism 10 the
administration and unfitness Tor house
leadership. But Mr.. Clarlk's unQoanlif1od
support Of the 1elGpe almost oouaplohe-
1y,d1sir1nS Ms o6ptn asi I. & IS !
The motive Of the attack on Ch6Snp
Clark. which remained for weeks an
apparent mystery. now seems to be {,
entirely discredit the Missourian and
kill him off as presidential possibfl-
ity in 1920, SO as to make the way
clear for the nomination Of a man to
be chosen by Woodrow Wilson and his
friends as the presid, nt's successor.
1t ay even turn out that President
Wilson may decide to run for a third
term and would like to have Clark out
of the way at the next convention, bu.
1t is unlikely he will again be q can
didate
The breach between Clark ana Wilson,
~~~f~
for the democratic nomination for
president in 1912 at the Baltimore con-
vention by the Wilson forces, has
never healed.
But Clark took his defeat in q man
ly way. and as speaker and personally
has staunchly supported the admins
tration.
The Wilson forces have no particu-
lar complaint to maxi. against Clark.
but realize that In order to nominate
their choice. who may be William C.
McAdoo, Colonel e. NJ. House. or
some one else to succeed President
Wilson, they must eliminate Clark,
who, next to the president, n the
strongest democrat in public life to-
day.
The anti CLARK men, who have only
shown their teeth since congress ad-
journed on March 4, believed they had
the speaker in the hole on the League
Of Nations issue. and had announced
SEQ in the press. but they were en-
tirely out ut-maneuvered by the Missou-
rian, who took his own good time to
declare his position on the question and
then came out for the League aftet
they had asserted that he had de-
clared his opposition to 1t.
With a record of eight years a.
speaker of the house, many years con-
tinuous service in congress and sew
eral years as minority leader before
-he democrtas gained control In 1911.
Clark's friends declare it is going to
ze next to impossible to defeat him
Tor the democratic floor leadership un-
les he goes very wide Of the mark OH
some important issues.
A rather striking fact about the op-
position to Clark is that 1T did not de-
velop until some OF his friends began
% mention him as a possible candidate
'or president in 1920.
1t Is noteworthy that the group of
men opposing Clark, practically mona
II whom hadbee mp rominent In th
rouse, claimed to have the support of
General Burleson and Sec
.etary of the Treasury Glass. Burls-
ION has always been the link between
he president and congress and 10
irm friend Of former Secretary Will
lam GG. McAdoo. and Mr.. Glass was
close friend OF Mr.. McAdoo and sue
:eeded him in the cabinet This has
yiven rise to the belief in some cir
les that the attack on Clark IL not
timed directly at preventing him from
democratic leader In the
rouse, for what that il worth, but has
or its main object the checking of
,lark's popularity and his elimination
g a presidential possibility and pos
ible opponent OF McAdoo for the nom-
atiOn in 1920.