The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-04-22
MISSOURI FAyORS
LEAGUE, BUT ALSO
STANDS BY REED
BY DAVID LAWRENCE.
(The News ScImltar's Special Core
Snondantl

NV FN~NNS NV = SpeSN&N
spondent.)
KANSAS CITY, April 22,-This Is the
bailiwick Of James A. Reed, Democratic
senator from Missouri. who has fought
the leader Of his party on AMY an Is
sue in the last few years, and has now
COM to the climax Of that opposition
by a dramatic fight against the league
Of nations,
1t Is easy to say that the league Of
nations, il submitted to a referendum
In Missouri, would win out. But that
doesn't dispose of Mr.. Reed. There are
tnose who believe that he has gone too
lar TO right himself politically, and that
the Democrats will never renomlnate
NM. But the Kansas City district Is
where Mr.. Reed has fought many a
battle in the public eye and they have
respect n admiration here for his
fighting qualities. =
though many of his admirers think he
mas made a mistake. But they like Jim
Reed. And when he gets out on the
Stun or stands on the platform Of
that huge convention hall here, his
spelloinding carries enthusiasm which
ISM, exceeded BY anything this city Is
IN the haDlt OF giving to presidential
Sc It may be said Kansas City, liking
Jim Reed, would not favor Furnishing
him for his attitude by any attempt to
read him out of the party. Other sec
/ tons OF the state think otherwise. Re-
p~ublicans, of course, don't elect DEM
ocratic senators. 80 an inquiry into MIR,
Reeds strength can only be obtained
by q canvass Of the Democratic coun-
~ and precinct leaders who are In
touch with the rank and file of the
people. To ascertain the feeling Of
Democrats generally. q confidential let
quarters. County cbairmen were asked
| whether they believed a party conven-
ton should be held to Indicate whether
the state agreed with Mr.. Reeds view
OF the league Of nations or President
| Wilson'S, The answers were, Of course.
not written with an eye to publication,
80 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 chai nan
gave his own estimate Of the afttkiIde
Of the voters Of the opposite party al
well.
Majority for League.
In other words, the batch of letters of
which l was able to get possession re-
fleets what the state Of Missouri thinks
about the league Of nations. Most Of
them favor the league. Many Of them
are doubtful about holding a conyen
ton, fearing 1t might split the party
by producing a factionai fight. Some
suggest that the league controversv
will be out Of the way soon, that Nv
cones had better be bygones and that
II a fight Is organized on Mr.. Reed
ton and the party's chances of Victory
In this state In 1920 would be ruined,
AS for the Democratic party's chances
next time, we'll a Democratic editor in
Missouri who ought to know, but who
wouldn't Of course, say 1t publicly, told
me that II the election were held to-
morrow the Republicans would have a
w~alkaway.
Examination OF some of these letters
from the county chairmen, however.
show what q tremendous strength the
league OF nations has as q nonpartisan
question, and Democrats have feared
that any party convention on the sub
Here is an excerpt from one letter:
II am satisfied that Mt least rs per
cent Of the Democrats in this county
are for a league of nations and are with
Presiden& Wilson. Also a vast majority
of Democrats are against a convention
at this time to condemn by resolution
James A. Reed and produce a faction
in the party that will certainly make
us a minority party when the nomina-
ton for United States senator Is made
When the Democracy gets to Reeds
case, we are firmly convinced they win
state among his constituents for the
abuse he has made Of their ceFnfi-
dence."
Another letter says.
while the Democrats feel strongly
~ shame Of the course pursued hg