The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1920-01-09
WILSON SAID
NOTHING ABOUT
A THIRD TERM
Bryan, However, Let 1t Be
Known That He Was Not
Speaking Before Jackson
Club as a Candidate for
Presidency - Democrats
Are Awaiting to Have
Matters Settle Down.

Washington, d. c., Jan. 9.-Presideni
Wilson's decision that the league OF ma
tions issue should be placed before The
voters as a Solemn referendum" ane
William j. Bryans contention that the
Democratic party cannot go before the
country on the question, but should ac-
cept such compromises ''as may be pos.
sible'' were the twin surprises of the
conclaye of party chieftains which
found it's climax in the annual Jack
son day dinner.
The presidents message to the party
written from the sick room in the
White House and read to the diners,
made no mention of third term for
himself and no announcement OF an
impending retirement to private life,
as many had predicted it would.
Mr.. Bryan's speech, taking definite
issue with the presidents decision on
the great question was accompanied
by statement that he was not speak
ing as a candidate for the presidential
nomination. Many of the Democratic
diners freely said that portion was a
distinct surprise to them.
To-day the rank and file of the DEM
ocratic party as well as the leaders
throughout the country are studying
the opposite announcements OF the two
national leaders and are attempting to
assume their effect on the party's forces
on the nomination convention next No
vember.
Many political observers see that it
is yet too early TO accurately estimate
the position in which the cleavage be-
tween the president and the foremost
Democrat in private life leaves the
party. They feel that the situation
must settle down little, that stock
must be taken, and that the opinions of
the rank and file must be sounded.
Whether the position of the two men,
now definitely announced, means tight
in the national convention reminiscent
of the spectacular battle in Baltimore in
1912, when Mr.. Bryan forced the presi-
dents nomina tion and reversed the ira
ditional practice Of the party conven-
tions in giving nomination to acandi
date who commanded a majority yoae,
none OF the party is willing to predict
for publication.
Sentiment among the Democratic
leaders at the jackson dinner as ex-
pressed in their speeches, seemed TO be
divided between support of the presi-
dents decision and Mr.. Bryan's posi-
tion, while some of the men who are in
the list of nominating possibilities, did
not touch on the subject at all.
II seems agreed that Mr.. Bryan's ar
glment that the treaty should be rati-
fed with such compromises as may be
possible will give tremendous impetus
to the movement which steadily has
been going on in the undercurrents of
the Senate for get-together in which
the so-called irreconcilables and those
who stand for ratification of the treaty
with any reservations whatever may
find a common ground and join with
the mild reservationists in putting
through the covenant.
President Wilson's reiteration that
there can be no reasonable objection to
interpretations TO SAY what the un-
doubted meaning of the league is" il is
thought by some OF those on both sides
of the contest, may speed the move
ment.
Senator Lodge, the Republican lead
er and foremost m the fight against
ratification of the treaty without reser-
Nations, which IL 5 contended will
~Americanize" il, takes wholly op-
positc view and has issued a formal
statement declaring that the presi
dents message makes impossible the
hope that the Senate might compose
differences of opinion and ratify the
treaty protected by the principles set
forth in the Ia reservations"
Wilson's Letter.
President Wilson in HE message 10 |
the jackson day diners here said -the
clear and single way" 10 determine the |
win Of the American people on the /
ieague Of nations was TO make II an
issue at the next election.
The presidents message said nothing |
whatever about a third term for him
self. and neither did it say even by i'm
plication or intimatiOn that he would 4
not be a candidate. as had been widely /
forecast. Amos; all of the presidents
message was devoted TO an expression 1
of his arguments II why he considered 4
IL the duty of tho United States TO join
the league Of nations covenant and why i
be considered the war not really won /
until u did. Another attempt to crush I
the new nations of Europe would he
made. the president aid. II the United /
Siatcs held aloof.
The president again expressed his At
titrdt toward reservations much a. lie