The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-06-24
Wilson Forces Hope to Eyade
Fight on Treaty Plank.
Will Let "Prohibs" and "Antis"
Squabble i'm Frisco.
WILSON HOLDS MOST POWER
If Vets and Drys Combine Will
Come Into Open.
Administration A Considers Pro-
hfbitiOn Unnecessary.

Washington. June 24.-President
Wilson's treaty plank may be the
chief gamer from the anticipated pro-
hibition fight at the Democratic con-
vention, it was believed in administra-
ion quarters here today
1t was further intimated here today
that plan of strategy aimed to make
the treaty the beneficiary of the liquor
row has gone to San Francisco and
may be employed If necessary.
Broadly, the plan as explained here
is to allow wet and dry factions, which
include most of the treaty foes. to "get
worked up" over prohibition and then
bring the treaty plank before the con-
vention. If the two liquor factions
show signs of combining on the treaty
question. the administration forces will
still be in q position to make a trade
of strength with one. side or the other,
it was said.
May Overlook League Plank.
Once the Bryan and wet forces get
into prohibition battle, the adminis-
tration leaders believe the bitterness
engendered will prevent their combin-
ing on the treaty question.
The plan of Wilson leaders is to
forestall this by swinging sufficient
strength to give one faction a ma jor-
ity in exchange for that factions sup
port of the administration plank.
Such a trade would be made possi-
BILE, it was pointed out. by the fact
that administration supporters contain
both vets and drys.
Prohibition Plank Unnecessary.
San Francisco, June 24.-Presideni
Wilson considers it unnecessary for
the Democratic platform to contain
any reference to the prohibition ques-
ton or to independence for. Ireland
he informed those who speak for him
at the Democratic convention here. II
was learned today.
AS to the League of Nations, the
president will be satisfied with moth
! ing less than a strong affirmative
declaration for immediate ratification
of the covenant without crippling
reservations.
Denies Wilson Platform.
! Senator Carter Glass of Virginia
! who is slated to head the resolutions
t committee that will write the Demo
cratic platform, today declared thai
! he did not bear a draft of platform
! written at the White House, but added
/ that he knew the presidents minc
about what he would like to see th'
| Democrats do.
Glass declined to reveal any ink.
| ling of what the president told hin
at a conference at the White Hous'
just before Glass went to his train
He said, however. that the presiden
had not changed his position oil
the League of Nations issue in thu
slightest.
/ 'The only platform draft 1 hav'
brought with me-" said Glass, is tn
Virginia platform which the presiden
formally approved in letter to me-
Expect Bryan Row.
The Virginia platform is silent upol
both the prohibition and Irish ques
/ tions. which with the league, form tn
| chief sources of trouble for the plat
form builders.
I Glass. expressing his personal view
on the prohibition question, said tina
it is settled, hence need not be re
ferred to. AS to Irish independence
he said Virginia Democrats hat
enough troubles of their own to at
! tend to.
will Bryan in your opinion, b.
able to cause trouble over the plat
form % Glass was asked.
Mr.. Bryan has the reputation 70
successfully kicking up trouble, hasn'
he? ?'' was the reply.
Must Be "Near Wet' Plank.
Should the resolutions committe
report without at least near we
plank, there is certain to be a minorit
report.
Few delegates on the ground shar
Cummings of no platform fight in tn
convention itself, except possibly oi
the wet and dry issue. Altho the ma
jority of the committee on resolution
will likely agree upon a Wilson plat
form, there are almost certain to b
minority reports on the League o
Nations, labor and economic condi
tions as well as prohibition.
Chairman Cummings indicated t
newspaper men today that his keynot
speech, which he will deliver as TEN
porary chairman of the convention
will outline the presidents views re
garding the position for the party t
take on the League of Nations issue
1t is reported in some quarters tina
the president is the author of a con
/ sidera BILE portion of Cummings
speech.
So far as known here. this will b
the presidents only message to tn
convention.