The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1920-05-25
WILL JOHNSON BOLT
IF TREATY UPHELD?
0X DAVID LAw1ENCB,
tcoryxteat ~ The 1ntslliSsnosr.)

WASHINGTON. D. c. May 2t.-Will
Senator Hiram Johnson bolt the Repuo-
hcan national convention unless the
treaty OF Versailles. League OF Nations.
and all is condemned? Republicans
who like the California senator and
want TO help him win the Republican
nomination, but who are not in SYM
pathy with his stand on the treaty Qucs-
tion. are eager to know. Indeed Leland
Stanford, resident Of Stonevillc. y. C..
Senator johnson. but says that as yet
he has received no answer. He Is full
hedgcd Republican and was asked TO
serve on the committee in North Caro-
lima which would promote the candidacy
ot Hiram Johnson In that state Be-
fore accepting membership on the COM
mittee however. he sent the following
telegram to Senator Johnson:
rhs rslsgrsm-
There il on foot concentrated
and organized movement to, put you
over by . substantial ma ajority in our
North Carolina primary June 5th.
am requested TO serve on your COM
campaign. Do YOU intend to bolt
from the Republican party unless
reservation. League. Treaty and all
are condemned by the Chicago con-
vention? Will division exist on your
part and your followers IL the con-
vations. Wire me what reconciliat-
ion you and your supporters demand.
(Signed) LELAND STANFORD.
Although the foregoing communica-
ton was sent on May I0th. no reply has
vet been received BY Mr.. Stanford
will be any and who iS reluctantly COM
ing to believe that Senator johnson will
bolt tho Republican convention after
all II his views on the treaty are not
sustained.
OF course. there is always u chance
that the telegram did not reach the
California senator for aS rule he is
quick with reply on anything political
that ~ put up to him. His exchange
nf statements with Herbert Hoover. re-
Gently confirmed this. Any way. Mr.
stanford decided that before doing any
thing further in tho matter Of promot-
ing Hiram Johnson'S candidacy in North
Carolina ne must have some word as to
the senator's position. He therefore
.elcascd the telegram for publication.
Johnson's Chances.
The truth is Johnsons chances OF
capturing the Republican nomination
are beginning 10 look better. Except
for his so-cailed radicalsm. he would
De In good favor with the older leaders
Of tho party, most of whom are not al
all disturbed by Senator Johnson's
views on the treaty. Lately. there mas
~
the talk Of johnson as radical. II Is
confidently whispered by his friends
that II ne should ever become president
ne really wouldn't be radical at all.
Did Hiram upset the state or eau.
fornia:" Is the inquiry which FRIENDS OF
Business men who fear Johnson is a
sort of Republican Bryan are being as
&urcd that their apprehensions arc
sroundfess.
But while tho Johpscnt movement
SiTaTsatIe speech BY Senator Johnson at
tho convention, itself. for he Is an
slternate delegate and could speak IL ne
wanted to, nevertheless IT Is an open
secret that the conscrvat,ve leaders
would prefer Lowden OF Wood. over
lures to Mr. Johnson will unauestion'
ably be made so as TO retain IL possible
his support.
The blx question is whether Johnson :
rollowcrs will be satisfied with for
mai reconciliation that eliminates John
SON. Tho talk Of Johnson for vice
president persists and while noooos
knows whether he would take II or not
some OF the senators who have peer
closest to him in recent mon,nS So say ,,ii.s ,Ts
would he Senator Knox OF pennsylvania
who IS being backed by Senator Fen
rose. . ,.
The selection or Knox wouiu 70 soIie
oxtent be recognition of the Johnson
view on the peace treaty TOT ooth are
members OF tho so-called lrrecon'
liable group which has fought the
treaty and reservations from the start
Tho next ten days will disclose the
Johnson strategy. His friends. men like
William Randolph Hearst. are aosofute'
~ sure the Republican convention "
going to the won over TO him. They
therefore, counsel him to stay regular
and promise 10 be regular. On the
nthcr hand. Johnson's principal source
or strength Is his supposed intention 70
bolt the convention and take his foIlow-
RS into another party. II ne fatty
pledges himself not 10 bolt, he may
tacticaIly weaken his position. Prob.
ably he will follow the old political
rule Of not saying anything until he
must.