Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1920-02-09
HOOVER EXPLAINS
ATTITUDE; SAYS. HE'S
NOT A CANDIDATE
Will Support Party Standing by
League With Necessary
Reservations
DOESN'T BAR USE OF NAME

New York, Feb. 9.-Herbert Hoover
issued a statement last night defining
his attitude toward the presidential
nomination..
Mr.. Hoover announced that he was
not candidate and was not seeking the
presidency, but did not say that he
would not accept a nomination. He de-
clared that no one was authorized to
speak for him politically. II the League
of Nations were made an issue IN the
election. Mr. Hoover said that he would
vote for the party that stood for the
League with any necessary reservations.
The uncertainty as to whether Mr..
Hoover is Democrat or a Republican
was in no way cleared. He stated that,
in response To requests that he declare
his allegiance 10 one or the other of the
great parties, he would wait until it
more definitely appeared what the party
managers stand for.
II will exercise a prerogative of Arneri-
can citizenship" he said. "and decline to
pledge my vote blindfold.'
Mr. Hoover made H. clear that his
sympa'hies were not with re8ctionarles,
bv saving that he could not vote with
party dominated by groups which sought
TO set a.ide the rights Of free speech and
free representation or which hoped 10
rc-establish control of the government
for profit and privilege. He said that he
was opposed TO any form of socialism,
including the naturalization of industry,
which William ]. Bryan has declared 10
be q leading issue. Mr. Hoover's state
noent follows:
''In order 10 answer 8 large number
Of questions all at once, let me empha-
size that have taken dsy off from the
industrial conference to come to New
York solely 70 attend 20 pressing matters
IN connection with the Children's Re-
lief, i want TO say again:
II have not sought and am not seek
ing the presidency. | am not a candidate
| have no Organization. No one is
authorized to speak for me politically.
''As an American citizen by birth and
of long ancestry, | am naturally greatly
interestested in the present critical situa-
ton. NV sincere and only political de-
sire is that one or both of the great no
liticsl parties will approach the vital
issues which have grown out of the war
and are new with a clear purpose, look
ing TO the welfare of our people. and
that candidates capable of carrying out
this work should be nominated.
IF the treaty goes over TO the presi-
dental election with any reservation.
that there can be no infringement of the
safeguards provided by our Constitution
and our nations old traditions, then ]
must vote for the party that stands for
tho League. With it there is hope not
only oi the prevention Of war, but also
that we can safely economic in military
policies. There is hope of earlier return
of confidence and the economic recon
struction of the world.
II could mot vote for a party if it
were dominated by groups who seek TO
set aside our constitutional guarantees
for free speech OF free representation,
who hope to re-stablish control of the
government for profit and privilege |
could not vote with a party if it were
dominated by groups who hope for ahy
form OF socialism, whether it be nation
aization of industry or other destruction
Of Individual initiative.