The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1920-05-25
Question Sent May 10.

Although the foregoing communica-
ton was sent on May 10, no reply has
yet been received by Stanford, who is
beginning TO despair that there viii be
any, and who is reluctantly coming TO
believe that Senator johnson will bolt
the Republican convention after all Il
his views on trety are not sustained.
OF course, there is always chance
that the telegram did not reach the
California senator. for, as a rule, he is
quick with n reply on anything political
that Is put UP TO him. His exchange Of
statements with Herbert Hoover re-
Gently confirmed this. Anyway, stan
ford decided that before doing anything
further in the matter Of promoting Hi
ram Johnson's candidacy in North Car
olina he must have some word as to
the senator's position, He, therefore.
released the telegram for publication,
Johnson and Radicalism.
The truth is. Johnson's chances OF
capturing the Republican nomination
are beginning to look better Except for
his so-called radicalism. he would be In
good favor with older leaders II the par
~, most of whom are not at all dis
turbed by Senator Johnson's views on
the treaty. Lately there has been per-
sistent movement to refute tho talk
OF johnson as a radical. II is confident
~ whispered by his friends that II ne
should ever become president he really
would not be radical at all.
did Hiram upset the state OF Cali
formal" is the inquiry which friends
Of the senator PROFOUND to the skoptics,
Business men who fear Johnson Is a
sort OF Republican Bryan are being as
sured that their apprehensions are
groundless. But, while the johnson
movement gains ground, there Is pros
pect of q dramatic speech by Senator
johnson at the convention itself, for he
is an alternate delegate and could speak
II he wanted to. nevertheless, 1t Is al
open secret that the conservative lead
ers would prefer Lowden or Wood.
overtures TO johnson will unquestion'
ably be made so as 20 retain, II posi-
BILE, his support, The big question Il
whether Johnson's followers will he sat
isfied with a formal reconciliation tina
eliminates Johnson. The talk Of John
son for yice-president persists, ant
while nobody knows whether he woult
take 1t or not some of the senators
who have been closest to johnson In re.
cent years say that the only man John
son would run with would he Senator
Knox, OF Pennsylvania, VII Is being
backed by Senator Penrose.
Tho selection of Knox would mean. Il
some extent. recognition OF the John
son view on the peace treaty, for both
are members of the so-called "irrecon-
cilable" group which has fought the
treaty and reservations from the start
The next 10 days will disclose the
johnson strategy. His friends, men like
William Randolph Hearst, are absolute
" sure the Republican convention is go-
ing TO be won over to him. They are
therefore. counseling him to stay regu.
lar and promise to be regular.
On the other hand Johnson's princl-
pal source Of strength is his supposed
Intention to bolt the convention and
take his followers into another party
If he fatty pledges himself not TO bolt
he may tactically weaken his position
Probably he will follow the old politica
rule Of not saying anything until he
must
Copyright 1920, by David Lawrence. D.,