The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-06-17

New York, June -(SpeciaD.-Not a
 little comment, especially by men who
 were formerly prominent in politics as
 leaders, was caused by the reports which
 came from Chicago last week which it.
 terated and reiterated the statenstnt
 that the convention lacked leaders and
 that the boss was not there. Among
 those who commented upon these re-
 ports were two men now in New York,
 each of whom was formerly a. governor
 of an eastern state and one of them
 conspicuous for political sagacity. They
 agreed in a statement that the reason
 for the apparent lack of leadership is
 partly the nationwide presidential pri- mary and partly the fact that with the death of Theodore Roosevelt conspicu-
 ous party leadership was for the time ended, there being found on one as yet fitted to take the place so long occu- pied by Colonel Roosevelt.
 And yet curiously Nnough there came report from across the sea telling of the arrival of Elihu. Root at Plymouth, England. not stopping there, but continu- ing on his way to The Hague. Almost in parallel column with this report at least in some publications, was a state ment from Chicago that the League of Nations plank, so to call it. in the re- publican platform represented the skill, lstrategy. profound thought and marvel ous experience and knowledge which have characterized Elihu Root. It was known that just before MT. Root sailed for Europe he had perfected statement which he hoped might be satisfactory to all of the members of the convention. bringing upon a common platform both those who stood with Senators Borah and Johnson and those who favored a plank which would be modelled upon the so-called Lodge plan.
 MT. Root very likely was informed while still oa the sea pursuing his way to The Hague that the convention was paclfied and honorable compromise reached and the danger of disruption of the party ended through the adoption substantially of the statement which he wrote before he sailed
 THE TRUE LEADER
 So it is now said that a real leader who actually directed the convention, be- cause the League of Nations controversy was the only one which imperiled the convention. was upon the sea. He was to arrive at The Hague after the conven- ton had completed it's work. But at The Hague he is to take conspicuous, 9er- haps prevailing part, in the work VI tablishing a permanent international court of justice. MT Roots friends have known for some time that it has been his belief that the embarrassing and even dangerous question based upon the
 relation of the United States to other
 nations could be well answered if there
 be established a permanent court of
 justice He has gone to The Hague we'll
 prepared for the discussions that will
 take place. so that 1t may be that while he is pointed out as the real leader in
 the republican national convention it
 nay be hereafter said that he Is also
 the leader in the work of the commits sion which was appointed for the pur. pose of establishing a permanent inter- national court of justice.
 |G. w. PERKINS IN RETIREMENT When General Wood spent few hours in New York city about a month ago one who holds close personal and business relations with George w.