The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1920-07-02
Much Guessing As to Action of
the Democratic National
Convention.
TWO BIG QUESTION MARKS
Attitude of Wilson and McAdoo a
Puzzie-Platform Issues Promise
Fiaht-side Parties Interesting
Irish Situation Is Grave
France and England to
War on Turk.
BY {. r. cLIPSON.

Political wiseacres are at this time
as busy in naming the nominee of the
Democratic convention at San Fran
cisco as they were a short time ago In
making wrong predictions about the
Republican affair at Chicago. Indica-
lions are that most of them are guess
ing. In fact, 1t looks like a good old
fashioned guessing contest. If you are
lucky you win the barrel of flour or
the ladies' watch. Straws are no guide
to the direction of the political wind
for they are pointing In all directions,
especially straw ballots. Possibly
President Wilson, Mr.. Bryan or one
of the other party powers knows who
will be the standard bearer, but he
Is not telling.
The big Interrogation point which
has been planted in the public mind
concerns chiefly William G. McAdoo
and also President Wilson himself
The former secretary had for some
weeks been doomed so persistently
that many political forecasters be-
lieved he was going to make a runa-
way race of it. But just at a critical
time came his announcement that he
was not seeking the nomination and
preferred that his name should not be
placed before the convention. Ardent
supporters point out that he has not
definitely refused the honor and are
proceeding on the theory that he will
accept If 1t comes to him unsolicited.
Several state delegations which have
been for McAdoo announce their re-
fusal to take his declination as unal-
terable and their intention of voting
for him in the convention.
President Wilson is the great enig-
ma just as he has been all through
the months since his early Illness and
the ambiguous bulletins and inter-
views issued by his physicians. The
first Interpretation of Mr.. McAdoo's
voluntary withdrawal from the race
was that the Republican platform hav-
ing largely made Mr.. Wilson the issue
in the campaign, it was fitting that the
president should meet 1t by becoming
the opposition candidate. This view
was considerably strengthened by an
interview which the president gave to
representative of prominent New
York newspaper, In which Mr.. Wilson
discussed issues but not candidates
and stated that he appeared to be the
principal issue. The interviewer stress
ed the point not of the presidents
complete recovery, but of his i'm
proved physical condition. Newspa-
pers throughout the country have been
flooded with recent photographs of the
president which indicate fair degree
of vigor. Sources close to the White
House, notably Senator Glass, scout
the third term idea, but the Inference
gained In many quarters from the in
teryiew, the photographs and few
minor straws, is that the president, IL
not an active asplrant for the honor
proposes TO, be the power behind the
office. Those unfolding this view be-
iieve that Mr. McAdoo sought to elm
mate himself in order TO give his
father-in-law clear field. Others
modify the view and incline to the
belief that there is a divergence be-
tween the president and Mr.. McAdoo
on the League of Nations question.
The fight in the resolutions COM
mittee viii be on the question of en-
Iorsing the ADMINISTRATORS peace |
treaty and League of Nations policy, |
on the liquor issue and on Ireland. A
large share of opinion Is to the effect |
hat the committee will back the adj
In it's league plan. pos
sfbly Insert mild declaration for
personal liberty without mentioning
either light wines or beer, also a
Of sympathy for subject