The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1920-02-03
BRYAN AGAIN AFTER
Political LEADERSHIP
,,ANS TO DOMINATE PARTY IN
THE CAMPAIGN. WILSON
KEEPS HESITATING.


question that most disturbs democrat
- politicians is not chow much dam
ara can William Jennings Bryan do
Nth the bricks he has made" but
auben will President Wilson an
rounce his purpose to retire at the
end of his present term?"
Not one leader in twenty believes
tho president will aspire to third
form. not one in as many admits the
possibility of Mr.. Bryan becoming the
nominee of the party to succeed him.
The paramount interest in the demo-
cratic situation, therefore, concerns
tho date and not the character of the
nresident's statement regarding his
personal plans.
A few of the leaders expected that
he would take himself out of the
presidential contest in his letter to
the Jackson diners, and there is con-
siderable disappointment that he did
not do so. Persons who are suppos-
cd to reflect Mr.. Wilson's view of po-
litical matters furnished what they
described as his reason for not doing
so.
Held Back by Ts@aty.
It was realized that such an an
nouncement would have impaired his
influence on congress in his fight to
promote the ratification of the Ger
man peace treaty and the league of
nations covenant. 1t was said that as
soon as the fate of the treaty is final
" settIed-if it is settled before the
presidential election-the president
will eliminate himself from the con-
test and leave the field to others.
Not all the democratic leaders are
in sympathy with the presidents mo-
tive in withholding his announcement
of further presidential aspirations.
That fact was revealed by the appar-
emit favor with which many of them
received Mr.. Bryan's opposition to
Mr.. Wilson's proposal Of an issue in
the coming campaign. The Nebras-
kan's protest against such step pro-
voked general approval.
Many of them frankly confessed
that they did not believe it would be
wise for the party to take the treaty
fight into the campaign because of
their conviction that the people want
it disposed of as soon as possible un7
der the most favorable conditions
that the president can secure.
They are quite certain that Mr..
Bryan sensed the hostility of the peo-
pie generally to a continuation Of the
treaty battle and singled out what he
believed to be the weakest spot in the
presidents armor. 1t is their conclu-
sion that during his long Information
Mr.. Bryan has been making war med
icne out of the most available ma
terials at hand.
That this estimate is justified to
some extent is manifest from the ac-
tivites of some of the men who have
been planning to succeed Mr.. Wilson.
Since Mr.. Bryan's declarations that
he is going to take a hand in the
game of making the next democratic
nominee there has been a lot OF
quiet pussyfooting among them. 1t
is assumed by most of the leaders
that Mr.. Bryan will oppose the nomi-
nation of any man closely connected
with the Wilson administration, chief
ly former Secretary McAdoo (who is
also the son-in-law of the president)
and Attorney General Palmer.
Presidents Position a Puzzle.
Speculation regarding the charac-
ter of the presidents decision is the
outstanding feature of the situation.
On the one hand the president IS
credited with a desire to bring about
a condition that would compel his
renomination-a referendum on the
league of nations. On the other hand
he is held to be concerned only as to
the success of his league of nations
plan, and his course in remaining an
uncertain factor in the presidential
contest is commended.
Mr. Bryan's friends and some lead
ers who are opposed to him in other
matters criticise the president for ig-
noring the stand adopted by the party
on the third term issue.