New-York tribune., 1920-01-31
By Carter Field

,ered battle with two generals and
Senator Hiram Johnson occupying the
corners seems the prospect at present
of the Republican primary in Nebras-
ka. Tke two generals, of course, are
Leonard Wood and John j. Pershine.
Men whose political judgment nor
nally commands respect here say that
il thew we're forced 10 bet now on the
order in which the three would fnsh
they would bet il would be Wood.
Johnson and Pershing.
Johnson is the real menace to the
Wood boom here. Friends Of Governor
Lowdcn, despite the fact that the
fact that the Illinois man has the sup
port of Govenro Mckelvie and some of
the most prominent business men of
the state, have almost decided not to
enter him in the primary, but let the
three candidates already in the race
here fight it out AS a result, some
gotten behind Pershlng, feeling that
Il the commander of the A. E. +.
should by any chance win the primary.
the delegation would be instructed in
behalf of a candidate who would not
nave chance in the convention, and
therefore the way would be open to
win the delegation 70 rtheir man. Those
sho feel this way about it are busy
ing themselves with the personnel Of
the delegation which will, in a way,
run on the Pershing ticket.
Wood eLads in Postcard Poll
But all the Republican leaders not
Of the extreme progressive type are
worrying over manifestations of John
son strength in the country districts
and small towns. About 20 per cent of
the normal Republican vote of Ne
eraska is located in the two big towns.
Omaha and Lincoln. The small town
and farm Republican vote has always
been rather radicai--in the sense the
word was used prior to Boshevism.
postcard poll taken by Frank Har-
rson, of Lincoln, showed Wood in the
lead, but also showed a tremendous
strength for Johnson, and many voters
wrote in the name Of Senator LaF'ol-
stte, which was not printed on the
postcards. OF course, If LaFollette
should enter this primary-and there
Is plenty Of time for him to reach g
declsion-it would split the radical
vote, and neither he nor Johnson would
get anywhere. The Nonpartisan League
Is strong In Nebraska, and 1t is strong
FOR LaFollette. so the thing is quite
conceivable. No move has been made,
however, by any Of the LaFollette sup
porters.
The Johnson people are working
nard and are regarded as rather eff
cient. Reports coming in from the
country indicate they are making con-
siderable progress, though there seems
% be no Johnson sentiment in Omaha
and Lincoln.
Johnson Fast Gaining Support
: Some Of the Wood people, who when
down IN Washington about the time
Of the big Republican gathering on
Decsmber s, were absolutely sure Wood
vas going TO sweep the state are now
little worried by these straws show
ing the movement toward Johnson.
So far in the fight Senator George
". Norris, who Is known to be very
strong for Johnson both on his radical
IDEAS and on the peace treaty, has
aiken no active part in the campaign,
but II he becomes active, as he is cX-
pecsed to, he Will WELD considerable
= influence. Norris is tremendously y
i ''ANHS Az e'tCi dShd fdb vas
strated when, with considerable Re
publican detection because of his war
record, he was reelected by a large
majority in 1918. It may be recalled d
1 mat Norris is the only one OF the
tanous "wilful twelve" who has been
reelected since that episode.
Actually, 1: will not surprise any
cns here much II the Johnson strength
touId continue TO develop. with the
result that Johnson should win the
I primary.
Johnson makes an appeal out in the
country districts and small towns,
Which no other candidate. except, Of
course. La Toilette If he should enter,
an make. Not only is Johnson rad
'eai, and therefore popular with the
country vote, but his fight against the
peace treaty, his fight to bring the
'roop: home from Russia and his at
aexs on the espionage act have ap-
pealed strongly to the heavy foreig
clement.
German Vote May Switch
The German vote in Nebraska is nor
naliy Democratic, and wet. 1t has
m1pported the Hitchcock Mullen ma
came and helped that machine van
gu!sh Bryan every tins "the peerless
one has put his head up in the last
sagnt years. II would surprise none Of
Ae political observers hero if this vote
moved over heavily into the Republi.
4 HIn primary this year, and supported
'ohnson. Should such movement oc
u. Johnson would be unbeatable.
would not be very surprising, 1t IL
1oinied out here, since little town
.aen are virtually German connuni
aes ard which have been anti Brya'
Doemocrasic e.rongholds for years wen
sHssHolican seven and eight 70 one il
~1 after too President's appeal. |