New-York tribune., 1920-02-01

oecause MI. HoOVer mas pecn dealing
publicly with facts for the last Ave
years.
"We are living in an unpolitical era.
The old parties do not divide naturally
on the important matters which are
coming up to-day. During the three
years of the present Administration
Mr. Wilson and his Cabinet have not
been called on to deal with one single
political question"
A carefully neutral attitude, with
high praise for Mr.. Hoover's per-
sonal qualities, is taken by "The New
York Times," and it fairly repre-
sents the prevailing Democratic
view. Incidentally, "The Times"
likens Mr.. Hoover to General Wood:
Hoover and Wood
"The fact remains that Mr.. Hoover
is thus far the most interesting Prcsi
Dental possibility, with the execptio,
OF Leonard Wood. The two charac
ters are, In fact, similar. The brilliaN,
success of General Woods adminstra
tion in Cuba, which won worldwide ce-
lebrity in its day, stands on an even
footing with the Hoover food admins
tration. The far-sighted and practical
idealisn Of the Plattsburg training camp,
without which the army must have been
very ineff1ciently otficered, is equaled
by Hoovers prompt and energetic in
terposition in behalf Of Belgium. Both
men have pursued their ideals of pa
triotic service with an utter disregard
Of the result to their personal and po-
.itical fortunes. OF the two, Wood has
to-day the stronger national standing,
Hoover the more nearly world ce-
lehrity. Brand Whitlock's Belgium
enshrines heroic figure, certain fea-
lures Of which receive further model
ing in Maynard Keynes's recent vol
ume, in which Hoover appears In his
subsequent European activities.
This is an era of wide and rapid ex-
panson In our activities as s. nation
in the rapidly shifting currents Of the
time many things would be stranger
than that such a man should rise sud-
ienly to power and place. The trouble
IS that the time has not yet passed
when party regularity and merely par
tisan leadership have ceased TO bf
powerful factors in Presidential nom.
nations"
A considerable number of Demo-
ratio papers have strongly opposed
The World's' words upon parti-
sanship and opposed Mr.. Hoover un-
less and until his party allegiance
lis known. Says "The Brooklyn
Daily Eagle:
Until he declares himself ss Re-
publican or Democrat the discussion
Of him as an availability will lead no.
where. # he is named at all 1t must
be by one Of the two great parties.
He could mako no headway as an in
dependent, even were he disposed TO
embark on an adventure 40 desperate"
Republican Doubts
Among the Republican papers with
Independent leanings there is high
ly favorable attitude toward Mr..
Hoover, but no declaration in his
favor and considerable doubt as to
whether he can be nominated by
either party. Says The Philadel
phia Evening LEDGER
"What will be the outcome cannot be
prUgn osticated. The hardshell elcments
in both parties are doubtless both op-
posed to the nomination OF MIR. Hoover,
should popular pressure move him to
change mis- present determination.
Much depends on the keynote which
the Republicans will strke in their
convention, the first of the pair.
Should the Old Guard prevail, Mr..
Hoover, according to Mr.. Barnes's horo-
scope. might be found in the rival
ranks On the other hand Democracy
with big % would be likely to accept
Mr.. Hoover only with considerable
pain.
The air Is charged with potentian-
ties Of political parsdoxes and sensa-
tions. For the injection Of novelty
INTO the Presidential contest Herbert
c. Hoover who hasn't lifted finger
to advance hls prospects. takes the
amazing prize"
"Not much chance for Herbert
rs 80 - ,ss:s T s4