The Washington times., 1920-06-09

DARK HORST"
Feel Certain loWden and Wood
Have No Chance to Annex
Nomination.
HOPE TO PLACATE JOHNSON
Talk Of Bolt BY Supporters OF
Californian May Force
League Defeat.

CHICAGO, June 9.-The situation
in the Republican contest for tho
Presidential nomination is as con-
fused today as it has been at any
time since the declared candidates
arrived on the scene a week ago.
This much is certain. Senator
johnson has been adding some
strength.
Woods chances in inner circles
are held to be practically hopeless.
Big business is still trying des-
perately to put over Lowden, but
there is increasing antagonism to
his candidacy.
The elder statesmen are des-
perately trying to find man who
will satisfy Eastern business inter
ests, at the same time to be able to
command the support of voters who
i ibelisve in the principles and ideals
Of johnson.
Most Difficult Search.
They are having a most difficult
search. A score of names have been
canvassed in secret conferences dur
ing the night, but not one Of them
apparently possesses the qualities
the old line leaders require.
The name Of Governor Sproul Of
Pennsylvania persists most prominent
ly in the dark horse talk. II the
Pennsylvania delegation can effect
| q working agreement with tho New
vi An1A @ofD Hnv
pressive show of strength wfu be
| secured.
New York At Sea.
But the New Workers apparently are
considerably at sea and have not yet
been able to decide on a program
| that all the Empire State delegates
| will stand by
There are Increasing Indications
that this may be surprise" conven-
tion-that IL, that the nominee may
| be sone man not yet mentioned who
will spring into attention by some
dramatic action on the floor of the
convention, as Garfield did here many
years ago and as Bryan did years
later with his "Cross of gold" speech.
General Pershing's friends are play
| ing astute politics and may not spring
their surprise until the third or fourth
ballot
| There were some straws today
which may develop later into real
| Importance.
| In the credentials committee there
was a coalition of Wood and Johnson
men in the selection OF chairman
| which defeated the Lowden candidate.
| This was taken to indicate that In
case of a break in the Wood ranks
his support will go largely to the
| California Senator.
| There was increasing evidence OF
the truth OF the rumor which has
existed for several days that Frank
Hitchcock was showing an increas-
ing disposition to swing ultimately TO
Johnson.
| Johnson-wood Deal.
How far the combination of John
son and Wood elements would go was'
a matter today which gave the poll
ticians food for much thought. For
one thing. it recalled vividly the
warning of Senator George II. Moses
on the eve of the convention, that the
johnson and Wood delegates between
them formed a majority OF the con-
vention.
The Lowden people accepted tho
| johnson Wood combine with n feel
ing of fact that between them the
johnson and Wood forces do control
/
| they saw in Il n tacit recognition by
the rival camps that Lowden sent-
ment Is SO strong IT has to be op-
posed by both Johnson and Wood.
| General Wood Is expected to poll
on the nrst ballot upwards OF 500
votes Senator johnson will get, IL Is
conceded, approximately 200. Only 4o3
votes are necessary to nominate.
| Another important development
was the pronounced increase in senti-
ment in favor OF the johnson -Borsh
attitude on the league OF nations
Hearings on the platform were re-
sumed after a session lasting FAR into
the night
Ola Guard Fight Hard.
The greatest burst OF applause
which the convention gave Senator
Lodge In his keynote speech was
when he said that considerable
number OF Republicans were OF the
opinion that the United states should
turn down the league and all Its
work. Tho convention itself is yet
Embossed" In the sense that no maa
t9entinued on rage 2. ceiuna L