Norwich bulletin., 1920-06-23
WHICH WILL PREVAIL:
 WILSON'S VIEWS OR BRYAN's?


 San Francisco, Calif., June 22.-Post- master General Barleson,s statemes& to- day at San Antonio regarding democratic platform issues drew particular attention among party leaders nere for the na- tional convention next week because of its frank declaration for modification of the Volstead prohibition enforcement act.
 MT. Burleson's demand for repeal of drastic and absurd" provisions of the act expressed in more direct fashion views which some of the party leaders now here previously had voiced private ly. Coming from member of President Wilson's cabinet the statement was re- garded as a possible intimation of the administrations attitude on the prohi- bition issue before the convention.
 Senator Glass of Virginia, who is due here tomorrow, is understood to have been entrusted with a formal expression of President Wilson's views as to the platform. On other occasions, however, the postmaster general has been the di- rect spokesman of the president on inn portant issues and democrats here were inclined to take his expression as to the prohibition plank as more than a statement of his own views.
 The preliminary convention discussion in progress here, while wholly informal in character, has shown striking unani- mity of opinion on two points thus far. The first of these is that thS platform struggle will be the real fight ~ the con- vention; the second, that the prohibition plank will be the chief issue in that fight, out-rivaling the league of nations declaration in interest among the dele gates.
 In the league issue. W. J. Bryan al ready is standing directly opposed to President Wilson's views as to the par ty attitude. That dates back to the Jackson Day dinner when MT Wilson urged that the democrats enter the cam paign on the issue of ratification of the league covenant without material reser- vation. The former secretary of state stood just as strongly for acceptance of the republican senate reservations as basis for ratification and in order tc keep the league covenant out of the cam. paign.
 If MT. Burleson's statement is to be accepted as representing the presidents views on prohibition, delegates said, il now was evident that Bryan and the ad ministration forces were to clash alsc over that plank in the party platform MT. Bryans views have been known tc be rgidIy against any weakening of the prohibition laws. There is also it wa. said, a third point on which the presi [ dent and his former secretary might loci horns at the convention. It was recalled i that when the president asked congres. 1 for authority to accept a mandate ovel Armenia under the league of nations, MT Bryan promptly issued 8 statement in a ] opposition to such program It ha | been regarded as possible that the presi l dent might seek to have the convention 1 indorse his course as to Armenia and i so, it was said, the Nebraska Ieade could be expected to exert his iniuenc 1 against such action.
 Pending arrival of Senator Glass, MT Burleson and MT. Bryan, all of whom will reach the convention city during tn week, the few party leaders and dele gates already on the ground have beel
 exchanging only gossipy comment an
 expressions of personal opinion on is l sues to come up. There have been n l conferences as yet, and there is still lit
 tie activity among workers for variou candidates for the presidential nomina tion to distract attention from the plat | form outlook.
 Headquarters. for John W. Davis c West Virginia were opened today an
 the first literature in behalf of tn claims of candidates was put out by hi supporters. Some poster work for Gov ernor Edward l. Edwards of New Jerse also was done, supplementing that fo Attorney General Palmer, but presider tial row has not as yet become even | shadow of what fl will be or of what
 was during the republican convention g | Chicago.
 In any event, there is little possibilit that candidates headquarters will talk
 as prominent part in the San Francisc
 convention as was the case in Chicag ThA Chicago convention was l1nia1a