The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1920-04-02
POSITION Of HOOVER
FINALLY REVEALED
Willing to Accept Nomination At
Hands of Republicans But
Not Seeking 1t. l. Strong
For The League

San Francisco, March 31-Herbert
Hoover today telegraphed the Hoover
Republican Club of California that he
would accept the Republican nomina-
ton for President "if it is felt that
the issues necessitate it, and it is de-
manded OF me-"
The telegram, addressed to Warren
Gregory, president of the Hoover Re-
publican Club of California. follows:
II had not wished to enter. nor,
could l hitherto see any real public
service in entering into partisan po-
E.ical discussion, more especially
pending the clarification of the diver
gent views of the different groups in
the parties in the great new issues.
The recent developments over tho
treaty. stagnation in adjustment of
our great economic problems and par
ticularly the many urgent representa-
tions that I have received as to the
situation in my own State. conyincei
me that It is my duty to confirm the
action that my Republican friends
there have already taken without corr
sulting me.
Il understand that there is a great
wish among the Republicans of Cali
fornia to have opportunity to express
themselves in favor of the league #
nations with proper reservations safe
guarding American traditions ard in!
terests as opposed to the extreme view
advocated against any league at all
/ differ just as strongly with this view
as I differ with the extreme position
taken by the President on particina-
tior in purely European affairs. This
issue is whether, with reservations
protecting our position. we should
join the moral forces of the world to
reduce the dangers again growing
around us, or whether we will by pre-
tense Of a1 insurality that we do not
possess, sit by in the face of growing
armies, navies. national, antagonisms
reaction, or in reverse, the spread of
Bolshevism through much Of the
world. This would be the defeat of
the hopes for which our sons were
sacrificed in this war.
idealism of the league and the danger
to our own ultimate peace, the solu-
ton of our domestic problems, such
as the size of our armament, reduc-
ton in taxation and the prevention
of agricultural and industrial depres-
sion and consequent unemployment,
is dependent upon stability abroad
and upon our acess to the worlds mar
kets, which today are endangered byI
discrimination against us through our
inability to exercise our veto under
the treaty. I believe it is the trans
cendent service which the Republican
party can render to the nation to set
tie league efficiently designed toI
give us these national projections
'No one should be able to dictate
the policies of great parties, yet every
man and woman has a right to decide
what issues and measures he will sup
port If the Republican party-with
the independent element with which
l am naturally affiliated-adopts al
forward looking, liberal, constructive
platform on the treaty and on our eco
nomic issues, and if the party pro-
poses measures for sound business
administration of the country and is
neither reactional or radical in its ap-
proach to our great domestic ques-
tions and is backed by men who un-
doubtedly assume the consummation
of these policies and measures, will
give it my entire support. While I
do not and will not myself seek the
nomination. if it is felt that the issues
neecssitate it and it is demanded of
me. I cannot refuse service
(Signed) Herbert Hoover"