Evening star., 1920-03-19
HOOVER PAVES WAY
FORN0M|NAT|ONBY
c. 0.P!:, VIEW HELD
Appeal for Treaty Ratifica-
tion in Harmony With Re-
publican Opinion.
BY n. o. MESSENGER.

Politicians at the Capitol are gen.
orally of the opinion that Herbert
Hoover's appeal for ratification of the
treaty. with reservations to the
league of nations covenant, published
in yesterdays Star. If it does not
mark his formal entry into the presi-
Dental contest, at least paves the
way for it by making the record
straight. Heretofore Mr.. Hoover has
been popularity classed with the sup
porters of the league of nations un-
changed in form as presented by the
President.
In yesterdays declaration Mr..
Hoover aligns himself squarely with
the majority Of the republicans of
the Senate and with such republican
leaders outside of Congress as Elihu
Root, Charles e. Hughes. William H
Taft and others-for AmeHcanization
of the covenant.
Agrees With National Cenmittee.
This also is the attitude Of Will
H. Hays, chairman Of the republican
national committee, and the rank and
file of that overseeing Organization
of the national party. None of these
eminent and influential republicans
has advocated killing the treaty and
the league. Elihu Root announced
early in the discussion Of the league
-tfr1t- the covenant and the plan em-
bodied so much OF benefit to the world
that 1t would be a calamity to discard
the entire undertaking because Of q
few weaknesses,wh which could be
easily remedied.
Chairman Hays of the national COM
mittee. backed by what he believed
to be the sentiment of his fellow re-
publican leaders in all the states, be-
sought republican senators at the out
set not to reject the covenant, but to
attach reservations which would pro-
tect American interests beyond per-
adventure of doubt, and SO ratify it.
In two countrywide tours he found his
judgment sustained by the over
whelming sentiment Of republicans
everywhere. ~. III,
So. in his declaration Of yesterday,
Mr.. Hoover is deemed by the politi-
clans to have removed himself from
the category of those who would re-
ject the treaty altogether and likewise
those who would refuse to accept It
because it contains reservations to
safeguard American rights and poll
cies. >
On the question Of the league of
nations Herbert Hoover is with the
majority sentiment Of the republican
party in and out of Congress. His DO
sition is made clear in his own words.
without equivocatioh.
Differ. From President.
To be sure. in taking this stand, he
may be properly classed as having
parted company with President VIII
son--if. indeed. in the light of his let
ter to the President in Paris. he cou1d
have ever been considered as running
with the Presidents mind on this
subject. But the point is. Mr.. Hoover
has been described as being favored
by President Wilson for the demo-
cratic nomination.
As politicians see 1t. il President
to the polls next November on the
.straightout issue of the original
league of nations covenant as brought
back by him from Paris and Yer
sailles. Mr.. Hoover cannot be the dem
ocratic standard bearer. in view of
palmer language could he declare
"Your candidate I cannot be-" Poll
ticians think. that Mr.. Hoover has
burned all the democratic bridges be.
hind him-if they are constructed ON
the strict Wilson model of mo com
promise" on the league.
HOover's Letter Recalled,
1t will be recalled that in a letter
written some weeks ago Mr.. Hoover
stated. in effect, that he would defer
announcing his party allegiance until
he coulu see now the parties were
shaping their policies. At the time
many construed this as taking him.
self out of consideration as an as
pirant for the presidential nomina-
ton.
Politicians are now asking IL Mr.
Hoover feels satisfied that the demo-
ocratic party. under the leadership of
the President. is intent upon making
unconditional acceptance of the
treaty of Versailles a campaign issue
and if he has thus formally repudiated
association with such policy and
aligned himself with the republican
party and it's policy Of a conditioned
acceptance of the. covenant of the
league.