New-York tribune., 1920-03-18
Suffrage Foes
Abandon Hone
In Delaware
Influence of Will H. Havs
and the Administration
Admittedly Too Great to
Give the sAntis' a Chance
Talk of Court Fight
Battle Is Purely Political:
Both Republicans and
Democrats After Prestige
Special Dispatch to The Tr;.,..,

opec'"' Daspdtch to The Tribune
WILMINGTON, Del, March II
representatives of the National Asso-
ciation Opposed to Equal Suffrage v;r.
tuaily have abandoned hope of prevent
ing ratification of the national suf-
frage amendment in this state. That
IS grudgingly conceded by them. Thew
1ear the tremendous influence of Will
RI. Hays, chairman Of the Republican
National Committee, on Republican
leaders here and the pressure on the
Democrats from members Of tho
Wilson Administration.
The "antis" have Counted noses" in
the House and Senate. On, paper thev
easily can demonstrate the defeat of
Vne amendment. They have imported
the most skillful of their LOBBYISTS
and are bending their efforts toward
promoting revolt from the leaders
OF the parties. But they are thor
oughly lacking in confidence.
Fight Purely Political
The "antis" know that both great
polltlcal parties look to Delaware to
ratify the amendment and that the
cards are stacked against them. Thev
realize the fight here is purely polit-
lcal' tnat 1t Is not a suffrage and anti
suffrage battle; it is contest between
ehe republican and Democratic parties
TOR the prestige of putting over the
thlrty-slxth state in the Union, with
none OF the leaders of either party
Wiling to be responsible for its de-
feat.
the National Woman's party has
ceased it's propaganda work. It is not
at all interested in MEETINGS and de-
monstratlons. It's officers are devot-
ing all of their time to the business of
keeping the leaders Of the Republican
party in line. These women are not
sollcltlng votes from the members of
the Delaware House and Senate. Thev
are keeping the issue clearly before
Mr.. Hays and T. Coleman du Pont
Delaware's representative on the Re-
publican National Committee.
Mrs. Florence Bayard Hilles, head
or the Woman's party in Delaware, has
received assurance from Mr.. du Pont
that the situation respecting the
amendment is satisfactory"
ohe mas received similar assurances
from Mr.. Hays. The leaders of the
been urged to aid the amendment bv
officials of the Administration, saw the
measure will be ratified.
Henry P. 1saacs, chairman of the
Democratic State Committee, said to-
day the Republican majority in the
Legislature would ratify the amend
ment.
Court Fight Threatened
1t was to Mr.. Isaacs that Secretary
Baker, Secretary Daniels, Secretary
Houston and Attorney General Palmer
sent letters urging ratification of the
amendment.
The "antis" have so little confidence
in their cause that already they are
to fight the legality Of the
amendment after it is ratified. They
look to the contest in Ohio as means
of forcing the sutfragists to make
drive for ratification in another state.
If the Ohio case is decided favorably
to suffrage and the women actually
vote in the Presidential election the
''antis' say they will engage the fore
most legal authorities in the nation in
an effort to drag the Presidential cleo
ton intosthe courts.