New-York tribune., 1920-04-02
Name Is Suddenly With
drawn From Contests
by Petitioners; F.; Relief Is
Manifested by Palmer
Action Ignored
By President
Cummings Words 1ndi-
cate Plans for Third
Term Still Considered

ATLANTA, April 1.-The name of
President Wilson, which had been en-
tered by petition in the Georgia Pres
idential preferential primary, has been
Withdrawn by action of a number of
signcrs of the petition.
The time limit for entries expired
to-day at noon, and official announce
mcnt of the candidates who had been
certified, revealed that President Will
son was not among them.
Acknowledgement Palmer, Thomas E.
watson, former candidate for Presi-
dent on the Populist Ticket, and Sena-
tor Hoke Smith were the only candi
dates whose names will appear on the
ballots.
From The 7ribune's WASHINGTON Bureau
WASHINGTON. April 1.-The sud-
den Withdrawal of President Wilson'S
name from the Georgia Democratic
primary ballot, at the instance of those
VINO mad put it on, occasioned great
rciIef IN Administration circles here,
especially among friends of ATTORNEY
General A. Mitchell Palmer.
I"i ~ ~ tne udF II was made clear
that the President would take no action
to remove his name, but would Simply
ignore the whole affair. 1t was also
understood that he did not desire that
any one should make any move in this
dlrection which might give the i'm
preston that he had directed it,
Strategy of President
The strategy of the Presidents po-
sltlon is obvious. To withdraw his
name by his own action might have
been taken as sign that he had de-
clded positively not to be a candidate
Tor third term. Such step would
at once weaken his position as the
mead of the Democratic party. Fur
ther,, 1t is pointed out, if the President
really desires a rcnomination-and
there are many who believe that if his
health permits he will attempt it
georgia IS not an ideal state to choose
Tor demonstration of popularity and
strength. Very powerful political 'ac-
/ tors IN the Georgia Democracy are de-
termlncdly opposed to third term for
the President.
1t is known the Democratic leaders
mere were tremendously interested in
learning the names of the men who
had placed the Presidents name on
the primary ballot. 1t is believed that
appeals were telegraphed to these men
urging them to withdraw the Prcsi-
dents name. as it was not desirable
Tor him to be a candidate in the Gcor-
gia primary. while at the same time
1t was not desirable for him to make
any statement about it,
The whole episode has had the effect
OF increasing discussion here as to
whether the President will make the
race or not. When it was made clear
that the President did not intend to
have his name withdrawn from the
primary this was accepted as at least
a straw indicating that there is de-
cided possibility that Mr.. Wilson NAV
again be candidate.
In long Interview with newspaper
men here this afternoon Homer S.
Cummings, chairman Of the Democratic
National Committee. was asked about
the possibility of Mr. Wilson's candi
dacy.
"There arc two subjects which we
must Taboo MIR. Cummings said zone
Of them is the possibility of the Pres
idcnt running Cor third term; ths
other is the question Of canddates.'
Mr.. Cummings seemed to attach
some Importance, however. to the fact
that the Georgia primary is not cstab-
lished by law, but is merely organized
under rules laid down by the Demo
CidllC .1ldlc NOlnHnlLtcP.
Hope Seen for Palmer
Friends Of Attorney General Palmer
were privately much pcrturbcd early
to-day over the expectancy that the
Presidents name would remain on the
ballot. They had hoped that with Nc
Adoo having refused to permit his
name to remain on, ". Palmer would
make a showing of strength in Georgia
over Senator James A. Reed, of Mis-
souri,. and Senator Ifoke Smith, which
would give their candidate prestige
with Democratic delegations from other
states.
If Mr.. Wilson's namo had remained
on the ballot the Palmer strength
would have been greatly cut down and
the Palmer workers in Georgia en-
barrassed by the fact that vote in
this primary for Palmer would have
been in effect a vote against President
| Wilson.
Although Mr.. Cummings refused to
discuss the third term idea, it was
noticed that he dwelt with emphasis
on the very issues on which it would
seem probable that the President would
make his fight for Il third term should
! he decide to do SO.
Mr.. Cummings seemed embarrassed
at questions as to whether he had dis
! 'uSScG pIdllS Tor tnc campaign with
the President or intended TO do so
shortly. He revealed for the first time
how the Democratic party intends to
| link up the NcWberry campaign cX-
| ponditurcs question with the peace
treaty issue. It has been realized
since the Jackson Day dinner that the
| Democrats intended to capitalize tho
/ Ncwbcrrv expenditures 40 the limit
but Mr.. Cummings to day brought this
tC0ntinued on na1o four