The Washington herald., 1920-06-28
NEARLY AGREED
ON THIRD TERM
League Fight Makes Wilson
Only Logical Leader,
Is Feeling.
ADMIT DEFEAT LIKELY
Confidence Proclaimed AZ
ter Chicago Convention
Now All Gone.
ADMIT DEFEAT LIKELY
(By a star CorrespondentJ

seems a curious change in the atti-
tude of such of the Democratic lead
ers as were in Chicago at the time
of the Republican convention and
who are now here. Immediately fol-
lowing the Harding nomination
there was a tendency on their part
to magnify the obvious discomfort
with the action of that convention
among the more radical Republic
ans. and to find in it some reason
to hope for Democratic success.
But events since have not tended
to justify this optimism. The Re-
publican disaffection has not grown,
and indeed. seems to have been ma
terially allayed. The much h-dis-
cussed independent party does not
seem to be making headway outside
the Hearst papers, although its pro-
moters announce they are awaiting
the action of the San Francisco con-
vention before making clear their
plans. 1t seems apparent, however,
that they are likely to be reduced
to La Toilette for a Presidential
take him seriously as a considerable
vote getter.
Disscnsions In Own Camp.
But aside from the waning of the
third party prospect, the Democratic
managers find their chief reason for
fearing disaster arising from dis
sensions in their own camp. And
while the league of nations and the
liquor issue afforded enough points
of sharp antagonism, the growing
belief that President Wilson seeks
to make himself once again the
candidate has thrown into the back
ground all lesser sources of political
worry.
talked today with an exceeding
ly distinguished member of the ma
tional committee, who recalled to
me the fact that nearly four months
ago, in Washington, he had told me
be believed the President would seek
a denomination. And he is not one
of those who are bitter over the
fact. Rather he regards it with res
ignation. as a political disaster,
made inevitable by the logic Of the
situation.
May BE Only Logical Candidate.
THE situation is simply this" he
said. The Republicans have adop-
ted a platform which, so far as the
league is concerned, leaves us no
way of making a direct issue except
by the specific approval of the
Presidents action in all matters re-
lating to the treaty. five are
forced to do this, what candidate
can we offer so capable of defend
ing that plank as the President
himself? 1 might go furChers and
inquire what candidate could we Of
fer no would be willing to defend
such a plank except the President?
1T is no secret that the men who
would be strongest with the cleo
torate are not in entire harmony
with the Presidents foreign policy.
do not know one, unless it be Sem
ator Hitchcock, who would be will
ing to make a campaign in favor of
the ratification of the treaty with
p out amendment or reservation, and
no one looks on Hitchcock as a man
who would be strong before the
people.
In Desperate Position.
'It is going to be hard enough
to defend the treaty before the peo-
pie OF course 1t would be doubly
hard IL it's champion was himself
only a half-hearted believer in 1t.
So we might as we'll give the job
to the President himself OF course
the third term issue will weaken
him, and the very general public
opinion that his health will not
make his election either wise or
safe will be a further source of
weakness. But we are in a des-
perate position and may as well
adopt a policy of desperation"
This speaker was in a more
courteous mood than the United
States Senator, himself a candidate
for reelection on a platform con-
demning the treaty, who remarked
to me 1--WE might as we'll renomi-
nate Wilson and let him take the
beating he has arranged for the
party"
More Than Receptive.
Except among the personal repre-
sentatives of the various candidates
there seems to be no doubt whatso-
ever that the President is some
thing more than a merely receptive
candidate. But you will not hear
any admission of this in the head
quarters of the Palmer boomers.
where Maj. o. P. Newman and
Frank Lord. well known Washing
tonians both. are actively pressing
the claims of the Attorney General.
Il do not think Mr.. McAdoo's
withdrawal is in any way indica-
tive of pressure brought upon him
by the President" said Maj. New
man. TT has long been known that
Mr.. McAdoo was exceedingly doubt
full as to the wisdom of his max
ing the race. Personally 1 think
he would have been an exceedingly
strong candidate, and had 1 not
been convinced, months ago, that
he would not make the contest,
should not have taken up the can
didacy of Mr.. Palmer.
But to those who know McAdoo
best the talk about his retirement
at this late day being forced by the
President is simply absurd. He
never expected to run, and that Is
all there is to 1t. As for the Presi-
dents candidacy, I can see no rea-
son to believe that his attitude has
changed since the day when Mr..
Palmer first announced his own
candidacy. We are not worrying
about that feature at ALL"
Doubt seems General.
Perhaps none of the Presidential
boomers will admit worry, but the
fact remains that the doubt as to
the Presidents position has put a
complete check to their work here.
There Is no progress being made
by any of the booms. There was
an effort for a day or two to make
it appear that Carter Glass was
TO be the residuary legatee of the
McAdoo strength. but there is no
longer any talk of that kind. There
have been few philosophical, IL
despairing. souls who have. argued
that. since the nominee stands but
n slight chance Of election at best.
this might be a good time to break