Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1920-10-10
SUNDAY. OCTOBER 10. 1920.
AT the Crucial Stage

THE present campaign has progressed to
the point where it may be said 10 have
reached the crucial stage ut which the yot-
cis Will definitely decide their attitude to-
ward the respective presidential candidates..
IN the main this attitude will be determined
on the part of the more intelligent voters by
choice between having the United States
enter the league of nations, as consistently
supported by Governor Cox, or staying out
as. after much uncertain wabbling Senator
harding now proposes. In brief, ii is settled
that the league Of nations is to be the chief
issue IN the campaign, and, thus confronted
u Is up TO both parties to get down to brass
tacks, SO TO speak, in supporting their re-
spective positions.
Nice-Presidcnt Marshal!'s analysis of pub-
lie sentiment with respect to the league is
sue seems 10 be fairly accurate. He says
that About one-thrd OF our people favor
the league OF nations as presented An
other third favor the league with rcser-
vations, and the rest are against any kind
OF league" The votes OF the one-third
who favor the league as presented will of
course, be cast for the Democratic nominee
The votes OF the one-third who are against
any kind OF Il league naturally will be cast
for the Republican nominee This leaves
one-third of the total vote in position TO
determine the result of the election, and.
American participation as a member
This one-third is made up OF voters az
Eiiatcd with both parties in the past and
OF considerable body OF ndenendent
voters Just how strong will be the bonds
Oh part" allegiance in determining the
votes of these respective partisan clements
is the indccisiye factor in forecasting the
result. after making due allowance for in
huences which operate to determine the
choice OF voters independent OF party obi
CATION. In the view OF Nice-President Mar
shall the Republican candidate took a
fatal step when he came out fatty for
rejection OF the league OF nations
There would seem to be reasonable
grounds for assuming that the Vice PRIEST
dent has correctly appraised the effect OF
senator liardings latest stand. Some OF
the most eminent Republican leaders OF the
past are openly and avowedly in favor of
entering the league with reservations which
III their opinion, Will more cffectually safe
guard American interests without adversely
ahecting the true league objective These
leaders are supported in their attitude nv n
large element OF rank and file Republicans.
thus confronted with TWO alternatives VIVA.
VIII be the decision OF these leaders as to
their further attitude toward the two presi-
dental candidates.? AS they decide 81
likely VIII the vast majority of rank and
ME republicans OF similar opinion decide.
VIII the ties OF party regularity be suf-
hcient!y strong to hold them TO an Milo
glance which would amount 10 rcnunciation
oil principles for which they have consist
emily stood in the past? Or Will they stick
10 principle, maintain their record for con-
sistency, and throw their support 10 tho
candidate and the party which propose 10
clarity the league wherein it is lacking in
clearnesS, 20 in, and make il a vital mr.