Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-04-13
PRES|DENT'SA|M
IS KNOWN TO NONE
Attitude Toward Democratic
Nomination Concealed Even
From Mr.. McAdoo.
BY DAVID LAWRENCE.

An extraordinary. almost incredible.
situation exists inside the democratic
party with reference to the next
presidential nominee. The true story
has been known to few. 1t has been
kept quiet for a number of reasons.
1t explains a multitude of queries
that have been pulling the political
world. including the mysterious 81
lence of President Wilson himself on
a third term. Here are the main
points, but the relationship and sig
niflcance OF each to the other must
be considered
First. President Wilson directed
Secretary Tumulty to advise both At
torney General Palmer and former
Secretary William g. McAdoo on the
same day that he had no objection
to their candidates--indeed. they
were quite agreeable" to him.
Second, the President did not say he
would not be a candidate for third
term himself IL the democratic party
wished to draft him for service once
more. Not word on this phase OF
the matter was delivered by Secre-
tary Tumuity.
Purpose known to None.
Third Neither Mr.. Palmer nor Mr.
MCAdoo nor anybody In washington
knows the Presidents own purpose
with respect to the democratic presl-
Dental nomination. 1t was for a long
time suspect that MIR. McAdoo knew
the Presidents mind. but he doesn't
Fourth, although Mr.. McAdoo has
made several visits to the White
House in recent weeks and has spent
the night there, he has not had the
opportunity to talk with President
Wilson. Whether this is due to the
Presidents desire to remain absolute
ly neutral in the presidential nomi-
M 10 in Va Snn-in-
law is a receptive candidate or
whether 1t is dueNto Mr.. Wilson's un-
willingness to see anybody with whom
he might be tempted to talk shop
or public business when his physi-
clans insist that his attention be
given only to the most vital matters
Is something which is puzzling every
body.
1t is not unusual for guests at the
White House not to see the President.
And the circumstance OF Mr. McAdoos
relationship is considered a plausible
factor in the effort Of the President
not to appear to be approving or dis
approving ahybodys candidacy.
No Word From Mr. Wilson.
Even though the treaty and league
OF nations covenant has failed OF
ratification since the President sent
candidates. of Palmer or McAdoo or
others. there has been no word from
Mr.. Wilson to indicate that he would
like to be candidate himself
Nevertheless. after q careful inquiry
among friends of the President, per-
sons who have followed the trend
of Mr.. Wilson's reasoning in politics
for some time. the writer has become
convinced that President Wilson for
a long time did not wish third term
nor did he court the burdens Of
| another campaign.
The treaty. however. is dear to his
heart. The league Of nations is, in
his Judgment an ideal worth laying
down his life to achieve. He does not
consider himself physically too weak
to indulge in a championship of the
treaty before the American people.
What the outside world may think of
fecting his availability for the demo-
cratic nomination is one thing and
what the individual himself who looks
forward hopefully to early recovery
may think of getting back with zest
into the tight for the biggest thing in
his whole career is quite another.
Keeps Himself Available.
So while the President does not OBJ
ject TO anybody elses candidacy. and
probably would not lift finger To
give the impression that he wanted
the nomination himself. he has. in my
Judgment simply decided to keep him
self available in the event that the
sembled shall decide to draft him.
That is why the President does not
say he will not accept the democratic
nomination for a third term under
any circumstances. A crisis may
arise which in Mr.. Wilson's opinion
would brush away presidents and
customs about third term and call
for heroic steps. The country may in
two months be in the throes Of
domestic industrial disturbance. on
4
solution in the Ruhr valley. may be
on the verge OF bloodshed.
To a man who reasons that the
league of nations is the corrective
force and revisionary influence needed
to stabilize economic and political
conditions throughout the world the
prospect of serving the people once
more Is not looked upon as merely
the qualification of personal am
bition.
Mind Focused ON Situation.
The President has kept his mind
focused on the world situation-noE
on the things which have tended TO
bring sharp criticism on his domestic
policies.
There are many of his intimate friends
who are confident that the President
has no idea that his own stock has fall
en- or that his prestige has declined or
that democratic leaders who come to
W aSHl1lk lOu illSiSl lilul tuc W bSoH iooe
is going to be a heavy one for any cam
didate TO bear in the next campaign.
Mr.. Wilson's seclusion has been COM
plete. 1t has been due to his illness and
the Gordon which has been drawn about
him shutting out news and information
about the state of affairs in the demo-
cratic party.
Mr. Wilson may want to remain
available for the democratic nomina-
ton. But it is altogether doubtful
whether the delegates now being
chosen to attend that democratic con-
vention would nominate Mr.. Wilson
for a third term. The President has
kept his hands off too long to Insure
a denomination through the spontane-
Gus action of the convention. though
the White House influence has always
been a last-minute factor in turning
the scales heretofore in both repub-
lican and democratic conventions.