The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1920-04-15

l
should accompany the notice.
HOOVER A CANDIDATE.
The great question: What is
Hoover? has been decided by Mr..
Hoover himself. With a reiactanG e
sincere he has been drawn into the
maelstrom OF national politics and
has announced himself republican
and a receptive candidate for presl-
dent. Month ago we expressed the
belief that Mr. Hoover was too
positive man not to have political
lconvlctions, and that his birth, as
Dictated a development more on con-
sonance with republican than with
Democratic ideas. Later it appear
edthat he had been for some years
previous to his connection with the
government a member Of the New
| York Republican Club and there
was no known reason to assume
been materially changed. He at no
! time has given any encouragement
to the movement for his nominal ton
| for president by the democratic con-
vention, strong and persuasive
| though that movement has been. On
| the contrary, he has endeavored to-
discouraged it, and on the 10th or
March he telegraphed to New Hamp-
shire that under no circumstances
would he permit his name to be used
in connection with the democratic
presidential nomination. 1t is true
that he gave no encouragement TO
republican efforts in the same
direction, but there was a manifest
difterence-the difference between
depreciation and positive opposition;
He insists that he does not and
will not seek the nomination, but
says that IF the issues necessitate it
and it is demanded of me l cannot
refuse it, His decision is based, he
Says, upon the recent developments
over the treaty, stagnatlon in adjust
ment of our great economic prob
lens, and particularly the many
urgent representations have re-
ceived as to the situation in my own
state These, he declares, CON
vince me that it is my duty to con-
firm the action that my republican
friends there have already taken
without consulting me-" The action
he refers to is the placing of his
name upon the Republican primary
ticket in California, and the situa-
most strongly is the fact that with
out nim in the race California is
practically sure to elect a delegation
TO Chicago favoring the nomination
of Hiram Johnson. TO man of Nj.
Hoover's type Of mind and one OF
his broad convictions on American
policies, that would be a tragedy:
which III. Hoover is profoundly con-
cerned One is the Treaty Of Peace
and the other is the Treaty Of Peace
construction. The two, in his jUdg-
ment, are intricately and inextric-
ably associated. He believes the
League OF Nations should be accept
ed with proper reservations safe,
interests, while Senator Johnson is
strongly opposed to any league, ana
there is q great wish among republic
cans Of California, he understands,
TO have opportunity tC express them
selves Ill favor. Of the league with
such reservations. He says the
solution Of our domestic problems
lis dependent upon our stability
abroad and upon our access to the
worlds markets which today are en-
dangered by discrimination against
us thrOugh our inability to exercise
our veto under the treaty" The
proper settlement of these questions
is, he thinks, the transcendent serv-
ice the republican party can render
TO me nation.
The kind of platform which he
the kind that the great majority OF
looking, liberal, constructive plat
form on the treaty and on our
economic issues and an approach
to our great domestic questions that
is neither reactionary nor radical
is to be expected, if the convention
&c hJy
majority of the party, as surely it
ought to be. It's language and its
principles should be dictated by COM
mon sense mingled with broad pat
riotism, and we shall be disappoint-
ed il it is lacking in that clear
vision which sees beyond the
national horizon and discerns the
things that Intimately and material
ly concern us.
qualities that eminently fit him for
the high office of President of the
United States. What strength he
may develop as a candidate for the
nomination is, however, a matter. OF
conjecture. He is late in entering
Gen. Wood, both excellent men, seem
to be far in the lead in the race al
though Senator Harding, another
worthy candidate, and Senator john
son each has considerable follow
ing. Nothing less than a great
popular demand for Hoover's nomin-
alton, or deadlock in the con-
vention. would be likely to overcome
these candidates, and cause MS
selection No one can prOpheSy
with assurance in this matter. We
shall see what we shall see, but this
is a protean time and many things
may happen between now and June.
New York World.