Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-10-02
REPUBLICANS HOPE
TO GAIN MISSOURI,
BUT COX HAS SHOW
Rift in Democratic Ranks
May Swing State to
Harding.
BY DAVID LAWRENCE.

ST. LOUIS. Mo. October 2.-Missouri
cratic. The republicans are cocksure
they can win it. but Gov Cox has a
better chance to keep Missouri in the
democratic column than most people
imagine. Republican hopes are based
largely on dissensions within the
ranks OF the democrats-the rift be-
tween the prc-league Wilson forces
ana the anti-leagUe elements behind
Senator Reed. But the senator from
Missouri hasn't bottled the ticket. Be
ing a practical politician. he and his
friends are not planning to support
the republican ticket.
Just now the Kansas City star is
waging battle against the Kansas
City bosses who have been part and
parcel OF the Reed movement. On the
other hand, the Kansas City Post has
been making a fight for the league of
nations. Senator Harding is due to
speak in Kansas City soon and Gov.
Cox is campaigning in Missouri this
week.
The republicans brought Harding to
Kansas City in an effort to swing the
western end of Missouri. but the
sources of the Cox strength are mani
fold. He gathers in the friends of the
church folk and he gathers in the
vets The statements made by Gov.
Cox tending toward the dry side of
the issue have reassured the drys. but
have not disturbed the VETS. whose
trust in Cox is not of recent origin.
but long standing.
Three weeks ago the drift toward
the republican presidential ticket was
such as to make the democratic lead
ers nervous. but they are confident to-
IN " mil mi he 1niA 70
come tho normal democratic majority.
It 10 not at all unlikely. too. that
Breckenridge Long, democratic can
didate for United States senator, will
squeeze In.
Reed Creates Agitation.
The league of nations has been
rather widely discussed and aEitated
Gus opposition Of senator Reed. a
democrat. to the policies of President
Wilson. Republicans in Missouri could
not help but overhear the CONVERSE
ton going on between the democrats.
sisate h speh been ne ratbes sm s
RAISING position. trying to make his
original friendiiness to the league of
nations bear the burden of Senator
Hafdins's announced unfriendliness.
/. Locally there are no disturbing fac
tors in respect to the gcvernorship to
cause the rank and dle to take out
their troubles on the democratic ma
tienal ticket. Moreover. while the re-
publicans have made much fuss about
purifying their ranks and have done
result of the pre-cohVentton scandal
on delegates. in which Jacob Babler,
national committeeman, was involved.
the said Babier remains national COM
mitteeman.
inA NJ a h.
lican political organization In Mis-
spufi. New blood has been introduced
in the republican organization ana
the good republicans of the state re-
sent the bad repute which some OF the
olaar crowd gave to- Missouri in the
purchase Of Lewden delegates, ~.
Loss Of Irish vste. 80 -.-
In rfher words. the faetionaf trou-
bles in each of the two big parties are
about Q. stand-off. There will be some
loss Of the Irish and ahti-league or
nation followers of Senator Reed, put
not enough to do serious damage.
msnt Harsiias announces publicly that
he would not do anything officially anout
the FREEDOM OF Ireland if he were elected
President, while Coz has pledged him
self to bring the Irish question 70 the
q aH the nations , o. .Ae ~ Ss nc
ieaeue of nations The Ohio governor
has s4so Insisted that article X win pro
tect the territorial integrity and political
of Ireland as against ex-
ether member Of the league that the
irish would some day be thankful for
article Y. This is beginning To take
hold. ..t.
Conservative observers and sympa&Ais-
ers with repuhlicanism In Kansas CITY
toid tine writer they did not share the
confidence Of the republican leaders In
their prediction Of republican succeD In
All they would say was that
Missouri is doubtful state and that
Harding has a good chance to carry
ii if the election develops into . Fepub-
Iican landslide. Gov. Cox frightened his
lines in Missouri by his personal visit.
He holds the state as matters stand
today.