Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1920-05-01
DAVIDLAWRENCE
ANALYZES G.O.P.>
PRIMARY VOTE
BY DAVID LAWRENCE
Copyright, 1920. for The Atlanta Journal.
WA SLIINGTON Anril 0A--R nr11L

lican primary results in Massachu-
sets, Ohio and New Jersey have
failed to produce an overwhelming
enthusiasm for any of the leading
candidates but have merely accentu-
ated the fundamental line of demar-
cation between ultra-r radical and ul-
tra-cOnserVative thought in the party
itself.
Analysis of the returns and the To-
calities from which the preference
vote was polled would seem to indi-
cate that the more or less conSerVa-
tive elements in the Republican rank
and file are dividing their votes be-
tween Major General Wood, Senator
Harding and Governor LoWden,
while the middle of the road Repub-
licans show an inclination toward
Herbert Hoover and the extreme rad
icals or the progressives who hover
on the edge of radicalism and poll
cies of nationalism show strong
liking for Senator Hiram Johnson.
The substitution of Wood for
Harding or Lowden or the nomina-
ton of any one of these three men
would not mean the loss of the fol
lowing of the other two. Their
strength comes from precisely the
same type Of Republican voters. 1t
is interesting to note that all three
favor the League of Nations and
treaty Win Ge5efNtl4OllS, anu ClLCAl
supporters include the regular Re-
publican voters together with some
INDEPENDENTS. The bulk Of the indie
pendent Republican vote as the re-
turns would indicate is being dlvld-
ed between Herbert Hoover and Sen
ator Hiram Johnson with the latter
being supported by thousands OF new
voters, most of them formerly Demo
Gratis who have disapproved of Presl-
dent Wilson's stand on the League
of Nations.
Johnson Strong.
Certainly Senator Johnson who has
made no bones of his absolute OPP
position to the treaty and to the
league manages to poll as consider
able a vote even in eastern states as
he did in the middle west and far
west. The conclusion drawn here IS
that either the Johnson personality
which made itself so effective force
uDon the voters with RoosaVsltlan
magnetism or that those elements IN
the American electorate VINO feel
lLeenly about Article X are taking
this opportunity to express thelf a.
probation to Hiram johnson Tor MS
9a,oressiye fight in their behalf.
Nobody who knows Johnson well
von1d accuse him of going out de-
liberately to corral the vote OF the
irish sympathizers who feared
hidden value in England as agalnst
Ireland in Article X or the vote OF
the German mpathizers who felt
that the treaty was too haTsh TO
their kinsmen or the vote of Italians
angered over President wilson
stand in the F'iume question or me
vote of radicals and liberals VINO
felt that the postoffice department.
during the war and the department.
of Justice since the war have trod
upon the rights of free speech and
a free press.
But What is unquestionably true
is that these elements have of their
own volition gone into the primaries
to show their gratitude to Hiram
Johnson. His point of view on the
treaty was taken long. before the
tive throughout the country. His
pleas to return American soldiers
from Siberia which won johnson SO
much appreciation on the part OF
relatives of the soldiers in Michigan
was a logical part Of the Johnson
G.. o. 2. Leaders E1ated
Political leaders here seem to
recognize the sources of Johnson
strength and respect them as con-
tics. They, are not as sure of the
individual leanings of voters on
General Wood, Governor LoWden or
Senator Harding. All three seem to
draw from the. same large group of
regular Republicans Indeed the Re
publican leaders are very much elat--
ed over the combined vote given all
Republican candidates as compared
with the scattering votes in Demo
cratic primaries everywhere, where
the contest as between McAdoo,
Palmer, Cox, or Hoover is just as
much free-for-all as the Republi-
With the knowledge. that, Presi-
campaign, the Republican primary
results grow >doubly Interestingly In
Washington where from the begin |
Gng the Rarty H?E been
who wished to see the whole treaty |
and league defeated and "reserva- |
tionists' who wanted America to |
enter the league and ratify the
the vote in the primaries is. taken
as conclusive evidence that Repub- /
lican senators of both classes were |
not simply following their own per-
sonal likes =" dislikes, but that the
rank and file of the party itself
shows 'irreconcilabIes" as we'll as
'reSerVa tionistS."
Again, therefore, as President Will !
son forces the issue, the split be- |
tween the two wings of the party |
grows. Senator Hiram Johnsons fol- |
lowing appears as uncompromising !
as their leader. Fusion on the treaty |
issue will be well-nigh impossible.
Major General Wood, Governor Low
den, Senator Harding and even Her
bert Hoover are friendly to the trea-
ty. But to get the Johnson support |
they must denounce the whole bust
ness as vigorously as he has done.
Mr.. Wilson may be very sick man
and out of politics and all that sort |
of thing, but just as soon as the
party conventions, are held Or per-
haps sooner, his tactics will be to
e.