Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-04-11

thoroughly Q1goSted the re-
suits of the presidential
preference primary in Mich
igan last Monday, politicians are
turning with eager appetites to
Illinois. where the primaries are
to be held next Tuesday. This is
especially true of those whose in
terest lies chiefly in the republican
contest. for it is recognized that
the result In Illinois may seriously
cripple or eliminate entirely either
Gen. Wood or Gov. Lowden.
The Illinois primary offers the
first opportunity for a clean-cut
contest between Wood and Lowden.
as they are the only candidates en-
tered for the republican presiden-
t1al preference vote There Is a
complete set of Lowden candidates
for delegates to the Chicago con-
vention. both at large and in the
congressional districts. The Wood
managers have contented Them
selves with entering their candi-
GATE for the preference vote, with
out attempting to obtain the cleo
ton of Wood delegates. A possi-
b1llty of the situation, therefore ia
That Lowden men may be elected
delegates, but instructed to vote
1or the nomination of Wood.
** -
Opinion differs as to how ad-
versely the fortunes of tho de-
feated candidate will be affected,
out there Is agreement that Low
den would be the worst hurt. II
would be serious loss of pres
tige not to be able to carry his
own state. while the Wood man
ayers could argue that they hard
ly could be expected to go into
state and carry it against the
governor. 1t is not to be denied,
however, that after the results in
michigan, poor showing in Illi-
nofs would be a serious handicap
Tor the soldier candidate to carry.
The republican managers in In
diana, who are for any one to
beat Wood, already are planning
to drop Lowden in case Wood
makes an impressive showing in
Illinois. according to a dispatch.
from The Stars political CORE.
spondent at Indianapolis. Senator
Harding of Ohio, the correspondent
thinks. Is the man the anti-Wood
forces are likely to center on.
A few weeks ago Harding was
looked upon as strong contend
er in Indiana. but apparently he
did not make the progress .ex-
pected of him. for his support
seemed to have cooled. But tho re-
suit in Michigan. where L0wden
ran poor third. so depressed
Lowden stock in Indiana that the
very practical politicians out
there have about come to the con-
clusion- that the Illinois governor
is not the man who can head Off
Wood. So Indiana republicans are
intensely interested in next Tues
days Illinois primary. If Low
den gives Wood sound trouncing
and sweeps his own state there
probably will be no breakup Of
his support in Indiana, for a de-
cisive Illinois defeat would GER
tainly serve to dampen Wood SEN
timent In the neighboring state.
But II Wood makes showing
strong enough to regain partially
the prestige he lost in Michigan.
there will be another story to
tell.
\ X X \
The "stalwarts" or anti-Wood
leaders in Indiana are not anxious
to commit their delegation to Low
den, Harding or any other candi-
date. All they desire is that Wood
should be prevented from getting
a majority Of the presidential
preference vote, which would per-
nit of the delegation going to
Chicago uninstructed. But 1t Is
hard to get voters out to the polls
on a negative proposition. so that
there may have to be lining up
hack of some one man in order to
arouse the necessary interest and
enthusiasm.