The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1920-03-11
MAY
INDICATE HIS
|NTEhT|ONSSOON
Leaders Conjecture as
to Way the Wind is
Likely to Blow as to
Candidacy for the Lead
of the Ticket.
By Jay JEROME WILLIAMS

didate. or intends to Withdraw en-
tirely from the race was today an ex-
tremely acute question in political
circles, but one that gave every evil
dence of being answered within the
next few days.
The political situation SO far as the
Democrats are concerned, was con-
siderably clarified this afternoon
when William G. McAdoo, former sec
rotary of the treasury. and perhaps
the foremost Democratic candidate,
committed himself publicly for the
first time on the treaty in an exciu-
sive state TO Universal Service. MIR.
Meade said: -4-.--
4 have always been for the rati-
fication of the treaty without reserva :
tons SO that we might enter athe
league of nations on basis of equal
itM with everyone else. But II there
are to be reservations | believe they
should be merely interpretative so
that the substance will not be
changed"
1t Will thus be seen that Mr.. Nc
Adoo views the treaty in exactly the
same mind as does the president and
as the latter feels that his health is
such as to prevent him from en-
gaging in a campaign for a third NOM
nation, Mr.. McAdoo might easily be
his standard bearer.
But until the president makes some
definite announcement on the subject
of q third term, the McAdoo cam
paign will have to bear the incun-
brance of his silence.
Persons who advocate the nomina
ton of Attorney General A. Mitchell
Palmer. declare that the president
lis out of the race"
The supporters of Mr. McAdoo
who has no organization that is func-
tioning openly. take the position, that
under certain circumstances the pres
ident might be forced to run, and the
lieutenants of VIM. Jennings Bryan.
and many other possible candidates.
who are waiting to determine their
course of action. say the president is
candidate and moreover they insist
that his candidacy will mean party
suicide
Out of the McAdoo, Palmer and
Bryan camps there will come. pos
sibiy within the next week, action
that Will have decided effect on the
Democratic campaign.
Mr.. Bryan will be i'm Washington
next week and he will spend his six
'tieth birthday. which occurs March
10, in this city. Unless the president
is heard from by then. the com
moner and his followers will declare
war on a third term. Their position
will be that the president is through,
that he failed to win his treaty fight
and that it is up to him to assist In
securing harmony In the party ranks
by eliminating himself rather than to
bring on chaos by putting himself
forward
From source well within the
circle of those whose smile on the
attorney general. it was learned today
that Mr.. Palmer believes he has
forced declaration from the men
who advise and consult with the
president that upon the expiration OF
the treaty tight. one way or another,
he will declare he no longer has
political ambitions At a dozen meet
ings held here recently by, Demo
cratic leaders and one OF these SEES
sions was for the purpose Of resus-
citating the treasury OF the Demo
traffic nationaL~c ommittee--the ques-
ton of the presidents plans has been
discussed