Evening star., 1920-06-10

CHICAGO, June 10.-The third day
of the republican national convention
opened with the party machinery. for
the moment at least, doub1y dead
locked.
There had emerged from endless ne
gotiating behind the scenes no agree
ment either as to a presidential can
didate or on even a tentative draft of
vital plankS in the platform on which
the party will stand.
Overnight the league of nations is
sue had been swept suddenly upward
to a position of overshadowing i'm
portance, almost of menace, in party
councils. 1t was the rock on which
the special harmonizing subcommit-
tee on platform split after hours of
fruitless labor toward a compromise
Unable to agree on any declaration
proposed to be incorporated in the
platform, the subcommittee adjourn
ed long after midnight. A disagree
ment report from the subcommittee
faced the full committee on resolu-
tions when it assembled at am. to
take up the task.
Forced to Mark Time.
Meanwhile the convention itself
must mark time. No real progress
could be made with it's work and an
other early adjournment seemed likely
today.
When the mass of the more than
1000 footsore delegates arose to re-
sumo the endless round of candidates
camps and other headquarters that
fills the days for them pending the
final struggle of balloting the air
about them was tense with whispers
of impending events. Undehnable ru-
mors OF serious ruptureS between fac
tional leaders were abroad. There was
| talk of bolts and of what delegations
would walk out in that case. and there
l from where this
talk came.
| A few hours ago it was the anti
league forces against which cry of
prospective insurrection was raised Yes
terday the pro-leaguers. the "reserva-
tionists." were openly charged by their
| opponents with having brought discord
into the council of platform-makers.
And underneath this dispute on issues
still lay the unsolved riddle of the candi-
dates-Wood, Johnson, Lowden or-who?
Turns to Pact Question.
The first sharp turn to the treaty
| question negotiations by the select sub
committee of the resolutions committee
came yesterday. when former Senator
w. Murray Crane of Massachusetts,
, Joining the ranks of those favoring
qualified acceptance of the league cove
nant, served notice on the conferees that
such a course must be followed or
backed by senators who took that posi-
tion In Washington, or the fight would
be carried to the floor of the convention.
This was turning the enemys guns
upon him with a vengeance. Heretofore.
apprehension had prevailed among those
leaders struggling for party harmony
that 1t would be the 'irreconcilables'
who would stir to action the uncertain
waters of an Embossed convention if
their views against the league were not
met in the platform.
For a moment the irreconcila BILE
forces in the select committee, DOM
mated by Senators Borah and Nc
tCormick. seemed taken aback. They
Isprang to arms then in full force and
from that time until after / O'Clock
this morning the battle waged furi-
,ously behind the locked doors Of the
hotel bedroom. where the committeeman
in shirt sleeves and worn by the long
strain. searched every avenue for pos
sible escape from an open break.
Echoes of the contest spread swift
1y to even the most outlying posts of
the convention encampment. Toward
the end, before the select committee
gave up the task and decided to carry
the league issue. with several other
important points. back to the full
committee on resolutions. the strug-
gle overflowed the bedroom battle
field. A hasty conference in the cor
ridor outside was held after mid
night. with Senator Smoot of Utah
a committee member, laying before
his colleagues. Senators Borah and
Mccormick, draft plank he had pre-
pared. It's nature was not disclosed
but Senator Mccormick repudiated IL
with evidences of excitement His
shout of mo! no! no." was audible
through the hallway as the confer
ence was broken off by his return tc
tho committee room.
Night Struggle Halts.
Senator Borah said he saw at that
time no prospect of an early agree
ment. He and Senator Mccormick
left the meeting expecting to return.
and Senator Borah said he had been
opposing proposal that the struggle
continue all night. His prediction
was confirmed and his views sus-
tanned moment later, when the
committee adjourned
From that meeting Senator Smoot