New-York tribune., 1920-02-12
Hoover Leaves
i'm Doubt
Asserts Bryan
Advises Californian TO De-
eide OH Party Affiliation,
Help Build Platform and
Take Stand on Questions
Terms Edwards Lawless
Would Rebuke sInsolence'
of New.Jersey Governor in
Aspiring to Be President
Special Dispatch to The Tribune

PALM BEACH, Fla, Feb. II. -
William Jennings Bryan, former Secre
tary of State, gave. out an interview
here in which he declared that "the
peace treaty will be ratified within a
week." He thought Herbert Hoover's
statement manly, but just such one
"as might be expected from one who
does not understand American poll
ties; disapproved of the candidacy of
either General Wood or General Perish
ing on the ground that no professional
soldier should fill the Presidency in the
midst of the task of solving present
problems, denied consideration of his
own candidacy, with some reservations,
and criticised Governor Edwards of
New Jersey for his attitude at the
Cummings dinner in New York when
he proposed that prohibition become
the subject of a national referendum.
On the subject of the peace treaty
Mr.. Bryan, after predicting final action
within week, said "The Grey letter,
together with the statement made by
the French Embassy removes all doubt
as to the willingness of the Allies to
accept any reservations. 1t ought not
to take the Senate long to agree upon
reservations when it knows almost any
agreement will be satisfactory to the
Allies. What the Allies want is that
our country enter the league of ma
tions Immediately"
Doubt AS to Hoover's Position
Discussing Hoover, Mr.. Bryan said
no one could tell whether he would
make Il good candidate until he stated
his position on public questions.
Didn't he do so in his statements ?"
Mr.. Bryan was asked
"No," said Mr.. Bryan. "His state
ments were too general. But how
could they be otherwise if he does not
know yet with which party he is to be
affiliated? If he had party affiliations
we could make guess as to what he
believes but he denies Us even that
privilege. In way it is but natural
he should wait until the conventions
act before deciding, but | wish he
could decide now and then &c in and
help make his party platform a good
one. man big enough to be Presi-
dent would of course, have a large in
f1uence in his party. and just now the
work Of shaping party policies is more
important than waiting for presidential
nominations"
Mr.. Bryan made this comment on
General Woods condidacy and said it
applied as well to General Pershing:
81 do not think this is the time for the
United States to nominate profes-
sional soldier. 1t would be misin-
terpreted by other countries, and would
indicate Indifference toward the great
domestic problems that professional
soldier is not likely to understand and
rot likely to deal with in the way they
should be dealt with. A professional
soldier is like surgeon. You go to
him only when you need something in
his line, andssurgery is the last thing
that the world needs Just now" 81
The former Secretary of State was
reminded that at the Cummings dinner,
Secretary of the Navy Daniels had been
credited with having referred to him
when he said "it is certain that the
Democratic leaders will have the wis