New-York tribune., 1920-06-07
Johnson Denies
He's Weakeniing
On the League
s.I'n Be in the Fight Wher-
ever 1t Comes Up," He
Says; Claims Victory in
North Carolina Primary
Wants Borah Chairman
Lowden Changes His Mind
and Will Stay in Chicago
at Least for Few Days

CHICAGO, June 6.-Senator johnson
had stack Of telegraphic returns from
tn. North Carolina primary election
when be met Newspaper correspondents
for his regular interview to-day.
"My reports, which are very mearer. .r
he said. "ars that I have carried the
metropolis Of the state ten to one and
that it is safe to say that I have car
risd the entire state. North Carolins
i, the purest American state in the
Union, with less than / per cent Of its
population of foreign birth.
AYet suppose that . certain section
Of the press will announce tomorrow
that these Americans have been meta
morphosed into Sim F&iners, pacifists
pro-Germans and Red radicals BY the
act Of voting for me.
Stands Pat on League
"How, logically. \ candidate can be
selected bv tho Republican National
Convention for Presidential nomination
from among a field of four, who has
never been better than third or fourth
passes belief with me. / am convinced
that Republican convention will heed
the will Of Republican voters.
sit vii; De very unfortunate if the
convention forgets the wishes of the
rank and file of the party, who make
the party, and make the country as
well'
Somebody asked him how much of a
vote was cast in the state.
"The vote was light" he promptly
retorted. II suppose that will DESTROY
the indication of the primary for some
observers. If it had been the other
way, Of course, it would have showed
for them the magnificent discrimina-
ton Of the voters"
A questioner asked the Senator if
he was weakening on the league of
nations"
"Rot!" he declared. "Rot! I have
said came here to make q fight in re-
lasion to the platform. I'll be repre-
sented in the ultimate conference on
the league Of nations, wherever that
will be-anywhere it comes up"
Senator Johnson intimated he was
not being included in present confer
ences on the subject.
Want Borah - Chairman
The Senator remarked that he "had
no ideas at present" on permanent
chairman or organization Of the con
vention.
"I'm very anxious to see Senator
Borah when he arrives" he informed
another questioner. "I'd like to see
Senator Borah chairman Of anything he
wants to be, because Of the kind Of a
man he Is"
In quick succession, Senator John
son put aside questions on other
points, but paused a moment when the
fealty to his cause Of primary-bound
Delegates was touched.
or decent citizen will violate the law
in the matter" he said, "or trust that
is reposed in him"
Governor Lowden has reconsidered
his intention of leaving this city dur
ing the sessions Of the convention and
will probably remain here at least q
part Of this week.
Il probably will not 60 to Spring
field tomorrow night" the Governor
said to-day. II do not know Just when
! will 60, but probably will remain
IN town during several days Of the
convention"
The Governor said he was entirely
satisfied with the situation as it exists
IN the Illinois delegation.
Governor Lowden said he had not
gwen the question Of permanent or
sanization in the convention any con-
sideration and did not intend to.
1T makes no difference to us. who
is permanent chairman or what the
permanent organization is," he said.
Harding Reaches Chicago
Arriving to take personal charge of
his forces, Senator Harding, of Ohio.
said to-day that modern methods
:eemed to suggest the presence of can
cidates, particularly at this conven-
lion, for no decisive choice is mani
fest"
This Ohio mission is not to dictate
or demand" h. added, "nor even at
tempt dramatic appeal inside or out
side the convention.
1T would be folly to At platform TO
nominee and mark the end Of popular
government through political parties" !"
Senator Harding said he was here
because Ohio Republicans, in = pref
erenee vote, asked him to become q
candidate, adding that when his candi-
seAey was first suggested he announced
ne would be guided by the wishes Of
his party in Ohio.
The preference primary gave me a
VOTE he said, (which Is a call 20