Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-04-18
REDUCTIONS by certain
- school of political philoso-
pliers that results of the

- school of political philoso-
pliers that results of the
Illinois primary last Tues
dav would eliminate either Gen.
Wood or Gov. Lowden from the
republican presidential reckoning
have not been borne out. The
primaries are over. the outcome
about what had been expected and
both Wood and Lowden. to all
intents and purposes continue in
the running.
But it would be idle to deny
that the Illinois primary results
have been without effect on the
general situation. Following his
signal defeat in the Michigan
primaries the previous week. fail
ure Of Gen. Wood to make a more
substantial showing in Illinois
him in states which have yet to
vote their preferences On the
other hand. Gov. Lowdens fail
ure to win q more sweeping vic
tory at home certainly has not
strengthened him as a candidate
Friends of Hiram Johnson are
making much do about the
California senator's showing of
strength in Chicago. but because
of the peculiar conditions which
governed the Chicago vote the
support he received there is not
calculated to increase his pres
tige generally throughout the
country.
1t would seem. therefore, that
the Illinois primaries failed to re-
suit in any substantial benefit to
any OF the republicans who con-
tested for presidential preference.
and that both Wood and Lowden
may be weaker rather than
stronger from the outcome OF the
voting.
If the republican presidential
contest was changed in any way
as result of the Illinois pri-
maries there are indications that
it may have been in the way of
benefits to Senator Harding of
Ohio. A dispatch TO The Star from
its political correspondent at In
dianapolis says the week has seen
marked tendency on the part of
organization republicans in In
diana to get behind the Ohio sena-
tor and make his candidacy a rail-
lying point for those who are OPP
posed to the Hoosier states dele
cation being instructed for Gen
Wood.
The Indiana primary law re-
quires that unless some candidate
receives a majority of the prefer
ence votes the delegation shall not
be instructed. The organization in
Indiana Is opposed to Wood, and
it's strategy In the past has been to
encourage a, multiplicity of candi-
dates in order to split up the vote
and prevent the military candidate
from getting a majority. But since
the Michigan and Illinois prima-
ries there are indications of
change in the plan of campaign.
which would concentrate the anti
Wood strength in support of some
one opposing candidate. Present
indications are that Harding is
likely to be that candidate.
The Indiana primaries are not to
be held until May 4. so that it is
possible for the Indiana anti-Wood
managers to delay a final decision
Is to their program until after the
results Of the Ohio primaries on
April 81 become known. Wood Is
contesting with Harding in Ohio
for the preference vote. and "
Harding gives his opponent a De
cisive beating it will make him
the logical choice of the Indiana
anti-Wood faction.
Senator Harding seems To be
playing the game with ratheY more
skill than some of his opponents.
and so far has managed to escape
being involved to any great extent
in the accumulation of bitterness
which promises to be so potent a
factor when the delegates meet at
Chicago to pass upon the merits Of
candidates. A dispatch from CO.
lumbus says his campaign against
Wood in Ohio has been conducted
with vigor but good nature. and
the belief is strong that he will
have the solid Ohio delegation.
despite the claims Of the Wood
management What appears to
have been a master stroke was
made when Harding accepted the
slate of delegates put forward by