The Washington times., 1920-05-30
LEAGUE ISSUE
WELL DEFINED
Platform Of Va. Democrats Puts
Problem in Concrete Form
for Conventions.
h JAMES H. NoURsic.
~ UsiversaI Service.

President Wilson's unqualified en-
dorsement OF the platform adopted
by the Virginia Democrats has 'ciari-
ned tho League OF Nations issue Tor
the PRESIDENTIAL campaign.
As the platform unreservediy sap
ports the treaty and the league
covenant and the, efforts made by the
President to have them ratified, there
remains no longer any question that
the President intends to exert all Of
his influence to have the san Fran :
cisco. convention adopt a similar posi-
ton. go. q.
The big fight. therefore, will come
when the Wilson forces standing for
endorsement OF the league clash with
the faction led by Bryan, which In
sists that unless the party declares
for the adoption of reservations II will
be doomed to defeat IN the November
election. Bryan and his immediate
followers are thoroughly convinced
that the party has not a ghost of a
chance to win IL 1t gets behind The
Presidents policy with respect to the
league. They represent a faction CT
the party which many wise men be-
lieve will be in the majority in the
convention.
Forces Hand Of q. q. y.
Aside from it's effect upon the Demo
cratic gathering. the Presidents let
ter to Senator Glass will also tend to
define the issue more sharply for the
Republicans. 1t is likely to convince
those doubtful members of the rarty
that it wilP be the part of wisdom
for the Republicans to come out with
q ctear-cut and unmistakab'e &C.
nunciation of the whole league
scheme. Talk nj reservations and
"pussyfooting" en- the treaty issde
are apt to find small favor with the
Republicans, nov that IL is definitely
known that the President will insist
upon an endorsement by his party m
the national convention. Any other
course than absolute reputation nf
the league would leave the RepuDli-
cans in practically the same position
as the Democrats, anC would make Il
hard for the voters to differentiate
between the attitude Of the two
parties on the league issue.
Rejoice Issue Is Clear.
Senator Borah and other party lead
ers rejoice that the President has
made the issue so clear. They have
been contending for plank in the
Republican platform which would
leave no doubt in the minds of the
voters that the Republicans are ut
terly against the league. They feel
that the Presidents pronouncement
on the question has aided them in
their fight for an 'irteconcilable"
plank.
Senator Hiram Johnson returned
yesterday from his tour of North Car
olina, and expressed himself as well
pleased with the reception given him
by North Carolina voters. Every
where he spoke he was heard by
large audiences. who cheered his
every utteSance against the, league.
The Senator Is confident of receiving
a majority in the Republican primary
which is to be held in North Carolina
three days before the Chicago con-
vention assemblies.
johnson On Speaking Tour.
Senator Johnson intends to carry
the league issue to the people by a
series of speeches in various cities
of the East, winding up his campaign
with mammoth gathering in the
Auditorium in Chicago the night be-
fore the convention meets. He will
speak next week in Pittsburgh, Phil
adelphia, and Cleveland. In his Chi
cago speech on the eve of the con-
vention he will hammer home the
arguments against acceptance of the
league plan.
Senator Borah will also speak at
the Auditorium gathering. He will
carry the same message to the peo-