Omaha daily bee., 1922-02-21

Strong Attempt viii BE Made
10 Replace James A. Reed
With Republican Sen.
alor Next Fall.
BY ARTHUR SEARS HENNING.

Kansas City Feb. 20 2O--Republean
leaders here and in ~, Louis are
preparing 10 make the most OF what
appears 20 them an unusual oppor-
tunity 10 elect a republican United
States senator from Missouri this
year 10 succeed James \. seed.
democrat.
The steady growth OF the republic
can party in this state 10 a point
that has shifted Missouri from the
sure democratic 10 the doubtful col
umn, and the bitter strife among
the democrats are the chief eonsid-
eratlons on which republican hopes
are based.
Whether Senator Reed will be
candidate ior denomination is un-
certain. The senator is now in the
state making a few speeches and
looking over his fences. but he says
he has not decided whether he will
seek reelection. He has talked oi
retiring from public life and remov-
ing to New York TO practice law.
Some OF his closest friends. however.
are convinced he will be a candidate.
rs an irreeoncilable opponent OF
the attitude OF the Wilson admins
tration on the Versailles treaty, the
league OF nations. and many other
issues. Reed has created considerable
havoc in the democratic party in
Missouri, from which arises some
doubt OF his ability to win renomin-
alton and considerably more doubt
OF the possibility OF his election.
Vow Vengeance on Reed.
The regular democrats and the
followers OF Woodrow Wilson, who
are now maniiesting their devotion
conspicuously by their zeal for the
Wilson memorial foundation, are
down on Reed and vowing VEN
geance. They will support any op-
poncnt in the primaries and il Reed
should be nominated they will vote
Tor the republican candidate by the
thousands, according to some OF the
anti-Recd contingent.
Reeds strength lies in his political
organization and in his hold on the
population OF German extraction, all
important factor in Missouri. His
opposition in the democratic party
is largely organized and lacking in
strong leadership, wherein would lie
his chief chance of success in the
primary.
The only candidate for the demo-
cratic nomination, so far formally
declared is Breckenridge Long, a
Young man who was third assistant
secretary of state in the Wilson ad-
mauistration. He was defeated for
the senate by Mr.. Spencer, republi-
eau, in 1920, but has gone after the
place again with redoublcd vigor. He
Is going Up and down the state max
lrg speeches, chiefly in glorihcation
Of the league OF nations and other
Nilsonian policies. evidently design
cd to solidify and keep alive that BIT
ter opposition to Reed in the demo-
cratic party which famed forth once
in the denunciation of the senator
by the Missouri legislature and again
in the refusal of the party to accord |
Linn place in the delegation TO the
san Francisco convention in 1920.
Managers Enthusiastic.
The managers of the Long candi-
dacy are enthusiastic over the pros
pcet, reporting significant bulletins Of
anti-Reed sentiment wherever the
senator's young antagonist has made |
speeches. Whereat the friends OF
Reed smile and murmur that this has
happened before, but somehow has
not been registered at the polls.
Republican National Committee
man Babler and other republican
leaders are confident they can defeat
the democratic candidate. whether |
he be Reed or Long. They count
on a serious division of the demo-
Gratis in either case and profess to
perceive no danger of similar dis
scnsion in the republican party.
No candidacy for the republican
nomination has been formally an
nounced, but it is not doubted that
Walter S, Dickey, long the million
airc angel of the party is Missouri
who recently purchased the Kansas
City Journal, will get into the field
before long. Dickey was defeated
by Reed six years ago.