The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1923-04-30
SEE
c. D. P. DROP
HARDING
Declare Party Will Repudiate
President in 1924 for a
New Candidate.
BY George r.. Holmes,
International News Service Staff
GoPrasrN4an1danf

The controversy within the Repub-
lican party over the international
court issue apparently settled down
today to a stage of "watchful wait
ing by both sides.
President Harding, it was said by
his friends, is content to let the
matter rest as it is for the present.
He has unreservedly placed himself
and his Administration behind the
court, and he is confident that time
alone will remove many of the bar
rters to Americon membership that
now loom so menacingly ahead.
Mr.. Harding believes that speeches
feed the fires of controversy and
that time heals more party splits
than statements and addresses.
Foes Are Content.
The anti-court element within the
party, drawing its strength not only
from the irreconcilabIes but also
from the regular school of q. o. p.
thought, likewise is content to let
things drift for a while, it appeared
today.
Senator Henry Cabot Lodge let.
ter to Governor Hyde, of Missouri,
in which he declined to indorse the
court and indicated that the Sen.
ate will write it's own reservations,
is construed in Republican circles
as reply to the Presidents court
speech of last week. The anti
court faction is willing to stand
for the present on the Lodge let
ter and let future developments
mold the character of their pro-
gram.
The return of Senator Hiram
Johnson from Europe is. awaited
with an interest in G. o. r. circles
here that is .plentifully mixed with
trepidation. Some prominent Re-
publicans, at least, hold the opinion
that the irreconcilable Californian
will leap into the leadership OF the
fight against the court, and take
it to the people by opposing PT EST
dent Harding in the primari es. The
prospect Is one that is giving the
Republican sages grave concern in
Washington today.
While the Republicans are ap.
parently content to put the "soft
pedal" on the court issue for the
present, the. Democratic policy d.
| recfors have no such idea. Re-
publican split. they feel, has drop
! ned into their laps, and they in
tend making the most Of it.
Predict Harding Defeat.
This was disclosed today by the
| weekly news release from the
Democratic National Committee
which contained the startling pre-.
diction that President Harding will
| be defeated for denomination next
| summer if he does not withdraw his
| candidacy.
According to the Democratic Ma.
| tional Committee, "a new and pow.
| erful" element within the Republic
| can party is now ranged against
| Mr.. Harding's denomination.
There is hardly western State
| in which Mr.. Harding hasn't Oh
position" continued this Democratic
| blast.
"In some respects" it went on,
| Mr.. Harding's position resembles
President Arthur's. The Republican
organization foresaw Arthur's weak
ness as a candidate in 1884. just as
the successors to those politicians
forsee Mr.. Harding's weakness in
1924. The Republican bosses picked
quarrel with Arthur over patron
age and then used this as an excuse
Tor RELOCATING him."
republican leaders, for the most
part merely smiled at this ambitious
democratic summary of conditions
To-Day and had no comment to offer
by way of answer they pointed out
that within the last eight weeks
every Republican leader of note has
predicted President Harding's re,
| nomination and reelection