The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-01-27
BAKERS CAUSE
HELPED BY HIS
LEAGUE STAND
Opposition to immediate
Entry by U. S. Cheers
0hioan'S Friends.
Continued from Page II


Smiths opposition candidacy to cut
into the New York Governor when
such development would prove most
Bakers statement was significant
because some of his friends have
felt that his never-concealed belief
in the League of Nations might
hamper them in advancing him as
a compromise candidate. Despite
constant mention of him as a presi-
dental possibility. Baker on recent
occasions frankly has reiterated his
faith in the league.
Lest he be misunderstood, Baker
IN his latest statement, predicts
again that some day the United
States will go into the league and
ought to. But he says he would
not, If he had the power, take the
United States into it until an in
formed and convinced majority of
the American people favors it.
i am not IN favor Of a plank in
The Democratic platform urging our
Joining the league" he said.
So far as Baker is concerned, this
Is intended to d-isassociate the
league from the coming presidential
race. It meets the chief fear that
opponents had raised against him.
Baker said he was not a candidate
for President. 1t is certain, how
ever, that he would accept If a
nomination we're rendered.
Regarded Logical Compromise
Many i-Roosevelt Democrats
regard Wilson's secretary of wal as
the logical compromise. Roosevelt's
friends claim he is within 100 votes
OF the necessary two-thirds.
Others, however, believe his posi-
ton is highly dependent upon what
Alfred E. Smith does. An attempt is
being made to set Smith up as an
opposition candidate.
In the latter event, Baker, re-
Rarded as one of the most brilliant
men in the party, but refusing to
play the conventional game of a
prospective candidate. is expected to
be thrown into the balloting as a
compromise.
Senators Are Pleased
Comment on b .ker's statement
included the following:
Senator Walsh Dem. MONTH
] know Of no one who has been
eager to or is attempting to raise
the league issue at this time. In
fact, it has been ignored pretty
generally since the 1920 campaign.
Senator Dill Dem., Wash.)-
| think it is extremely encouraging
that such eXtraneous issues as the
league question are to be taken
out of the political situation at this
time in order that we may con-
centrate on the hard times issue.
Senator George Dem, Ga.)-I
am gratif1ed to see him take that
position. He is entirely correct in
saying that the league is not and
ought not to be a vital question in
the campaign.
Senator King Dem., Utah)-It
Is a wise statement. l always have
been an ardent supporter of the
league and l think the people were
influenced by propaganda and an
appeal to prejudices in expressing
themselves on it.
Right, Says Butler
DR.. Nicholas Murray Butler, pres
ident of Columbia university and a
leading Republican, said:
LAS is usual when Mr.. Baker
makes a statement on public af-
fairs, 1 find myself in complete
agreement with him. No interna-
tional policy can be effective, or even
helpful, if it is the outgrowth of
internal party differences and dis
sension. To be constructive and to
endure, it must have behind it a
great body of public opinion, re-
CARELESS of parties.
Frank L. Polk, un~dersecretary of
state in the Wilson administration,
said:
Il thoroughly agree with Mr..
Baker on the League of Nations
question. I think it always is UNI
fortunate to make any international
friendship a partisan friendship.
Colonel Edward M. House, conf
dental adviser to President Wilson
during the 1919 peace conference,
said:
II believe one of the greatest
drawbacks to the peace of the
world was TIE refusal of the United
States to join the League of Ma
tions at the beginning. However. l
agree entirely with Mr. Bakers
statement"
John w. Davis, Democratic presi-
dental candidate in 1924, said:
Il am entirely in agreement with
Mr.. Bakers remarks"