Evening star., 1944-03-22
Potential Nominees
Should Come Out Into
Open, Wi|Ikie Says
BY GOULD LINCOLN.
Star Staff Correspondent

nomination, stood committed to
the thesis that the other three
potential nominees to whose
causes delegate candidates are
pledged-Dewey. Macarthur and
tassen-should announce their
candidacy and discuss the issues
or withdraw.
He criticized the statement of
1t, Comdr. Harold E. Stassen,
sent to Secretary of the Navy
Knox, that, while he was not seek
ing the nomination, he would run if
named by the national convention,
declaring that any candidate should
make an unambiguous statement to
the voters. At the same time he
challenged Gov. Dewey and Gen.
Macarthur to make their positions
clear. He summed it up as follows
AL the men for whom delegates
are running in Wisconsin can say in
very simple and unambiguous Ian
guage that they do or do not desire
the voters of Wisconsin to vote for
the delegates pledged to their re-
spective candidates."
Mr.. Willkie took time off last night
to see that his name was entered in
the Maryland preferential primary
In his effort to prove to the lead
ers of his party he has voting
strength among the rank and file,
Mr.. Willkie now is entered in the
Wisconsin, Nebraska, Oregon and
Maryland primaries.
Supporters Gleeful.
Willkie supporters rather gleefully
suggested that Mr.. WILKES campaign
in Wisconsin was getting the other
fellows jittery-that one at least,
Comdr. Stassen, had felt it necessary
to declare himself in the race. For
they interpreted the Stassen state
ment he would run If nominated as
declaration of candidacy Gov.
Dewey has said repeatedly he was
not candidate. If the New Yorker
ever made the statement he would
run if nominated it would be COM
plete reversal--it would be tanta-
mount to saying he was a candidate.
In three speeches in Appleton yes
terday Mr.. Willkie stressed his con-
tention that if his candidacy is not
upheld in Wisconsin "the Republican
party Is going to take route down
which it will go, defeat in Novem-
ber."
Help me, help elect my delegates
in Wisconsin," Mr.. Willkie pleaded.
The only thing to do is to uphold
me.
To many in hi. audiences it. ap-
peared that Mr. Willkie was clearly
saying that if he is not nominated
by the Republicans the presidential
election will again go to Franklin D.
Roosevelt.
Willkie- -Stassen Split.
1t Is clear from Mr.. WILKES
statement apropos of Comdr. Stas-
sens message to Secretary Knox that
the parting of the ways has come
definitely for Mr.. Willkie and the
former Governor of Minnesota, who
was his floor leader at the Repub-
lican National Convention in 1910.
TT is difficult" Mr.. Willkie said,
''to know from the announcement
whether Gov. Stassen is a candidate
or not. The only way, as have en-
phasized in this campaign in Wis
consin, our system can function is
through public discussion. The pri-
mary in Wisconsin is for the pur-
pose of providing the people of this
State with method of making a
choice after they have heard a dis
cussion of the issues.
obviously those who seek the |
preference of the voters of Wiscon-
sin should discuss the issues with |
them or, if they have rendered |
themselves unable to do so, then it |
occurs to me that they should de-
cisively and not ambiguously with
draw from the contest"
A Dewey State.
In this part of his statement, Mr.. |
Willkie was telling Gov. Dewey that |
he should announce that he would
not accept nomination, or become |
an open candidate. He also was tell |
ing Gen. Macarthur, as we'll as |
Comdr. Stassen. they should with |
draw. since they are both in the |
armed forces in the South Pacific
and unable to discuss the issues.
Wisconsin is, it appears, a Dewey
State. If he were an open candidate
he would probably sweep the State
in the April primary. The people
out here however, have been puz-
zled by Gov. DeWey's attitude. It'll
may lose him a lot Of votes. Both
Gen. Macarthur and Comdr. Stassen
have supporters here, with the re-
suit that the Willkie opposition is
divided, giving Mr., Willkie more
chance than he would If he we're
in contest with Gov. Dewey.
The Chicago Tribune. which circu-
lates widely in Wisconsin. in an edi-
torial yesterday, denounced Mr.. WILL
kie. Mr.. Willkie was quick to come
back at the Tribune. In speech in
Appleton, he scored the attitude of
that newspaper and declared that
any man who was supported by the
Tribune, either for the nomination
or after he was nominated, would
lose the election. because of the
Tribune's isolationist stand.
Read Gerald Smith Report.
Mr.. Willkie also read from re-
port in the New York Daily News
quoting Gerald l.. K Smith, head
Of the revived America First party.
saying Gov Dewey, Gov Bricker of
Ohio and Gen. Macarthur are ac-
ceptable Any man who fails to re-
pudiate the Endorsement Of Mr.,
Smith, Mr. Willkie said. could not
be elected President.
Mr.. Wlllkie told his hearers that
for three and half years there has
been a concentrated campaign Of
defamation" directed against HIM
self. It began. he said, after he had
Endorsed the lease-lend bill. All
kinds of accusation had been made
against him.
There are no secrets about me, -
Mr.. Willkie said Il take glass OF
beer-I did the other day with your
Gov. Goodland, and occasionally
Scotch and soda. l have been ac-