Evening star., 1944-03-21
.Stassen Willing
To Accept COP
Nomination
Letter to Knox Says
He Will Not Seek
Designation, However
THREAT OF THIRD PARTY hint
ed by Willkie in Wisconsin. Az

THREAT OF THIRD PARTY hint
ed by Willkie in Wisconsin. Az
By the Associated Press.
1t. Comdr. Harold E. Strassen.
former Republican Governor of
Minnesota, advised Secretary of
the Navy Knox today that he
will not seek the Republican
presidential nomination, but will
accept it If offered.
Comdr. Stassen disclosed his stand
in a letter addressed to Mr.. Knox,
who read it at his press conference.
The former Governor, who is flag
secretary on the staff of Admiral
William F, Halsey, jr., commander
of the South Pacific forces. said nu-
merous questions were being asked
of him "as to my attitude toward
the current inclusion of my name in
the presidential nomination discus
sion." Mr.. Knox interpolated In the
quotation that this is Stassens
statement"
Il do not seek and will do nothing
personally to secure the nomination.
II, Notwithstanding this position, I
were to be nominated, would con-
slider it to be my plain duty to ac-
cept, and would do so, requesting in
active duty for a sufIicient time to
discuss with the people the issues
and problems Of the future"
Name Offered in Primaries.
A convention delegate slate
pledged to Comdr. Stassen has been
entered in the April Wisconsin pri-
mary, and his name will 60 before
Nebraska voters in q preferential
primary a week later. He was in
dorsed last November by the Minne-
sofa Republican State Central Conn
mittee as "favorite son" candidate
for President.
Comdr. Stassen's campaign thus
far has been carried on by friends
and supporters, including Senator
Ball, Republican, of Minnesota and
Gov. Edward j. Thye, who succeeded
Comdr. Stassen as Governor of Min
nesota when the latter entered the
Navy.
The text of Comdr. stassen's let
ter follows:
TN recent weeks there have been
a number of questions by represent
atives of the press IN the South
Pacific as to my attitude toward the
|current inclusion Of my name in the
presidential nomination discussions.
"The same questions have been
raised in the public press on the
mainland, accompanied by an in
|creasing amount OF conjecture and
Speculation and attempts at inter-
probation and nlisinterpretation.
/ Il have therefore concluded that
it is desirable and in the best in
terest of my naval service that
my position be clearly, concisely,
promptly and publicly stated.
Will Not Discuss Issues.
"In reply to the questions that
are being asked as to my attitude
toward the current inclusion of my
name in the presidential nomination
discussions / will frankly and di-
rectly state my position:
Il do not seek and will do nothing
personally to secure the nomination.
IF notwithstanding this position
were to be nominated, I would
consider it to be my plain duty to
accept and would do so, requesting
inactive duty for a sufficient time
to discuss with the people the is
sues and problems of the future.
Il wish to make it equally clear.
that 1 will make no statement on
political issues while on active duty;
that I do not wish any publicity of
my activities in the Navy to be used
in a political manner, and that no
one is authorized to make personal
commitments on my behalf.
II will continue to carry out to
the best of my ability those naval
duties assigned to me-"