Evening star., 1948-05-28
Vandenberg Favored
As Possible 6. 0. P.
Compromise Choice
Rank and File Delegates
SkepticoI Whether Dewe,
Or Taft Can Be Elected
Bv David Laurence

recurrence OF TuIllOFS HOOuI LIE
health of Senator Vandenberg of
Michigan are regarded here as a
convincing sign that he is attract
ing extraordinary attention as a
possible compromise choice for the
Republican nomination.
The facts about Mr.. Vandenberg'
health have been given frankly by
his physicians, and a recent refer
ence in an article in Life mag
azine, written by James B. Reston
of the New York Times staff in
Washington, indicates that the
Michigan Senator himself was in
favor of publishing the truth. The
article says that Mr.. Vandenberg
has had what is called a SLOW
heart" but that his physician de-
clared In statement that this is
no barrier to the continuance OF
his work in public life.
The Michigan Senator is plainly
favored by more and more Republi-
cans, and the talk in Washington
is that he is likely to be chosen
after a deadlock between the Dewey
and Taft factions.
Delegates are Skeptical.
Such a deadlock can only mean
that the rank and file of the dele
gates are skeptical as to whether
Taft or Dewey can be elected. Up
to now, the Republican talk has
been that any one could be elected.
But this is usually qualified by
doubt the moment any mention Is
made OF a draft of General Eisen-
hover by the Democrats.
AS one Republican from the Mid
ole West put it: Suppose we nomi-
nate a man VINO hasn't the record
in favor of the international pro-
gram that Senator Vandenberg has.
Suppose the Democrats appeal to
Eisenhower that he must, as duty
TO the troops he led overseas, carry
on the policies of international
action which the present admins
tration has sponsored. Against some
of the men now being mentioned
for the presidency this might be
a potent argument with the voters.
The Republicans therefore must
choose a candidate whose record
on international affairs cannot be
attacked by the Democrats
The plain implication of that
argument is that Gov. Dewey and
Senator Taft are not as acceptable
as Senator Vandenberg on matters
OF foreign policy and that, unless
Senator Vandenberg is chosen,
foreign policy will become an issue
and the pressure to name Gen.
Eisenhower will be intense.
There is also the possibility that
Henry Wallace might withdraw.
Arthur Krock, the able chief of the
Washington bureau of the New
York Times, In a speech this week
in Chicago predicted that Mr.. Wal
lace might at the last minute pull
out of the race and throw his
strength to the Democratic nomi-
nee provided Mr.. Truman with
draws.
Wallace Denies Such Plan.
Henry Wallace denies that he
has any such plan in mind. At the
moment this is probably so. What
the situation might be after the
Republican National Convention
if the Republicans have nominated
Senator Taft or Speaker Martin,
for example, is something else
again. The labor union influence
might be strong enough to induce Mr..
Wallace's withdrawal, since a three
party contest, according to all polls,
indicates a Republican victory no
matter who the candidate is.
The Republican convention must
therefore take into account all the
possible consequences Of its decision.
The Democrats, meeting two weeks
later, can make a drive to persuade
President Truman to withdraw and
ask Gen. Eisenhower to run. Such
= request might cause the General
to modify all previous declarations.
II the Republicans, on the other
hand, have named Senator Vanden-
berg, the argument to put Gen.
Eisenhower in the race will cer-
tainly lack conviction, and it is
more than likely that under such
circumstances the General would
adhere to his previous announce
ments.
Likewise, it is possible that Presi-
dent Truman would feel that, with
foreign policy no longer an issue,
he could make the campaign wholly
on domestic issues against Senator
Vandenberg. The Michigan Sena-
tor would probably take position
somewhat right of center and Mr..
Truman would go even further to-
ward the left Of center than he
has before.
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