Evening star., 1948-01-06
The Political Mil E s''''
Macarthur FuiIs to Close
Door on Nomination Bid

Door on Nomination Bid
Wisconsin Backers Say General 10
Receptive to Candidacy
By Gould Lincoln
Gen. Douglas Macarthur. in a message Of
congratulation on the opening Of Wisconsin 3
centennial celebration, failed to close the door
on possible Republican presidential nomi-
nation. His Wisconsin supporters go much
further In the Interpretation OF the language
used by Gen. Macarthur. They say fatty he
has indicated he Is receptive candidate for
the presidential nomination.
Gen. MacArthur's statement must be con.
sidered in the hight Of the occasion which
brought 1t forth. He was appointed to West
Point from Wisconsin, the home State OF his
grandfather and his father. He maintains
voting residence there. He was undoubtedly,
requested to send a message-as a most dis
tinguished son Of the State.
After expressing his satisfaction In the fact
that his own life had been deeply rooted in
Wisconsin's past, Gen. Macarthur said he took
great pride in the knowledge that my oppor-
tunity for service to country found It's origin
In Wisconsin's selection and appointment as
did my fathers and grandfather's before me.
For In the labyrinth of destinys pattern. there
can be no greater satisfaction than such as
comes from the confidence reflected in the
selection by ones neighbors for public service
no more challenging responsibility than lies
in the fulfllment Of & cir trust"
Needs Ih.s rpretation.
Whether Gen. MacAftSsur was referring TO
some future public service-as his supporters
now assert-or was commenting upon the
satisfaction he felt in having done outstanding
and patriotic service in two world wars, and
as supreme commander for the allied powers
in Japan remains for Interpretation by Gen.
Macarthur himself.
The fact that a Macarthur for President
drive has already been launched in Wiscon-
sin-and that it Is no secret to Macarthur
himself-seems to give credence to the claim
Of Wisconsins secretary of State Fred r,
Zimmerman, that Gen. Macarthur has shown
himself receptive to the presidential non1ina-
tion. Nevertheless in 1914 similar boom
for Macarthur for President was undertaken by
many of the same persons who are active today
in his support. Gen. Macarthur himself put
his foot down and said he would not run. II do
not covet 1t nor would I accept it," he finally
said OF the presidential nomination. In an
earlier statement that he was not a candidate,
Gen. Macarthur had said he was soldier,
expected to remain a soldier, and had no
political ambitions after he should retire.
1t is possible that Gen. Macarthur now has
changed his mind. He is no longer high
officer on active duty at the front in war.
What he has now said in his message to Wis.,
consin will certainly not stop his friends from
going ahead with slate of pro-MacArthur
delegates in the April primary. Four years ago
Wisconsin elected three Macarthur delegates
in the Republican primary-even though he
said he was not candidate A little later, Gen.
Macarthur received 100000 votes in the Illinois
presidential preferential primary. 1t was after
that Gen. Macarthur said, Nor would
accept IT.
Three States In Race
The Wisconsin primary, one of the earliest
to be held this year, will have in the race Mac
Arthur, Stassen and Dewey states of delegates.
1t was in the Wisconsin primary that Wendell
L. Willkie was badly defeated in l944-he won
no delegates there at all-and Mr. Willkie with
drew from the race thereafter. In that pri-
mary Gov. Dewey had 18 of the delegates, Mac
Arthur three and Stassen three.
The result in Wisconsin undoubtedly will
have its effect on presidential prospects. There
has been gossip that the Macarthur delegates
will be used to discredt both Dewey and Stas-
sen-and so to aid the cause Of Senator Taft
OF Ohio, who has the backing Of Col. Robert
Mccormick, publisher of the Chicago Tribune.
Mr. Mccormick is for Gen. Macarthur first.
but wants Senator Taft If he cannot have
Gen. Macarthur.
If Gen. Macarthur lets his name stay In the
race for the presidential nomination, he may
put decided damper on whatever aspirations
Gen. Dwight D, Eisenhower may have for the
Republican presidential nomination. Gen Mac
Arthur, not only for his brilliant war record
but also for his administration of affairs in
Japan since the war, has won the admiration
of millions of Americans. If they have to
choose between two military men, the Repub-
ncans may have difficult time. Certainly q
Macarthur candidacy could be expected to
lower the chances of Gen. Eisenhower And if,
In the end, Gen. Macarthur should make an
other final statement saying he would not
accept a nomination, and leave the inference
that no regular Army man should be nomi-
mated it would be blow to Gen. Eisenhower.