Evening star., 1948-01-17

Sdi11Ol11 Lid
Main Obstacle to Dewey.
Although Gen. Eisenhower is not
a declared candidate and repeatedly
has disclaimed interest in politics,
the Dewey forces regard him as po-
tentially the main obstacle in the
New Yorker's third successive drive
for the Republican nomination.
Gen. Macarthur also is not de-
clared candidate but friends have
pushed his name forward.
Both New Hampshire and Wis
consin are likely to be rugged bat
tlegrounds. New Hampshire's senior
Senator, Republican Charles Tobey,
has come out for the retiring Army
Chief of Staff. Mr.. Stassen, too, has
known strength in the granite State,
whose Governor, Charles Dale, is a
close friend of Gov. Dewey. .
The States delegate votes were
split initially in 1914, when Dewey
won the nomination by acclamation,
and in 1910, when the late Wendell
L. Willkie blitzed the convention
and left Gov. Dewey and Senator
Taft in the ruck.
Gov. Dewey scored overwhelming
victories in the Wisconsin primaries
in 1910 and 1914, but supporters of
Gen. Macarthur and Mr.. Stassen
don't concede him anything there
this year.
Dewey forces feel that if he can
whip Gen. Eisenhower and Mr.. Stas-
sen in New Hampshire and Gen.
Macarthur and Mr.. Stassen in Wis
consin he will be on the high road
to victory at Philadelphia.
$50 Delegates Claimed.
They claim the New York Cover
nor now has approximately $50 of
the SAT delegate votes needed for
the nomination.
Efforts have been under way to
get all of the aspirants' in the Ne
braska primary, April 13, including
Senator Taft, Gov. Warren and
possibly Senator Vandenberg of
Michigan, who has denied repeatedly
that he is candidate.
Senator Taft, who welcomed Gov.
Dewey's open entry into the race,
told a reporter that he may let his
own name stay on the Nebraska
ballot. He said it probably would
be necessary to resort to court action
to get it off.
Senator Taft said he thinks Gov.
Dewey's announcement "is to be
commended" adding:
THE more candidates whose
names are before the convention,
the better it is for the party"
Taft Not In Oregon Fight.
Senator Taft indicated, however,
that he does not plan to enter the
Oregon primary. He has said he
doesn't want to go into any State
where he can't campaign personally,
adding that his senatorial duties
preclude extensive campaigning.
Senator Knowland, Republican of
California, said it is his understand
ing that Gov. Warren has asked his
friends not to put his name on the
Oregon ballot.
But Senator Thye of Minnesota
indicated that Mr.. Stassen's name
probably will be there, although he
said the final decision rests with
the candidate himself.
Senator Thye praised Gov. Dewey
as "a very able man." but said he
remains convinced that Mr.. Stassen
has the outstanding ability to serve
these great United States as Presi-
dent" and will do his utmost to help
the former Governor win the nomi-
nation.
Senator Ball, Republican, of Min
nesota, originally appointed to the
Senate in 1910 by Mr.. Stassen-
who was then Minnesota's Governor
said last night he considers Mr..
Stassen about the best qualified
candidate" for the nomination.
Political relations between the
two have cooled recently as a result
of disagreement on domestic and
foreign policy.
But Senator Bail, who will run for
the Senate again this year, told a
radio audience Mr.. Stassen will get
his support whether he supports
me or not" ...