Evening star., 1948-03-11
The Political Mil
Wisconsin Vote to Test
MocArthur's S Popularity
General Must Make Showing There
To Be Prime G. O. p. Candidate
By Gould Lincoln

By Gould Lincoln
The second round of the preconvention free
for-all for the Republican presidential nomina-
ton takes place in less than four weeks time,
when the voters go to the polls in Wiscon-
sins primary. Because of the dramatic an
nouncement that Gen. Douglas Macarthur will
accept presidential nomination if it is ten
dered him. this particular primary has assumed
tremendous political Importance. Wisconsin
claims Gen. Macarthur as distinguished son.
Further, he is entered in the primary with
full slate OF delegate candidates. And still fur
ther, Gen. Macarthur will be running against
the leading candidate for the nomination. Gov
Dewey OF New York, and against Harold E.
Stassen. Gov. Dewey has won the first round
taking New Hampshire delegates to 2 for
Stassen. who opposed him in that primary
II the Macarthur candidacy is to get any,
where, he must make good showing in Wis
consin. If he fails there, he will become at
best candidate to whom the delegates in
the Republican National Convention may turn
after Gov. Dewey, Senator Taft and Mr.
Stassen have wasted their sweetness on the
convention air In other words, there must be
some demonstration that Gen. Macarthur has
wide popular support if he is to become prime
candidate for the nomination, and Wisconsin
offers the most immediate test.
Record Appeals to Many
The Macarthur candidacy is too young to
estimate its strength today. Up until the gen.
eral made his statement this week, there had
been grave doubts in many minds that he would
become candidate even a receptive candidate,
despite the fact that delegate slate for him
had been entered in the Wisconsin primary. It
was becoming increasingly clear, however that
Gen. Macarthur would have to tell the voters
OF Wisconsin, and also his friends there, wheth-
er he would take a nomination, and whether
he would be candidate. He did so in COM
pletely frank and definite statement-the only
one he has made on the subject. If the country
wants him. he is willing to serve. It's totally
MacArthuresque. He has been serving the
country for years-brillantly and more ef-
fectively and courageously He has been called
the greatest administrator and the greatest
military genius of the age.
Gen. Macarthur and his record have great
appeal to Americans he has captured the i'm
agination of millions of them with his cam
paign to regain the Philippines from the Japs
and more recently with the job he has done as
supreme commander in Japan 1t Is, however
the task of his friends to capitalize this
appeal and translate this tremendous admira-
uele.
gates to the national convention.
Plans have been laid for q great Mac
Arthur -for-Presdent" advertising drive 1t is
already going into active operation in Wiscon-
sin. The State will be plastered with Macarthur
posters; ample newspaper and radio facilities
will be provided for the campaign.
May All Be Needed.
1t may all be needed. For Gov. Dewey has
for years been as strong as horse-radish in
Wisconsin. He had II out of the "a delegates
elected in the primary there in 1914, although
he had declared himself not candidate and
urged the delegates pledged to him to withdraw.
Seven of them did, but seventeen stayed on
the ballot and were elected. No candidate
pledged to Gen. Macarthur, to Mr.. Stassen
or to the late Wendell L. Willkie won over
a Dewey deegate-which is something to
remember in estimating the probable outcome
on April 6.
The only other primary in which Gen. Mac
Arthur has been entered is that in Nebraska,
where all the principal candidates. announced
and unannounced, have been entered. This
takes place April 13. There, too, the general
will have an opportunity to demonstrate his
strength, not only against Gov Dewey and Mr.
Stassen but against Senator Taft Gov. Warren
and Senator Vandenberg.
1t was planned at one time to enter Gen.
MacArthurs name in the Illinois presidential
preference primary which is set for April 13, too
No one, however, entered that primary.
Macarthur supporter, according to the story
was on hand to file the generals petition to
have his name 60 on the ballot, the last filing
day. Also Stassen supporter was ready to
file Had either filed, then the other would have
done Neither did-and that was that.
A shrewd observer has remarked that most
anything may happen in Wisconsin, month
from now. One thing seems reasonably sure
the result there may eliminate one or even
two candidates.
Ouoe+ione ond Aneware