Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1948-01-23
Explains Failure
To Express Flat
Refusal Earlier
By Gould Lincoln

zen. OWlSIlL -. ElScIlllOWcA NC
clared today that II am not
available for and could not
accept nomination to high po-
litical office"
This latest of a series of state
aents by the retiring Army Chief
of Staff, beginning months ago,
finally says he could not accept"
presidential nomination If offered
him by the Republican or any other
political party.
Gen. Eisenhower added that his
decision is definite and positive. y
In earlier statements the general
had declared he was not interested
In politics and that he was not a
candidate for any Office. He failed
in those statements, however, to
close the door to draft. He has
now indicated clearly he would not
accept a Observation-Disclosures he
has used the term could not" He
has declared he is not available and
added that, in his opinion, profess
sional soldiers should not seek high
political office.
Gen. Eisenhower statement, con-
tanned in a letter addressed to
Leonard v. Finder, publisher of the
Manchester IN. h Union Leader,
which is backing Eisenhower-for-
President delegates in New Hamp-
shire, might be construed, in this
last respect, as having bearing on
the proposals in Wisconsin, Illinois
and other States to place Gen.
Douglas Macarthur in the race for
the Republican presidential nomi-
nation.
May Affect Macarthur.
A slate of delegates to support
Macarthur, already has been selected
by his followers in Wisconsin. I'm
less Gen. Macarthur, like Gen.
Eisenhower, comes forward with a
statement that he will not accept
a nomination, Gen. Macarthur is
expected to pick up at least one
third of the delegates which will
represent Wisconsin in the Republic
can National Convention next June.
Gen. Eisenhower's statement may
therefore, help to bring a definite
announcement from Gen. Mac
Arthur, who up to the present, has
merely declined to comment on the
presidential race.
In New York today, Mr.. Finder
commented:
II feel that his decision, honestly
motivated as it might have been, vas
not in the best service of the Ma
ton" He added that he regretted
the generals decision more than
can say"
The Eisenhower announcement Is
expected to increase activity on the
part of followers of the four avoweo
candidates now in the Republican
f1eld-Gov. Dewey of New York
Senator Taft of Ohio, former Gov
Stassen of Minnesota and Gov
Warren of California.
Brings Mixed Reaction.
leaders in these camps privately
have recognized Gen. Eisenhower as
real threat who might come
through in a deadlocked convention
as Wendell Willkie did in 1910.
Gen. Eisenhower announcement
brought mixed reaction among Cap
itol Hill Republicans.
Senator Tobey, Republican, OF
New Hampshire, a director of the
draft Eisenhower league, noted that
Gen. Eisenhower had said he could
not accept a political nomination
but had not said he would" not
do SO.
Senator Tobey, who sponsored the
Eisenhower for President delegate
slate in New Hampshire, would not
comment on the effect of the an
nouncement of a draft-Eisenhower
move here.
Mr.. Stassen was at the Capitol
but would not comment immediate
ly. Senator Thye, Republican, OF
Minnesota, one of his supporters
told reporter he had felt all along
that the general would not run.
II think this definitely means
that he is out of the picture Sen
ator Thye said. 49,.
Tydings Sees Truman Election.
Senator Mccarthy, Republican, OF
Wisconsin, a Stassen supporter,
said: That's grand" He inter-
preted the statement as eliminat-
ing Gen. Eisenhower.
Senator Tydings, Democrat, OF
Maryland, who has been mentioned
as possible running mate with
President Truman on the Democratic
ticket, said Gen. Eisenhower's with
drawal, in the emphaic fashion he
has used, foretells the election next
November of President Truman
Representative Clarence Brown
Republican, of Ohio, Senator Taft's
campaign manager, said Gen. Eisen-
hower's statement makes the prob
ability of Senatc- Taft's nomination
more certain
Senator Green, Democrat, Of
Rhode Island said that the generals
statement clarifies the situation ano
helps President Truman"
Senator Flanders, Republican, Of
Vermont said he regards Gen. Eisen.
hower's decision as final.
The Army, in releasing the text Of
Gen. Eisenhower's letter to Mr.
Finder, stated that Gen. Eisen-
hover hopes through this means tt
inform every interested person OF
group that he is not in politics ano
that he would refuse nomination
even II offered"
The Eisenhower statement be.
= came essential when a slate of dele.
gates in New Hampshire was actual.
ly filed, pledged to him. At thai
time, Maj. Gen., Floyd L. Parks
chief Of Army public information
announced on behalf of Gen. Essen.
hover that the general would make
no statement about the New Hamp.
shire primary-but that he wa.
not interested in politics. This left
Q clear implication that Gen. Eisen.
hover might be subject to a draft,
and it was so interpreted.
Immediately thereafter, Essen.
(see EISENHOWER, Page A-5D
A.