Evening star., 1951-04-22
1LargeG .0.P. Groups
Not Likely 70 Favor
Choosing Macarthur
By Gould Lincoln

Many Republicans here believe
Gen. Macarthur has effectively
taken himself out Of the presi-
Dental race Of 1852. They cite
three expressions Of the general:
!. His assertion when he arrived
IN San Francisco from the Far
East that he was not going into
politics and that he would not run
for Office.
2. His statement In his address
to Congress that the issue which
he had raised over policy In the
Far East should be handled IN
non-partisan fashion.
8. His famous remark in the
same address that he would fade
out" having completed lis career
as q soldier.
Gen. Macarthur Is q Republican.
In 1948 his friends In this country
sought to bring about his noinina.
tion for President. but made little
headway.
The tremendous acclaim he has
received. however, since his recent
return to this country, has set
tongues wagging.
It has been recalled that not
all old soldiers have faded out Of
the national picture. Gen. William
Henry Harrison, for example, was
elected President in 1840--a WhigI
candidate against President Van
Buren,, Democrat. MIR. Harrisonl
was 68 years old when he becameI
President. A second was Andrew
jackson. Democrat, who was first
elected President In 1928 at 81
years Of age. and reelected when
he was 65. serving until he was 10.
A third was Zachary Taylor. hero
of the Mexican War, who was
elected President when he was GA.
Gen. Macarthur is II years old,
and would be on his way to 73l
when he took office.
Two great groups in the Repub-
lican party are already backing
candidates for the presidential
nomination-one for Senator Taft
of Ohio and the other for Gen.
Eisenhower. Neither group would
look with favor on the substitution
of Gen. Macarthur. for their can
didate. Both would probably do
all they could to prevent q stam-
pede Of the national convention
next year for Gen. Macarthur.
Civilian Authority Stressed.
In some Republican quarters It |
Is claimed that the Macarthur IN
cident, while it has brought great |
criticism Of President Truman for
the manner In which he dismissed
the general, has emphasized the
fact that the civil authority must
always be above the military
and that would tend to lessen the
chances Of Gen. Eisenhower. for
the nomination. Those expressing
this view are generally favorable
to nomination for Senator Taft
Also they contend that, since tgid
Republicans have embraced Gen.
Macarthur and his, policies, plAc-
ing emphasis on tfekdefense Of the
Far East against Communist az
gression. it may lessen their love
for Gen. Eisenhower. who is COM
mander in chief Of Allied forces
In Europe.
The supporters of Eisenhower-
for-President. however. disagrHe
entirely with these arguments.
They contend that, since Gen.
Macarthur has taken himself out
of the political picture, there is
no reason whatever why another
great and beloved military figure,
"Ike" Eisenhower. should mott
make q strong appeal to Ameri-
cans as a candidate for President.
One Republican interviewed
hazarded the thought that II the
COP. should nominate Gen. Mac
Arthur for President, the Demo-
Gratis Immediately would attempt
to nominate Gen. Eisenhower as
many Of them have already wished
to do.
When the Republican National
Committee meets in Tulsa, Okla.
May II and IL, to pick a city inI
which to hold its nominatingl
convention next year. and the date
for the convention, it is expected
that potential candidates. win bel
discussed in a big way. Many
party leaders from the West and
the Middle West win attend the
meeting Of the National commit
tee.
Speakers Announced.
The speakers who will address
the meetings in Tulsa, whose
names were announced yesterday
by the National committee, are
from the West and Middle West
too. They are Senator Millikin
of Colorado, chairman Of the Re-
publican Conference Of the Sem
ate, strong friend Of Senator
Taft: Representative Frances Boil
ton Of Ohio, Representative
Charles Haueck of Indiana, Gov.
Pyle Of Arizona. Gov. ThortonI