Evening star., 1951-11-03
The Political Mill
Eisenhower Comment
On Politics Is Unlikely
Boekers May Press General
For Nomination Statement
By Gould Lincoln

For Nomination Statement
By Gould Lincoln
Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower has de-
clined to talk politics in Europe-and
he will continue to decline to talk poll
tics on his brief visit to Washington, in
the opinion Of some Of those who are
backing him for presidential nomina-
tion. In Washington. as in Europe, he
still remains the supreme commander
OF the NATO forces. on active military
duty.
There are two possibilities, however,
which might bring some comment from
the general. The first is that his sup
porters for the nomination might press
him SO hard for declaration he would
make a statement taking himself COM
pletely out of the political picture. The
second is that President Truman might
ask Gen. Eisenhower his intentions"
This seems unlikely, unless the Presi-
dent wishes to put the general on the
spot. It would be difficult for Gen.
Eisenhower to say anything beyond that
he is not candidate-which is a very
different thing from saying he would
refuse presidential nomination if one
OF the major political parties should
offer him one.
Rumors Still Persist.
Mr.. Truman again and again has ex-
pressed his friendship and esteem for
Gen. Eisenhower. He has intimated there
is no reason why. if Gen. Eisenhower
wished or believed it his duty, the gen.
eral should not become a candidate for
the presidency. More recently he has
spoken of Gen. Eisenhower as a Repub-
lican, but the rumor still persists the
President would like to have the general
nominated by the Democrats. If Mr..
truman should make such a proposition
to Gen. Eisenhower, the general could.
II ne desired. settle the matter by stating
ne is Republican. While he was acting
as. president of Columbia University,
Gen. Eisenhower delivered a number of
speeches in which he clearly broke with
the Fair Deal program.
ShouId President Truman breach the
subject. and ask Eisenhower's political
plans-f any-the general would be in
posltlon to ask Mr.. Truman's own plans
for 1852. 1t has been suggested the
President might ask Gen. Eisenhower if
ne desired to be relieved of his present
command so that he could enter the
campaign for the Republican nomina-
ton. But against this is the fact that
the general is doing an extremely i'm
portant job today in Europe, certainly
one which he would desire to continue
until the foundation of the Allied de-
lenses against possible Communist at
tack in Europe is we'll on the way to
completion.
Gen. Eisenhower, up to this time, has
made only the statement he is not
candidate for political Office. The i'm
portant thing is that he has not said an
irrevocable mo" to the possible-and
perhaps probahle-nomination by the
Republican Party. He has, on the con-
trary made 1t clear he will respond to
any paramount call of duty" There are
very large number of Republicans who
would like to have the general for their
presidential nominee. They may have
to content themselves with this state
ment and make their drive for his nomi-
nation while Gen. Eisenhwoer remains
silent.
Organization Move Reported.
1t has been reported that a national
E!senhower-for- President headquarters
is soon to be opened here, with leading
Republicans in charge. If and when this
mas been set up and the drive is
on, it will be possible to make an esti-
mate OF the strength of the pro-
Eisenhower sentiment. Polls have been
made of delegates to the last Repub-
lican National Convention. some of them
showing Senator Taft of Ohio in the
lead. An important fact, however, is
that very large number of delegates
have not committed themselves. Fur
ther, there have been claims that Sem
ator Taft is corraling large numbers of
delegates to the 1852 national conven-
ton. In reply it may be said that not
a single delegate has been named to
that convention, and none will be for
some months to come.
The probabilities are that Gen. Eisen.
hover. on his two-day visit to Wash.
lngton, will give President Truman as
complete picture as possible of the
progress which has been made toward
building up the NATO forces, the i'm
mediate needs for continuing that
build-up, and the prospects of assist
ance from the member countries of the
North Atlantic Security Treaty. Such
information is needed by the President
to formulate his recommendation to
Congress in January. And the probable
tiles are his discussions with the Pres
ident will be confined to these reports
and recommendations.