Evening star., 1952-04-10
Days of Political Decision

Senator Taft's impressive Republican pri-
mary victory in Illinois was his third triumph
in nine days. 1t followed his anticipated cap
ture of a majority of the Wisconsin convention
delegation on April and what was probably
more significant success in three-way popu-
larity contest in Nebraska on the same date.
In both the Wisconsin and Illinois races,
the Ohioan's name was on the primary ballot.
General Eisenhower, his principal preconvention
opponent, did not have his name on either
States ballot In Nebraska, neither was on the
ballot, but heavy write-in vote gave the Sem
ator rather substantial margin over General
Eisenhower and both ran ahead of Harold
StaSsen, whose name was on the voting ticket.
Somewhat belatedly and perhaps with INSULT
cient organization, the Eisenhower forces under
took Write-in campaign for the general in
Illinois. BY this means, the general polled more
than 100000 votes, but the Taft margin was
approximately seven to one.
The Taft victories, particularly in Wisconsin
and Illinois, had been accurately forecast They
did not change materially the estimates of dele
gate strength which the Ohioan has been count
ing on for long time. Coupled with the Ne
braSka showing, however, they do demonstrate
that the Senator is strong candidate that his
vigorous campaigning is not damaging that
strength and may indeed have added to it in
Nebraska, and that the absentee strategy of
General Eisenhower does not assure the SHAPE
commander of eventual convention victory For,
while the generals earlier successes in New
Hampshire and Minnesota were impressive, the
Illinois returns did not reflect the great spon-
taneous demand for his candidacy that his i'm
mediate hackers had sought.
Another important primary is scheduled
next Tuesday, in New jersey Both Senator
Taft and General Eisenhower are on the Re-
publican ballot, but the Senator has cancelled
earlier plans to make personal campaign in
the State and the general will still be in
Europe. In sense it will be a test in "ab-
senteeism," but it falls short of being the ideal
situation for the Republican voters.
Following the New Hampshire and Mime
sofa tests, General Eisenhower announced that
the public support then accorded him was fore
ing him to re-examine his personal position and
his past decision with regard to returning to the
United States for formal entry into the political
race. Since then Senator Lodge of MaSsachu-
setts, one of those managing the Eisenhower
drive, has conferred with the general in Europe.
The generals request for relief from his COM
mand, preparatory to returning here to enter
the campaign, is reported already in Washington.
1t is time that General Eisenhower should
take this STEP Regardless of the Midwest re-
suits there has been ample manifestation of a
strong public feeling that the general should
be the Republican nominee for the presidency.
He has earned the honor of public approval,
but to earn the further honor Of heading the
presidential ticket of one of the two major
parties he owes it to that party and to the
American people to return to this country and
to make clear his exact position and point of
view on the vital issues of the campaign.
For the issues in this campaign are vital
ones, both on the domestic front and in the field
of foreign affairs. The announced intention of
President Truman not to stand for reelection
has been followed, perhaps coincidentally, by
crisis of major dimensions in the steel con-
troversy. There is an appearance of uncertainty
in the national leadership and in seeking to
rebuild this leadership the people must know
to whom they can turn and on what principles
their choice stands.