FOR WHITE HOUSE.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 190, 13 August 1928, Page 7

FOR WHITE HOUSE.

U.S. PRESIDENCY. Smith Wields Two-Edged Sword. ATTACK FROM PULPIT. (Australian Press Assn.—United Service.) NEW YORK, August 12. Mr. Herbert C. Hoover, Secretary of Commerce, yesterday officially accepted the Republican nomination for the Presidency. He reiterated that he stood against the repeal of the prohibition amendment, or any modification of its enforcement which would constitute a nullification. Mr. Hoover did not. refer to the declaration of Mr. Al. Smith, the Democrat nominee for the liberalisation of the Volstead Enforcement Act. He said he stood for efficient enforcement of the laws enacted under the prohibition amendment. Whoever mightbe chosen as President would have under his solemn oath the duty of pursuing that course. For the relief of the farmer Mr. Hoover outlined a programme embracing tariff protection, increased and cheaper transportation supported by Federal financial aid and the building up of farmer-owned and controlled corporations to take care of crop surpluses. He also declared himself vigorously in favour of religious tolerance and attacked corruption in public offices. He advocated a foreign policy dedicated to peace and the fostering of disarmament, but with the retention in the meantime of an adequate navy for national defence. The election campaign is producing interesting features. In Missouri the Democrat nomination for Senator has gone to a "dry" advocate, Mr. Hay. This is a rebuff for the present Senator, Mr. Reed, a "wet" supporter. The nomination for the State governorship, however, went to a "wet" advocate, Mr. Wilson. Therefore prohibition will not be the deciding issue in Missouri. Many things so far have combined to assist Mr. Smith's candidature for the Presidency, without effort on his part. Tho irony of fate, or the stupidity of his opponents, has brought him a successsion of advantages. Recently several representatives of big business interests have declared for him, so that a Republican victory in November is far from certain. Smith Detractors. Attacks on Mr. Smith have largely comprised aspersions on his moral standing, but so far these have rather reacted against his opponents. Senator Owen, who for a long time has been a Democrat, has announced that he will support Mr. Hoover because "Mr. Smith's connection with the reprehensible Tammany organisation must make him persona non grata with all right-thinking people."

In a brief rejoinder Mr. Smith says he regrets the kiss of Mr. Owen's support. He says that in 1924 the latter begged him to obtain support for the Tammany delegates so that Mr. Owen i could secure the Democrat Presidential ; nomination. i A Republican editor, Mr. White, of 1 Kansas, alleged that Mr. Smith's conduct early in his legislative career was - such as to render him morally unfit to be President. Before Mr. Smith could act on Mr. White's invitation to refute the statements the latter recanted abjectly. On Sunday a clergyman, the Rev Rtraton, said in a sermon that Mr. Smith was the best friend of the forces of reaction, immorality, vice and crime in tlie land to-day. Mr. Smith immediately wrote to Mr. Straton a remarkable letter saying: "I do not feel I should charge you with making this statement for any political purpose, as it was made in a church devoted to the teachings of Christ. "One of those teachings is: 'Thou sJia't not bear false witness against thy neighbour.' " Mr. Smith asked permission to answer Mr. Straton's statements in the latter's own church, and will have the opportunity of doing so in September. The Republicans regret that Mr. Smith is having these chances to answer his critics, and iff so gaining attention throughout the country. He is an abie orator and handles the two-edged sword of politics well. Now he will score votes out of his detractors' faulty tactics. HOOVER OPENS. HIGH, DIGNIFIED BASIS. (Australian and N.Z. Press Association.) NEW YORK, August 12 Mr. Hoover's speech was delivered at tho Stanford University Stadium, California. It was the official opening of his Presidential campaign. There were (j5.000 people in the stadium and millions of invisible auditors listened by \\ ireless. Editorial comment from every section of the country is evenly divided on partisan lines, but praise is unanimous for the high and ' dignified basis on which Mr. Hoover dealt with the present issues of the campaign. There is, hewever, some question about Mr. Hoover •. attitude on prohibition. It is agieel that his support of the 18th Amendment is unequivocal, but even hi> closest friends admit he is not opposed to a liberalisation of the law. provided that it does not run counter to the rinstitution. His opponents say that while he does not favour the repeal of the 18th Amendment they would like to know whether he endorses it.