AMERICA’S PRESIDENT.

Evening Star, Issue 20989, 31 December 1931, Page 8

AMERICA’S PRESIDENT.

There is a flutter in tbo political dovecots in tho United States. This burst of activity is occasioned by the fact that tho Presidential election falls duo in November next, and already pushing aspirants for tho high office have had their names projected into tho news. It is not easy to estimate tho hold that Mr Herbert Hoover has on the American people. He has held office in an unfortunate time, when his country’s prosperity has been dashed on tho rocks of the world-wide depression. Before the election, largely because of his post-war relief activities, ho was in high favour, but the national financial and - industrial troubles, combined with a somewhat cold and aloof personality, have been a deterrent to widespread popularity. It seems to bo generally accepted that he will again secure tho Republican nomination. Mr Calvin Coolidgc has intimated that ho will not be a candidate. In view of the importance of harmony and co-operation at present, it would be, he declared, “a distinct disservice to promote a factional conflict against a President in office.” Though Mr Coolidgc lias not said so—he has tho gift of silence in a remarkable degree—it is taken for granted that his influence will bo thrown on the side of Mr Hoover, iho

indications arc that it will bo a hard fight for tho Republican nominee this year, whether ho bo Mr Hoover or someone else. Tho Democrats have had some marked successes since tho last Presidential election, and there is an insurgent element in tho Republican Party that complicates tho position. According to a cablo message from Washington it is opposed to the renominatiou of Mr Hoover, and is looking for a candidate to replace him. Three names mentioned aro those of Senators Borah, Pinchot, and Johnson, all men of the thrusting, ambitions typo, but lacking those qualities of gravity, sincerity, and responsibility that have in tho main guided tho American people in tho choice of a President. In the Democratic camp the swing to Mr Franklin D. Roosevelt (Governor of New York State) has gained such headway that most observers now consider his nomination as nearly certain as can bo .predicted so far in advance, though Mr Alfred E. Smith, tho Democratic candidate in 1928, has not yet followed Mr Coolidgo’s example in declaring for his rival. As things aro in the world to-day, tho coming Presidential election is not confined in interest to tho American people. Even though lie may be limited by party shackles and popular clamour, the world would like to see tho choice fall on a man possessed of tho “ international mind.”