PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION

Evening Star, Issue 23725, 5 November 1940, Page 8

PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION

CONCLUSION OF CAMPAIGN CLOSE FINISH EXPECTED JPreM Association— By Telegraph—Copyright WASHINGTON, November 4. Bpth sides are prepared for an intensive election eve effort to clinch a campaign in which 60,000,000 people have the right to vote, including 25,000,000 women. Mr John Henry Lewis issued an eleventh-hour appeal to Labour to support Mr ‘Wendell Willkie and characterised President Roosevelt as “an erratic warmpngering politician.” Mr William Green, leader of the 'American Federation of Labour, urged members to vote as they honestly and sincerely thought would be best in the interests of the masses of the nation. President Roosevelt returned vO Washington and conferred immediately with Messrs Cordell Hull and Sumner Welles. The conference is being linked with reports of naval activity ii. the Carribean Sea.* It is reported that three destroyers sailed yesterday from Balboa, and* it is officially announced that eight destroyers and five patrol planes left Key West to. participate in exercises in the Guantamamo-San Juan area.' It is also reported from San Juan that five other destroyers left during the week. All naval movements in this region are being linked with Martinique, concerning which there is no official comment. An eleventh-hour pre-election survey by the magazine ‘ Fortune ’ shows 55.2 per cent, of the nation’s popular vote favours President Roosevelt. < The New York ‘ Daily News,’ on the basis of a fortnight’s poll, predicted that President Roosevelt would carry the important New York State by a small plurality, virtually “ a photo fiaish.”

ECONOMIC TALKS

JAPAN AND DUTCH INDIES OFFICIAL STATEMENT BATAVIA, November 4. (Received November 5, at 12.15 p.ra.) The Government has issued a statement to the People’s Council on the Japan-Dutch Indies economic talks: “ We do not consider it necessary to empthsise that the .so-called ‘new order ’ would be wholly and absolutely refuted if it implied another Power's participation in our affairs, nor does the Netherlands Government place any value on the development or promotion of a world economy which would enclose the Dutch Indies in the so-called Asiatic bloc. It is vitally important to maintain the full interior sovereignty of the Dutch Indies, but good economic relations with all parts of the world, insofar as war conditions have not interrupted them, will be continued as freely as possible and without discrimination. The development of trade with our Asiatic neighbours remains an important object in our ecnomic policy, but no preferential status will be allowed to hamper true co-operation.” The statement summarises the JapanDutch Indies trade relations under the agreement 1 of 1937, and explains, “ Although an easier solution was possible, the Netherlands Government had no major objection to Japan’s wish to discuaa mutual problems in economic talks between the delegates of both countries who were explicitly restricted to discussions in the economic sphere. Political relations were not discussed.” The statement quotes the Japanese delegation’s assertion that the Tripartite Pact had not altered the relations between Japan and the Asiatic part of the Netherlands Kingdom. It adds: ‘ ‘ Close attention was given to the possibility of direct and indirect advantages accruing to our enemy, regarding which, while closely watching the position, the Government considers further developments may be awaited. The talks will be continued.”

FAMOUS HUMORIST

INTERNED IN GERMANY LONDON, November 4. (Received November 5, at 12.30 p.m.) News of Mr P. G. Wodehouse, who is interned in Germany, is contained in a letter received by a Hull man from his son, who is also a prisoner. The latter describes a camp at Oslag, and says Mr Wodehouse is there. N.Z. AIR FORCE CASUALTIES [Per United Press Association.] WELLINGTON, November 5. The following Royal New Zealand Air Force casualties were officially announced last night:— Sergeant Douglas Owen Stanley, died in hospital on October 27, from injuries received in a flying accident. His mother is Mrs W. 0. Stanley, of Matamata. Sergeant Robert Older, killed in aircraft accident. His mother is Mrs R. Johnson Rroon, of Bidford on Avon, Warwickshire.