U.S.A PRESIDENCY

Greymouth Evening Star, 29 June 1940, Page 7

U.S.A PRESIDENCY

REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE

MR. WILLKIE CHOSEN [by CABLE —PBESS ASSN. —COPYBIGHT.] ' PHILADELPHIA, June 27. At the Republican National Convention to-day, Mr. Wendell L. Willkie was nominated as the party’s candidate for the forthcoming Presidential election.

Mr. Willkie was nominated in the fourth ballot which resulted: Willkie ,306, Taft 254, Dewey 250. After the fifth ballot Mr. Dewey announced that he was releasing delegates from their pledge to him, leaving Mr. Willkie and Senator Taft in a straight-out contest. Mr. Willkie’s nomination was declared unanimous, after the official roll-call gave him 990 of the 1000 votes.

It is conceivable that the selection of Mr. Willkie will alter the Democratic Party’s strategy, which was apparently based on the expectation of nominating Mr. Roosevelt. It might even influence Mr. Roosevelt’s decision whether to run, since Mr. Willkie favours almost an identical foreign policy, although -he mildly •criticised Mr. Roosevelt’s “provocative” utterances and also the “inadequate” defence preparations. OUTLINE OF POLICY

Wendell L. Willkie is president of ■.the Commonwealth and Southern Corporation, a 1,000,000,000 dollar electrical power concern, which has been the object of much of Mr. Roosevelt’s fight against the public utilities (writes the New York correspondent of the “Sydney Morning Herald”). A six-year contest with the New Deal over the Tennessee ■Valley authority, the great governmental hydro-electrical project of the south, has made Willkie a national -figure. He is distinguished by the width and diversity of his intellectual interests, his consummate political sense, and his “reasonableness.” He has been dubbed “New Deal En■emy No. 1,” but his public pronouncements are careful evaluations of that economic and social programme and frequent commendation of its achievements. He has insisted that he opposes the dictatorial concentration of control in Government. His most revealing pronouncements on foreign policy have been praise of Roosevelt’s expressions of sympathy for the Allies. He will appeal strongly to the great business interests of the country, which are the directive force in the Republican Party still, and would, by reason of personal qualities, prove an attractive candidate.

VICE-PRESIDENT

(Recd. June 29, Noon) PHILADELPHIA, June 28

The Republicans nominated Mr. McNary as vice-president on the first ballot. Mr. Willkie, in a brief speech, pledged himself to a crusade in defence of American principles. “Democracy is facing the most crucial test in history. We Republicans and Americans must dedicate, ourselves to United States principles, for here is the last foothold of freedom throughout the world. As your nominee, I expect to conduct an aggressive fighting campaign, bring unity in America to farmer, labour and all classes, m order to bring about the preservation of freedom.” The Convention then adjourned.

MR ROOSEVELT’S STATEMENT.

FLEET AND ARMY.

(Recd. June 29, 9.45 a.m.) WASHINGTON, June 28.

Mr Roosevelt, at the Press conference, declined to answer questions regarding the Fleet’s whereabouts. He admitted that he might not, at present, know the exact position, but implied that the Fleet operations were under the guidance of White House. He added that ship control was applicable to the Normandie and Queen Elizabeth, but he did not indicate whether the power would be used. He also told the Press conference that a new long range Army expansion programme was being drafted with a view to giving manufacturers orders in advance of appropriations. He added it was over early to discuss figures, but sources outside the White 1 House believed the ultimate expenditure would possibly be between five to seven thousand million dollars. Simultaneously, Mr Roosevelt announced the appointment of Mr Donald, M. Nelson, a well-known business man, as co-ordinator of all Government preparedness campaign purchasing. . Mr Roosevelt added that assistants were determining whether it would not be wise to make long term commitments for armaments and buildings permitting manufacturers to sign long term contracts, assuring the recovery of at least part of the expenditure on plant expansion.