ROOSEVELT TRIUMPH

Greymouth Evening Star, 10 November 1944, Page 5

ROOSEVELT TRIUMPH

LEAD FURTHER

PRESIDENT’S COMMENT

NEW YORK, November 9. Mr. Roosevelt is now leading in 35 States, with 413 electoral votes. Mr. Dewey is leading in 13 States, with 118 electoral votes. The latest popular vote figures are: Roosevelt, 23,571,294, Dewey, 20,737,044. , Mr. Roosevelt is assured ot sate majorities in both Houses of Congress. The state of the parties in the House of Representatives at Present is: Democrats, 238; Republicans, 176; minor parties 2; undecided, 19. The Democrats have taken 29 seats from the Republicans.' The new Senate alignment will probably be: Democrats, 57; Republicans, 38; Progressive, 1. The Democrats have elected 14 State Governors and the Republicans 17. The final governors’ figures are expected to be: Democrats, 25; Republicans, 23 —compared with Repubucans 26 and Democrats 22 befoie the election. ... . , In a statement after his victory m the Presidential election, Mr. Roosevelt said: “For the first time in 80 years we have held a national election in the midst of a war. It is i eally important that after all the changes and vicissitudes of four score years we have again demonstrated to the woi Id that democracy is a living, vital force, that our faith in American institu tions is unshaken, and that conscience, not force, let us unite to win the wai and achieve lasting peace.” The Presidential secretary (Mi. Stephen Early) said that bundles ol telegrams and messages had arrived at Hyde Park, many of which contained the phrase, “Isolationism is dead. DEFEAT OF ISOLATIONISTS NEW YORK, Nov. 9. 'The New York “Post” says: “Leading isolationists in Congress have suffered resounding defeats. Senator Gerald Nye (North Dakota), an outstanding foreign policy obstructionist, Senator Danaher (Connecticut), and Senator Davis (Pennsylvania) were ousted. Mr. Hamilton Fish was defeated after 24 years in the House of Representatives. Mr. Melvin Maas (Minnesota), minority leader in the House of Representatives Naval Committee, Representative Day (Illinois), who congratulated Hitler upon his accession to power in 1933, and Representative Wolfenden, who wpnt duckshooting on the day the Urfited States declared war, have apparently been defeated. , ... “The new Congress will benefit from the absence of Senator Reynolds (North Carolina), Representative Martin Dies (Texas), and Representative Starnes (Alabama), all ol whom decided not to contest their seats. Several new Republican senators, including Governor Saltonstall, of Massachusetts, and Senator Wayne Morse (Oregon) have expressed liberal views on international co-opera-tion. At the same time, some isolationists have been re-elected, including Senators Taft, Tobey, Reed, Wiley and Millikan, and Representatives Hoffman and Rankin.” Nebraska voters decisively rejected a proposal to impose State-wide prohibition, by a majority of more than two to one. The “New York Times’s” Washington correspondent says that administration leaders’ confidence regarding the chances of Senate approval of the Dumbarton Oaks security organisation proposals has been greatly enhanced as the result of the defeat of eight leading Isolationist Senators, who in almost every case will be replaced by Senators favourable to the administrative plans. MR. DEWEY BLAMES WAR. NEW YORK, November 8. Speaking without a trace of bitterness or disappointment, Mr. Dewey, at a Press conference, expressed the opinion that, the war was solely responsible for his defeat. He added that he was pleased by the close popular vote. He declared that the campaign had united the Republican Party. Apparently referring to the defeat of the Congress isolationists, Mr. Dewey said: “We got rid of the worst elements in the party.’’ According to political experts oi both parties the simplest explanation of Mr Roosevelt’s victory was the relatively small but sufficient majority of voters unwilling to change the Commander-in-Chief in the midst of the war, particularly since it is believed'that Mr Roosevelt has more ability and determination to make an enduring peace through international co-operation than Mr Dewey. It is pointed out that Mr Dewey failed to convince the people that he was big enough for the job, which would probably have been the fate of any other Republican candidate.

LATEST RETURNS.

(Rec. 11.35 a.m.) NEW YORK, November 9

Mr. Roosevelt’s majority in the United States Presidential election is increasing steadily. In the election of Congress the Democrats have increased their majorities in both Houses. In the Representatives they have taken 29 seats from the Republicans. The Republicans have taken six seats formerly held by Democrats and two from other parties. The latest figures are: Popular vote: Roosevelt 23,629,951, Dewey 20,761,898.

Representatives: Democrats 239, Republicans 176, minor parties two, undecided 18.

Senate: Democrats 59, Republicans 36, Progressive one. The electoral votes are unchanged with Roosevelt 413, Dewey 118. The Associated Press says: Mr. Roosevelt’s victory was won by the smallest popular vote since 1918. The latest returns total 44,391,849. giving Mr. Roosevelt a lead of 2,868..053. Four years ago Mr. Roosevelt won by 4,958,711 over Mr. Willkie in a popular vote of 49,815,312, by over 10,000,000 from Landon in 1936, and by over 7,000,000 from Hoover in 1932.

Eight women have been elected the House, including a Democrat, Mrs. Helen Gagagan Douglas, from Hollywood, wife of the film actor, Melvyn Douglas.

RECEPTION ABROAD.

NEW YORK, November 8.

Foreign comment, both enemy and Allied, agrees that the re-election of Mr. Roosevelt is a victory for the American internationalists. The German Foreign Office commented: “The results show a tendency to depart from isolationist principles and a stronger tendency to intervention in European affairs. We shall have to take this info future consideration.” Tokio broadcasts declared .that it was immaterial to the Japanese which candidate won, and expressed surprise that Americans should take time off to elect a President in the midst of a decisive war.

The Russians are elated. They had feared that a change of President would weaken Allied co-operation. British newspapers say that Mr. Roosevelt’s hand should be strengthened in the forthcoming deliberations with Mr. Churchill and Mr. Stalin. French commentators see in the election a guarantee of American participation in the world peace or-

ganisation. Italian and Greek comment is favourable.

The Swedish newspaper “Aftonbladet.” once pro-German, said: “The victory is greeted with the greatest satisfaction throughout the world.” Havana newspapers, in typical Latin-American comment, declared: “We consider Mr. Roosevelt’s triumph our very own.” American troops on the Western Front in Europe were generally pleased, but front line soldiers displayed no great interest. ' Madame Chiang Kai-shek, who i? recuperating from her illness in the United States, sent the following telegram to Mr. Roosevelt: “The American people have expressed what people in every land feel regarding your vision and your passionate concern for common men. . PRESIDENT’S TOURS NEW YORK, November 9. The Washington correspondent of the “New York' Times” says: It is expected that President Roosevelt will participate in a number of important conferences in Europe on the conduct of the war and on planning the peace before his inauguration on January 20. It is expected that the President will accept General de Gaulle’s invitataion to visit Paris soon. Probably he will meet Mr Churchill and M. Stalin somewhere in the Middle East. Mr Roosevelt may also visit London.