Manawatu Evening Standard. TUESDAY, APRIL 19, 1932. THE AMERICAN PRESIDENCY.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LII, Issue 118, 19 April 1932, Page 6

Manawatu Evening Standard. TUESDAY, APRIL 19, 1932. THE AMERICAN PRESIDENCY.

Interest m the United States Presidential election lias been heightened by the conflict that has developed among the Democratic forces. Towards the end of last year, Mr Franklin D. Roosevelt appeared to be the strongest candidate for his Party’s nomination. The names of other prominent Democrats had been mentioned—Mr Owen D. Young, of reparations fame, whose capacity in administration is freely recognised; Mr Newton D. Raker, Secretary for War in the Wilson Cabinet, and Mr Ritchie, Governor of Maryland—but it was generally conceded that the chances of Mr Roosevelt were the brightest of all, and that the advances made on behalf of his opponents were not seriously prejudicing’ his position. The pre-convention campaigns, nevertheless, are such a big factor in a party’s nomination that it rarely happens there is not some surprise in store. This has occurred with the Democrats and has led to a division of forces that is disturbing to many good Americans. It is the re-entry into the political arena of Mr Alfred E. Smith, President Hoover’s opponent at the last election, who, it was believed, had faded out of prominence. The fact is that Mr Smith, whom Mr Roosevelt succeeded as Governor of New York State, has repeatedly insisted that he is not a candidate, though he would accept the nomination. There is a faction within the Democractic Party which is strongly favourable to Mr Smith, and their manoeuvring at the beginning of the year led to political warfare over which neither Mr Roosevelt nor Mr Smith was said to be very happy. It would appear from cablegrams of last week that Mr Smith is now definitely an aspirant for nomination, and has launched spirited attacks upon his most favoured opponent. His address at the Jefferson Day function in which he propounded a scheme for international relief from war debts, which also would “flood Ameri-can-made goods into the homes and factories of our neighbours across the sea,” was obviously designed to win him support, but the subject of war debts so offends the susceptibilities of Republicans that the Government does not create surprise in exhibiting hostility, while the Democrats, with the election approaching, are inclined to reserve their opinion. Mr Smith is reported to be showing “some return of the personal fire and magnetism” he displayed in 1928. The split, therefore, is widening, and the further the cleavage the more do Mr Roosevelt’s chances diminish. This must react to the advantage of Mr Hoover, and opinion is that his chances of re-elec-tion have materially improved. Though his critics are many, the President appears to be assured of' the Republican nomination. Efforts to seek another candidate

to go before the Party convention have not been successful, even though insurgency was definitely noted a while ago in the Republican ranks. Mr Hoover’s prestige, it is generally accepted, does not stand as high as four years ago when he was swept into office on the crest of a wave of popularity that left the Democrats stranded. In the opinion of numbers of his countrymen he has not fulfilled the hopes expected of him. Nevertheless, there does not appear to be very serious dissatisfaction with his administration; his period in office has been marked by the disastrous trade depression, and it is a people’s inclination to blame their government for their difficulties. If Mr Hoover is to suffer severely at all, it will Re from this cause. Much water will flow under the bridge before the candidates are chosen. Next month throughout the country the primaries will elect delegates to the National Conventions, and in July these spectacular meeting grounds will choose their candidates. The Democratic Party yet have ample time in which to consolidate their ranks, but the split will be regretted as it was felt a few months ago that a splendid opportunity was presented to send their nominee to White House. The Republican landslide in the Congressional elections in 1930 was evidence then of the sharp decline in public support of the party, and the Democrats hope that" this will manifest itself in the Presidential election in November next.