MacArthur And U.S. Presidency

Northern Advocate, 10 March 1948, Page 4

MacArthur And U.S. Presidency

Interest in the United States’ Presidential election this year will be quickened by the news that General Douglas MacArthur says he will accept the Presidency "if called by the American people,” but will not actively seek it. For some time General MacArthur has been mentioned ns a likely opponent of President Truman, but the General has emulated Brer Fox. for, though he may have thought a lot about the Presidency, he has said nothing which could be interpreted as a clear indication of his intentions. Attempts to obtain a clear statement. and General MacArthur’s reaetions thereto, have been reminiscent of the pre-election utterances of Ex-President Coolidge. who mystified the people of the United States by references to “running” which might have meant his intention to accept or reject renomination for the Presidency. Now General MacArthur has declared that if the American people call him he will accept the Presidency. but he will not take active steps to secure election. That is as may be. but it can be taken for granted that if the General is nominated by the Republican Party he will be forced to conduct

an aggressive campaign. The Republican Party is clearly determined to make a supreme effort to prevent the Democrat Party’s Mr Truman from continuance in office, for though the President, a Democrat. has acted very fairly since a Republican Government was returned power, it is evidently felt by the Republican Party that both President and Government should carry the same colours. According to Press reports. Republicans have been "booming" General MacArthur for the Presidency, and his announcement published today is declared by a leading supporter to be "a green light to his friends to get to work.” As Mr Truman has announced that he will definitely be a candidate for the Presidential nomination by the Democrat Party, and as this decision is said to have followed “urgent requests” from Democrat leaders throughout the country, the election fight may be said to have begun. In view of the vital importance of United States foreign policy to Britain and the world at large, and the part which it will play in the election campaign, the Presidential issue is one that warrants close observance of its course.