AMERICAN AFFAIRS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3875, 19 June 1928, Page 30

AMERICAN AFFAIRS.

THE PRESIDENCY.

CONVENTION OF REPUBLICANS.

MR HOOVER CHOSEN. - KANSAS CITY, June 14. The Republican Convention was reconvened this' evening, and Mr John H‘Nab placed Mr Hoover’s name in .romination for the Presidency. The convention, which had been saving up its emotions, now staged one or two excellent demonstrations, which lasted more than an hour. The sponsor of Mr Lowden caused a jensation, which loft the convention a little dumbfounded, by announcing that since the agricultural plank was unsatisfactory Mr Lowden withdrew his name from the convention as an aspirant for the Presidency. This was throwing the sponge into the ring as a signa] of defeat.

Tire sponsor for Senator Watson, however, arose and emphasised that Senator Watson would not withdraw his name, at which there were some feeble cheers. Senator Curtis, as a native son of Kansas City, received a full-throated ovation from Kansas City as his name was presented to the convention for nomination. His sponsor declared, “ Curtis is Bo quitter.” His sponsor was an enormously fat man, and he spoke with crashing force, his hands and body literally quivering. Senator Goff’s name was then placed In nomination by his sponsor, who jibed it Mr Hoover’s alleged pro-British sympathies by stating that Senator Goff paid no allegiance to the British Union Jack. Senator. Norris’s name was then put into nomination, and the cheering was just audible. Then ■ the real sensation of the convention occurred when the Ohio delegate put President Coolidge into domination. It appears it had been understood that this should not be done, but it was onlv a flare up of resentment of the Willis faction. There was. curiously enough, only the mildest applause for- President Coolidge. The seconding sneeches then followed, - after which the balloting began. It was then obvious that there was an overwhelm, ing sween to Mr Hoover and all that the anti-Hoover forces could muster were: 45 votes for Senator Watson. 47 for Mr Lowden, 64 for Senator Curtis, while President Coolidge received onlv 17, and then upon a motion Mr Hoover’s nomination .was made unanimous, and the convention adjourned until to-morrow. There was no excitement or derronstrat'on after Mr Hoover had been nominated, as apparently there was no' further use for stimulated enthusiasm. Mr Hoover’s vote on the first-ballot was 837. The Vice-president has not yet been selected, but it is now reported that Representative Tilson communicated with Mr Hoover by telephone to-day and received the latter’s consent to his activities. to obtain the vice-presi dental nomination. Representative Tilson thus springs into nrominence as a likely figure tor Mr Hoovers running mate.

MESSAGE OF ACCEPTANCE. NEW YORK, June 15. A message from the Convention Hall states that a fairly colourless message of acceptance from Mr Hoover was read to the delegates. It began: “I am indebted to my country beyond my power to repay.” The message then stated: I stand upon the platform adopted by the convention,” and he promised to discuss it more fully later. He pledged himself to support national defence, economy in government, and the protection of the American worker, the farmer, and the business man, and to uphold international peace and the enforcement of lomestic laws. He concluded with a promise to uphold the traditions of the Coolidge Administration.

THE VICE-PRESIDENCY. NEW YORK, June 15. President Coolidge, when informed of Mr Hoover’s nomination, sent the following message: “ You have been nominated for . the most important position in the world. Your great ability and wise experience will enable you to serve our party and our country with marked distinction. I wish you all the success your heart could desire. May God continue to bestow upon you the power to do your duty.”

Mrs Coolidge sent the following message to Mrs Hoover: “ The President and I send to you and yours our love and best wishes.”

As the convention settled down to business Senator Curtis’s nomination for the Vice-presideney became more assured. He was acceptable to the agrarian areas, He is also a staunch Coolidge supporter, having voted aginst the M’Nary-Haugen Bill. Senator Borah placed him in the nomination, and the convention went mad with enthusiasm. The other names were immediately withdrawn. Mr Hoover’s efforts to heal the wounds caused in the breasts of the farmers were successful. Senator Curtis was nominated by 1052 votes in the first ballot. The convention is over. i' THE PLATFORM COMPLETED. NEW YORK, June 13. Kansas city reports state that the platform which has just been completed is a lengthy document of 57 pages. The agricultural plank, apart from endorsing President Coolidge’s help to agriculture, is aa innoculous promise of the

party to reorganise the marketing cf agricultural products, and to create a farm board for such marketing and a federal system of aid to ■ co-operative marketing, but “ the Government must keep out of the business.”

The platform endorses, without qualification, the record of President Coolidge’s administration, praises his practice of public economy, and reaffirms belief in the protective tariff, “ although certain provisions of the present law’ require revision further to protect American wages and give the farmer further control of the American market.”

The platform again expresses a determination that war debts are to be paid, “ although we have no desire to be oppressive or grasping,” praises the multilateral treaty for outlawing war, and reiterates the desire for firm friendship with Canada. It expresses sympathy with China, but stresses the traditional American policy of non-interfer-ence in the political affairs of other nations, and reiterates a determination to stay out of the League of Nations. The party pledges itself and. its nominee to the observance of vigorous enforcement of the Eighteenth Amendment, deplores corruption in office and large election campaign expenditure, and reaffirms a determination to continue the restrictions on immigration and tq maintain the navy up to the Washington Treaty. DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION. GOVERNOR SMITH'S PROSPECTS. WASHINGTON, June 15. It is estimated that Governor Smith will go into the Democratic Conventionwith 646 delegates either instructed, pledged, or listed definitely for him. Mr Smith’s strength may be further increased by 26 Kentucky votes. The Smith leaders claim that the total of the Relegates’ strength is actually higher than is indicated by the above figures, which are based on United Press reports of the primary results where such results were clear cut. The Democratic nomination requires 734 votes. THE NAVY. WASHINGTON, June 11. In a report to the Navy Department on the aeroplane carrier Lexington it is claimed that the new ship made a speed record when it ran 700 nautical miles from noon on Saturday to noon on Sunday, averaging 20.2 knots. WALL STREET TRADING. NEW YORK, June 13. The losses of paper profits in the sensational decline on Tuesday are reckoned in billions of dollars. The decline in General Motors from the year’s high point alone is estimated -to have caused a loss of 550,000,000d01, and Giannani stocks suffered a paper loss of 4 1 3,000,000d01, which is attributed to the sensational drop in the Bank of Italy’s stocks since April 30.