Poverty Bay Herald PUBLISHED EVERY EVENING GISBORNE, SATURDAY, OCT. 15, 1932. EYES ON AMERICA

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 17911, 15 October 1932, Page 4

Poverty Bay Herald PUBLISHED EVERY EVENING GISBORNE, SATURDAY, OCT. 15, 1932. EYES ON AMERICA

It is a commentary on the cnlightnient of the masses as a whole that in recent years, when domestic problems have been more pressing than at any other time in history, the peoples of the world have displayed an unparalleled interest in political conflicts in other countries. This interest is not, by any means, the outcome of mere curiosity, but is prompted by a knowledge that under modern conditions no nation can live unto itself, but that its major policies may have far-reaching international effects. Reactions from the displacement of the Labor Government in Great Britain, for instance, were not confined to Britain alone, the renewal of confidence resulting front it extending to practically all quarters of the globe. For a time all eyes were on New South Wales, not because people elsewhere were keenly interested in the success of Mr. Lang and his party as individuals, but because it was recognised that upon the decision of the electors depended the future attitude of the State in its relations to the rest of the Empire and with other parts of the world. Interest was not engendered in recent contests in France and Germany because people elsewhere were concerned about the rise of a new Government, or the fall of an old one, but simply because of the probable effect of the elections in the international sphere. Even with Russia, where one of the greatest experiments the world has ever known is being tried, the real anxiety is not for the success or failure of communism as it affects the Russian people themselves, but the effect of the national policy on other countries. As it lias been with these countries in the past, so it now is with the United States which, within the next few weeks, will elect its President. Already the cabled news Ims indicated the keenness of the issue to the people of America, and the attention of the world will bo more directly focussed as the date of the election draws nearer. It is not that there is any personal interest in the fate of Mr. Hoover or of Mr. Roosevelt, but because it is known that the things for which they stand may virtually affect other nations. Apart from her great material power, America wields an undoubted moral influence on the rest of the world, while her attitude in regard to such questions as armaments, tariffs, and war debts very largely controls the destiny of many other countries. Since, the policy of the President is virtually the policy of the whole nation, everything depends upon who is returned next month, and that, apparently, will remain in doubt right to the last. In America, more, than in other countries, there arc generally pre-election straws which clearly indicate which way the wind is blowing, but on this occasion the position is obscured to an unusual degree. Contrary to expectations, the party conventions revealed no serious ruptures among various sections, and in this respect both parties started oil comparatively even. Mr. Roosevelt was considered to have made a wise tactical move when, taking advantage of a changed public sentiment, lie announced his support for the repeal of prohibition, but this was offset by Mr. Hoover making a pronouncement on similar, though less definite, lines. The Democrat nominee opposed the cancellation of war debts in most emphatic terms, and then the Republican was little less equivocal in his attitude on the question. On the mutter of tariffs the old lino of demarcation between the two parties lias been maintained, but here, again, there arc qualifications that have tlic effect of mollifying the opposition in either case. Both policies bear every indication of being attempts to compromise .with rival schools of thought, and the result has been to confuse the issues to an almost unprecedented degree, and the contest is likely to revolve around personalities and general administrative matters rather than truly political questions. On these grounds it might, be expected that Mr. Ho vor might bo penalised through having been in office during the years of depression. Support, for this view was given at the elections in Maine a month or so ago, when a State that was traditionally Republican and traditionally “dry" swung right over to the Democrats who are undoubtedly “wet." Since (hen, howover, there lias been some apparent, change in opinion, and a “siraw poll’ conducted, by the Literary Digest and usually a fairly accurate forecast

—has given a majority to Mr. Hoovei

In the past few days another live issue has been created by the President’s assertion that the Democrats’ policy would throw the United States off the gold standard. On the face of .it this might appear to be a very minor point, but the importance attached to it is apparent from the reactions noth in America and overseas. The immediate result was to gather support for the .Republicans, but how long the effect will last remains to be scon. The

next week or two is certain to see an ebb and flow in the fortunes of hoth parties, and all the probabilities suggest that the, result will remain in doubt, right, up to the last moment. The effect of the result on 1 lie rest of the world may be l'ar-reacliing or insignificant, according to the manner in which the successful candidate ultimately chooses to interpret the pledges he has made to the people. More than likely there will be little alteration in international policy whatever happens. Mr. Roosevelt has certainly promised to lower tariff walls, but the price of that concession will be insistence on the payment,, in full, of the oiuigations arising out of the war. On the other hand, Mr. Hoover is disposed to make concessions in regard to war debts, but is adamant on the question of tariffs, so that between the two it may be said that the world has something to gain and something to lose whatever the result. Perhaps the outstanding feature at the moment is the atmosphere of uncertainty occasioned oy the reactions on trade and finance by tlic clouded political issues, and for this reason the main interest of the world probably is to see the election and its consequent disturbance disposed of one way or the othei.