AMERICAN PRESIDENCY.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume III, Issue 858, 9 November 1916, Page 15

AMERICAN PRESIDENCY.

RESULT STILL IN DOUBT. AN AMAZING DEVELOPMENT. ALL PARTIES NONPLUSSED. By Cable.—Press Association. — Copyright. Australian and N Z. Cable Association. (Received November 9, 11.20 a.m.) NEW YORK, November 8. Democratic managers and newspapers are claiming that the returns of doubtful Stales which are not completed will elect Mr Wilson. The latest count shows that Mr Wilson is leading. DEPENDS ON CALIFORNIA. ONE VOTE TO DECIDE. (Received November 9, 11.20 a.m.) VANCOUVER, November 8. If California favours Mr Wilson bis election is assured by the single Electoral College vote. All parties are nonplussed at the amazing overturn of votes when Mr Hughes's election had been conceded. BELATED~~RETURNS. NEWSPAPERS "FALL IN." (Received November 9, noon.) NEW YORK, November 8. The extraordinary situation in the Presidential election is due to belated western returns. All the New York morning papers, including the Democratic journals, announced a sweeping victory for Mr Hughes, and published editorials thereon. This morning the MidWestern returns reduced Mr Hughes' enormous lead. Although Republicans still claim a victory, the result is doubtful, depending largely on California and Minnesota. Meanwhile, the American papers are publishing cabled editorials from London on Mr Hughes's victory.

THE DECLARED RESULT. GERMAN-AMERICANS ELATED. Australian and NZ. Cabh; Association. NEW YORK, November 8. The result of the election is admittedly a surprise. The predicted "land-slide" for Mr Wilson in the Middle West did not eventuate. Despite the Eight Hours' Bill, Mr Wilson did not receive a solid Labour vbte. It is evident that the Republican party has been completely reunited. German-Americans celebrated the victory hilariously at German cafes. Although the returns arc incomplete, they indicate that Mr Hughes has nearly 300 Electoral College votes. A few States are doubtful, but they cannot affect the result. : The Republicans have won the House of Representatives, of which the composition will probably be: Democrats 213, Republicans 219, Independent 4. In the Senate the Democratic majority of sixteen will be reduced to four, with the possibility of its being less. A RECORD VOTE. REPUBLICANS SURPRISED. Renter's Telegrams. VANCOUVER, November 7. The Republicans announce that their majority was greater than they had hoped for. The present outlook indicates a clean sweep, and that both Houses of Congress will be Republican. An outstanding feature of the contest was the record size of the vote throughout all the States. Exactly what part the GermanAmerican vote played in the result is being discussed on every hand. Hamilton County, Ohio, which is a well populated German settlement, gave Mr Hughes a handsome plurality. On the other hand, the "Tribune" comments that Mr Hughes's election is a filling reply to Germany's Lusilania crime and other atrocities, and thinks that after Mr Hughes takes hold different treatment will be extended to such attacks similar to those by U53 that may be expected.

A CLOSE CALL. UNPRECEDENTED POSITION. Australian and N.Z. Cable An/rn fiat ion. (Received November !), 8.45 a.m.) NEW YORK, November 8. There has been an unprecedented development in the Presidential election. The first indications appeared to give Mr Hughes a majority, but later figures showed that the Western Slates had unexpectedly rallied to President Wilson. With 40 electoral college votes slill doubtful, Mr Hughes is leading. The election is the closest in American history. BALLOT BOXES GUARDED. PRO-GERMANS CHAGRINED. (Received November 9, 1 p.m.) NEW YORK, November 8. Tremendous interest is being manifested in the election. Democrats and Republicans are both demanding thai the ballot boxes be guarded. When it was realised this morning that Ihe election was doubtful crowds lik'ially fought for possession of fresh editions of Ihe newspapers. There ; ie many reports of tampering with figures, and both sides are preparing to contest the counts. German-Americans are deeply chargrined at the change in (he situation.