The Timaru Herald THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 1940 Third Term For Roosevelt

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLVIII, Issue 21805, 7 November 1940, Page 6

The Timaru Herald THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 1940 Third Term For Roosevelt

ALTHOUGH the complete returns of voting in the United States Presidential election are not yet available, it is certain that President Roosevelt has the confidence of the people and will go to the White House for a third term. As he is the first man in American history to break with two-term tradition his election is a spectacular endorsement of the statesmanship which has marked his career since he first took office in 1032. That the people have not only countenanced but endorsed this break with tradition is an acknowledgment that existing conditions are too perilous to allow a convention to keep the greatest living American leader from office at a time when tried leadership counts more than anything else. In his recent book The American Presidency, Professor Harold Laski said: ‘‘No office in the world to-day carries with it greater responsibilities than the Presidency of the United States; its holder needs the confidence of those who have elected him in full measure if he is to fulfil those responsibilities. Above all, he requires, in fuller measure than ever before, the chance to lead his people forward.” It is now established that Mr Roosevelt has this essential confidence of the people, and he will have the opportunity to lead the people in whatever direction prudent statesmanship dictates. Not since the return of Woodrow Wilson during the Great War has a Presidential election held such importance for the British Empire and its allies. If campaign speeches mean anything there would have been no material change in the attitude of the United States to Great Britain even if Mr Willkie had succeeded, but there would have been obvious difficulties associated with the complete change of Administration such as takes place when an American Government is sent from office. It is certain that there would have been some distraction of attention from the war. Erom the British standpoint, therefore, it was obviously desirable that Mr Roosevelt should continue as President. He has affirmed, as any responsible American leader should, that every effort will be made to keep the United States out of war. If there is a direct threat to the Western Hemisphere America will take up arms, but until such a threat is made the nation must content itself with continuing to play its present exceedingly helpful role. The pleasure and sense of security which British people will feel at President Roosevelt’s reelection will be reversed in the totalitarian countries. The President has repeatedly affirmed his undeviating attachment to democratic principles and every action of his since the outbreak of war has been designed to preserve the ramparts of democracy. How close the existing relationship between President Roosevelt and the British Government is was shown recently by the exchange of destroyers for Western hemisphere bases. This mutually helpful spirit will now continue undisturbed and British people will wish the first thirdterm President another four years of office as distinguished as the eight which preceded it.