The Daily Alaska empire., 1936-03-28
Tests For Governor LandOn.
(New York TimeS.)

(New York Times)
 Considerable political significance is naturally seen in the statement by Governor Merriam of California that he favors the nomination of Governor Landon This means it is thought that the Kansas Exec utve will have the California delegation at the Re- publican convention in Cleveland. If he is to win favor on the Pacific Coast well the Atlantic and is to retain his hold the Middle West, the belief will be strengthened that he at present the leading Republican candidate The outlook today is that he will have more support, actual and in reserve, than any other man yet suggested for the nomination
 What is the main of his political strength2 It is the map of the United States. The case was frankly put by Governor Merriam He said that MT, Landon is the only Republican Governor in the Middle West. So the crownng argument for him is geographical. If he were today Governor of Con- nectcut or Maryland, would be talking about him possible nominee for the Presidency It is his strategic position in the Farm Belt that has given him his political prominence, and bids fair to make him formidable contender for the Presidential nomination of his party
 Such a candidacy would seem to give fresh point to the conclusion of Goldwin Smith in his brief and biting study of American politics He said that were invariably put up for the Presidency the ground of eligibility not of demonstrated ability This has not always been our political annals Henry Clay, for example, like James G. Blaine and William J. Bryan, had great and devoted personal following that pressed him into nomination for the Presidency, though as was also true of the others his eligibility was much in question But if Governor Landon is called to the leadership of his party it will be distinctly and almost exclusively because he is held to be the most eligible man.
 Thus far the country knows very lte of him. few years ago 1t is safe to that not American in a thousand outside of Kansas had ever heard of him. This, of course, is no fault of his His suc- cess in being elected Governor of Kansas even when the Democratic landslide was still sweeping over the nation brought him certain amount of national attention This was heightened by his record and policies as an administrator of State government His personality, too, has worn well But what proof have l the people yet had that he is a nationally minded man? So far as is now remembered, he has never expressed himself upon the question of our foreign relatlonS Yet If he should be elected President he could not fail to have to deal with them perhaps under critical conditions. Nor has he publicly shown strong convictions or taken resolute positions regarong such national subjects as the regulation of business par tcuary of railroads and utilities He may have cor rect opnons about all these and other matters but he has not yet revealed them to his felow-colntrv- men.
 He may be wiser politically, than the children of ight ln keeping rather dark about these questions untll after he is nominated But he could not po through Presidential campaign without discosine
 more oI ms mlnd To be sure it is evidently the Re. pupcan theory of the strategy of the coming Presi- dental election to stake everything on opposition to President Roosevelt. The Republican managers hnk that the country be got to vote against hin Witnout scrutnlzlng too closely his rival candidate They seem to think that somewhat colorless man may, m the circumstances, defeat one who has color to spare This is bare possibility Anything ma, happen Tn American politics. But prudent part, would base its reckonings more upon what is likely tilah upon what may miracuously occur and it ma, De confidently said that would be little short of miracle if Governor Landon were to be nominated and elected President of the United States witbou being better known to the great ma iort, of. hi; f
 citizens than he is today