Evening star., 1939-08-27
Crisis in Europe
1hrusts New Factors
Info u. ). Politics
Presidents Part in Effort
70 Avert War Held
Influence on 1910
By the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press.
Whatever the final outcome, the
German-Polish crisis already has
thrust new factors of imponderable
effect into the American domestic
political picture.
1t may have served to reset the
stage completely for the 1910 presi-
dental contest, even though there
Is no change discernable as yet in
the cast of probable principal per-
sol.s for that political drama.
Unquestionably, if Europe is
locked in new death grapple dur
ing the 10 months between now and
the 1910 national conventions, the
campaign issues will stem from the
developments of that war and its
impacts on American economic con-
ditions and public opinion.
There can be no doubt. for that
matter, that the crisis already has
influenced the making of those is
sues, and it is that aspect of the
grim happenings abroad that fasci-
mates Washington political students.
able to turn even for moment from
dispatches pulsing with alternate
peace hope and war dread.
Political Probabilities.
Attempts to estimate thus far in
advance what effect the event of
either war or peace in Europe might
nave on American political DESTINY
nnd little agreement. Yet there are
certain interchangeable political
probabilities.
The crisis came close in the wake
OF losing battle by the Roosevelt
administration with Congress to
after American neutrality policy he.
lore an actual outbreak of war in
Europe could come.
When the session adjourned
PRESIDENT Roosevelt's party leader
snip was at the lowest ebb of his
Whlte House incumbency due to ef-
1ectlve coalitions against him by the
militant Republican minority and
olsanected groups in Democratic
ranks in House and Senate.
II Congress should be recalled be-
cause OF European war emergency
the President unquestionably could
expect greater cooperation. not onlv
from his own party, but also from
Republican members, in working out
the problems such a war would i'm
pose on this country.
Parallel From 1916.
And if there is no war in E,,rope
the American public's judgment as
to the Presidents share in averting
1t undoubtedly will be a new factor
with which his political foes will
nave to reckon. That could greatly
influence not only Democratic party
platform and Matchmaking prelim-
lnarles for 1910, but even the cleo
ton trends of that year.
He Kept Us Out of War" was an
effective slogan in Woodrow Wilson's
reelection campaign in 1916. He
Kept the World Out of War" would
be powerful argument by those de-
manding third term for President
Roosevelt.
Yet If war abroad comes, despite
all that Mr.. Roosevelt and the heads
of other governments joining in the
chorus OF peace pleas can do, there
Is increasing speculation in some
washington quarters as to whether
1t might not have an immediate and
strong influence on the President to
remove any doubt as to his attitude
toward seeking a third term. Ma
tional unity behind his leadership in
meeting wartime problems and
safeguarding the Nation from being
sucked into the struggle could be-
come his major objective.
Might Promote Unity.
1here are many Democrats who
doubt that he is actually receptive
toward a third nomination. They
have construed his silence as die
tated by the strategy of leadership
within his own party. both in policy
tussles with Congress and in con-
nectlon with his declared purpose of
doing all in his power to keep the
Democratic party keyed in 1910 to
the liberal concepts of his presi-
dency.
If the President has no third term
desire, definite disclosure of that at
titude might help promote unity be-
hind his leadership of the Nation
In the stresses of neutrality during
q European conflict. 1t is at least a
step he might contemplate since. If
war comes, he will in any case re-
man as President and national
leader for the next 16 months.