Evening star., 1940-07-16
Roosevelt Dictation
OF Running Mate
Seen as Dubious
William Allen White
Finds Convention Under
European Cloud
BY WILLIAM ALLEN WHITE.

CHICAGO, July 16.-It was 10
O'Clock last night as the first long
day Of the convention drew to an
end before any mention was made
of the grim realities that face
America in the foreign war. Speak
er Bankhead, keynote speaker, after
outlining the Democratic campaign
against Wendell Willkie, the Re-
publican candidate, frankly and
eloquently brought the contest be-
tween Hitler and Great Britain into
the convention. That part of his
keynote speech was well received
with intelligent attention. No one
can doubt, who listens to the lob
bies in a political hotel and walks
among the delegates at the conven-
ton. that this convention Is def
nitely more interested in foreign af-
fairs than in Democratic issues.
The New Deal is submerged. It was
the same at the Republican con-
vention in Philadelphia. There the
Old Guard was overwhelmed.
The delegates know well that no
matter what platform they adopt
nor whom they choose for Vice
President, which are the only
choices apparently possible now,
that the success of their ticket will
depend largely upon the issues of
the war In Europe. This sense Of
impending change in the world and
particularly in our North American
world, gives the color to the conven-
ton as 1t gave it to the Republican
in Philadelphia.
Glum and Spiritless.
In Philadelphia, superficial OBJ
servers felt that the Republicans,
the first day of the convention, fac
ing a hopeless campaign, were glum
and 'spiritless. But the Democrats
are just as glum and spiritless be-
fore the nomination of Mr.. Roose-
welt as the Republicans were before
Mr.. Willkie. That common feeling
in both party conventions indicates
that the democratic process IS work.
ing in our institutions or the whole
country is depressed under the
cloud of doubt, fear and uncertainty
that rises from the European con-
flict.
Yesterday was field day in the Plat
form Committee Of the Democratic
party and only one issue struck
fire. It was the issue of foreign
policy. Judging from the applause
Of the committee and from the
auditors, the party is behind the
President in his definite belief that
Great Britain should be aided by
whatever legal methods we can
extend. This was only one of q
hundred manifestations that the
Democratic party feels that the
President is its only hope. There
can be no doubt that a good per-
centage Of the delegates, probably
one out Of three or four, dislike the
President. This bitter minority Is
sulky but 1t recognizes that the
Democrats down 1T the end Of the
| gulleys and ut the top Of the draws
are with Mr.. Roosevelt, even If
the town vote is disgruntled. The
disgruntled Democratic leaders
freely concede to Mr.. Roosevelt the
nomination and the platform and
even his enemies realize he will
carry the regular Democratic States
and that his strength outside Of New
York and New England will come
to him because Of his foreign policy.
| Second Place In Air.
It was obvious as the hearings in
the Platform Committee closed
that the President viii write his
platform. A floor fight will make it
more convincing that the crowd is
following the President. Senators
Bennett Champ Clark, Walsh and
Wheeler, who may take the fight
to the 1ioor, will do 30 without hope
but merely to register their honest
convictions. But after that, writing
his own platform and nominating
himself, there is real doubt whether
the President could name his own
vice presidential candidate. The best
informed lAAdAfa are In doubt vheth.