Evening star., 1940-10-30
Roosevelt LEADING
In Rhode Island, but
WiI|kie Is Gaining
Mounting Enthusiasm
Gives G. o. P. Leaders
Hope Of Carrying State
Ry GOULD LINCOLN,
Star Staff Correspondent.


mounting Willkie enthusiasm is Civ
ing the Republicans in Rhode Island
hope of carrying the State next
Tuesday. Two weeks ago the same
G. o. P. leaders who now insist Mr..
Willkie has a chance here would not
have bet lead nickel that Presi-
dent Roosevelt could be defeated.
How we'll justified this recrudes-
cence of hope is it is difficult to say.
The atmosphere has certainly
changed-but it may all be in the
air and no more substantial.
President Roosevelt carried the
State against ALI M. Landon four
years ago, 10000 to 125,00O-a lead
of 40000 votes. Today, however, the
situation is vastly different. The
President was not then running for
q third term. He was at the very
peak of his popularity. There was
no war with its conflicting currents
affecting large blocs of the popula-
ton. And this year the State gov
eminent is in the hands of the Re-
pubhcanS, who elected Gov. William
H. Vanderbilt two years ago with a
lead of approximately 10000, after
the Democratic rows had split the
party wide open. The Vanderbilt
victory was due in large measure to
the determination of citizens in
both parties to have a house clean
ing.
Counting on Workers.
The Democrats here are counting
on the support Of the great mass of
workers, organized and unorgan-
lied, as they are in all the industrial
States of the East. They are put
ting their faith, too, in several
racial groups, including the French
Canadians, the English and the
Scotch and the Poles. The Jewish
population is not large. but it, too,
is relied upon to support the RooSe-
welt ticket. In the past the Irish
Americans have been largely Demo-
cratic, and they are a formidable
group in this State, though not as
large as either the Italians or the
French Canadians. There are some
indications that the Irish vote may
be split this year, with the Repub-
licans getting a good share.
In the scramble for support of these
groups the G. o. P. is pinning its
hopes on the Italians. because of
Mr.. Roosevelt's knife in the back"
speech. 1t is said, however, that
the resentment is confined to the
| older italians. In the recent past
the italian vote has been largely
Democratic.
The Catholic populati ton in Rhode
| Island is estimated at 50 per cent of
the total The reports here, as in
Massachusetts and other States, is
that a great deal of quiet work is
being done by Catholic clergy
against third term for Mr.. Roose-
welt No one knows how effective or
how far-reaching this may be, which
adds to the uncertainty.
Yankees Back Roosevelt.
The so-called Yankee population,
people of the original stock in
Rhode Island, has been and con-
tinueS to be largely Republican.
Some of this population, however, is
swayed by its strong sympathy for
the British and belief that Presi-
dent Roosevelt should be supported
in his foreign policies. The more
turmoil abroad and the closer this
country draws to it, the more it is to
the advantage of Mr.. Roosevelt,
Republicans and Democrats both
declare. This is somewhat differ
ent from the reaction Of voters in
other States. where the anti-war
sentiment seems to be much
stronger.
The radio address Of Ambassador
Joseph P. Kennedy last night,
strongly urging the reelection of
President Roosevelt and denying
fatty all charges that the Roose-
welt administration has given secret
commitments to the British govern
ment, may be effective in the CAM
paign here as we'll as in MaSsa-
chusetts. 1t was designed to stem
any tide among the Irish voters
against the Roosevelt candidacy.
The Kennedy speech also vehement
ly asserted that the whole policy
of the President has been to keep
this country at peace and so may
affect the Democratic and inde-
pendent women voters who have
been inclined to go along with Mr..
Willkie.
Rhode Island is a tough nut for
the Republicans to crack. If the Re-
publican candidate for President is
successful here, it will be largely be-
cause of the intensive work which is
being done by the many Willkie
clubs. AS Is stands today, the edge
seems to be still with the President.
with Willkie making gains.