The potters herald. [volume] (East Liverpool, Ohio) 1899-1982, 1940-05-09

able anguish among the many presi-
Dental aspirants, who see space given
to bloody events in Europe which un-
der happier circumstances would be
devoted to political speeches and mani
festos. For, war or no war, the two
great parties will meet as usual this
year and nominate candidates for the
two highest Offices in the gift Of the
people. And, also as usual, the voters
will go to the polls next November to
choose man to head the ship of state
for another four years-a four years
which may be as eventful and as dra-
matte as any in the colorful history of
the Republic.
President Roosevelt's frankly politi-
cal speech of April Goth gave no clue
to his intentions concerning the third
term-he simply said that the Demo-
Gratis must nominate pair of "liberal
candidates" if they are to win. The
Washington observers continue to
frenziedly debate the question of his
running again. At the moment, the
majority seems to feel he will not, but
will keep mum until the convention
meets in order to maintain control of
the delegates so far as possible. Dis
the President, Secretary Hull
still seems most popular with the rank
and file of Democrats, as we'll as with
officials high in New Deal circles. No
one takes the Farley-for- President
boom very seriously - best guess is
that Big Jim is simply cementing his
hold on the Democratic organization,
has hopes of receiving the vice-presi-
Dental nomination, and would like to
see Mr.. Hull head the ticket.
Within Republican ranks, the Van
denberg candidacy apparently has fall
len on rather evil days so far as the
voters are concerned = Dewey has
beaten him badly in the open tests.
At the same time, Vandenberg has
many supporters in the upper circles
of the party, including men who are
extremely potent in handling conven-
tion delegates. Taft has made good,
if non-dramatic showing, and is much
in the running. Dewey, of course, has
made almost startling progress, and
has yet to lose a state in which his
name has been entered. He has proven
the best vote getter the COP has re-
Gently produced. Even so, seasoned
political commentators still discount
his chances about 80 per cent-the Re-
publican leaders, with the possible ex-
ception Of Landon, are cool toward
him, think him too young and mex
perienced.
Interesting development has been
the fast growing stature of Wendell
Willkie. Mr.. Willkie has been a lead
cr in the tight ssltyzsslrstt. certain New
Deal policies. He is among the
stuanchest defenders Of civil liberties.
He has made large number of
speeches, which even his strongest op-
ponents admit are adroitly reasoned
and compelling. And he possesses an
excellent radio manner, and an aggres-
sive and vibrant personality. Hugh
Johnson, Dorothy Thompson, Arthur
Krock and other top-notch columnists
have heartily endorsed him. This
hasn't turned Mr.. Wilkes head at all
he has said he isn't out for the NOM
doesn't believe he could get it,,
and isn't letting it bother him. But
he is factor to be reckoned with. If
the Republicans should reach stale
mate in the convention, as may we'll
happen, it is not impossible that Dark
Horse Willkie would be offered the
And his friends and foes
alike are sure he could make first
rate fight.
So much for the leading candidates.
Significant fact, gained from the re-
cent primaries, is that Republican
strength is gaining, especially in the
all important Midwest. This doesn't
mean that the Democratic vote has
shown any cataclysmic drop. 1t
hasn't. But it does mean that in all
probability neither party can hope to
win hands down. 1t looks like close
election, where every state will count.
Speaking of Hitler's Scandinavian
adventure, Major Gerohe Fielding
Eliot recently wrote: "While Germany
cannot afford to lose, Britain cannot
afford to let her win." A German de-
feat would mean that important Sean
dinavian resources would be lost to
the Reich, and that she must face war
on two fronts. A German victory
would mean the virtual collapse of
British prestige amongst the neutrals
to quote Major Eliot again, "No
other little nations in Europe would
depend much on Allied guarantees if
even Norway, on Britain's doorstep,
cannot be rescued from the Nazis."
So the war could be lost or won by
either side on the Scandinavian penin-
sula. This doesn't mean that deci-
sive victory either way there would
end hostilities-both sides could fight
on indefinitely. But, in the opinion of
the experts, it might be a futile strug-
gle for whichever side lost in Denmark
and Norway.
In the meantime, Italy still holds
the spotlight. Mussolini's telegram to
Hitler on his birthday, in which he
e,;j Il, AHo,& {b,t Ia ,,,,s oor%o;,, &c