Evening star., 1940-05-23
emergency situation. He said in his

NdClOndl OeIenSe organized anu
carried on with reason and calm
ness is necessary, for the same rea-
son that fire extinguishers are nee
essary even in a fireproof building.
"It cannot be denied that the
present European situation has
serious implications, even for this
country.
LAS further means of defense,
national council-a small group of
leaders and experts In their own
fields, the members of which are not
merely administration satellites-is
desirable to head the defense pro-
gram.
But unfortunately for the country
tia leadershipsaSsin thoshahas III =
man who has not eliminated hirase1f
as a candidate for an indefinite
term as President, who at the mo-
ment has pledged to him more than
enough delegates to take the Demo-
sRAtie~n0uAlnation If kswantesdtr~
Po1f fticaI fmp1l catiors consequent
ly are inescapable.
Unfortunately any Republican
leader who takes position In the
present set-up from the standpoint
of unselfish national service is max
ing himself a party to this third or
indefinite term move.
"Should Eliminate" Himself.
"If President Roosevelt is equally
interested in unselflsh service he
should publicly and forthwith elm
mate himself as a third term candi-
date.
Instead Of weakening his posi-
ton, this action would strengthen
it. The President would become the
leader of the Nation instead Of the
head Of a party.
IF he does eliminate himself as
candidate, Republicans can and will
participate. It is to be noted that
even in the midst Of actual war the
Labor and Liberal parties in England
refused to enter the cabinet until
there had been substantial agree
ment on policies.
ITO suggest that President Roose-
velt is the only man in the Nation
to carry on, or that the national
elections should be Cancelled or al
lowed to 60 by default, Is to use the
same argument the Nazis use in be-
half of Hitler.
Basic Principles Necessary.
IF democracy Is important, and Is
in peril, there is a particular neces-
sity to preserve all its basic princi-
Piles, including that of two presi-
dental terms.
Fortunately under our tradition
and usages, stepping out of the
White House does not mean that the
Nation is deprived of a Presidents
experience and ability"
It has been repeatedly published
that President Roosevelt recently Of
fered Col. Frank Knox, publisher
of the Chicago Daily News, the office
Of Secretary Of the Navy, without
any denial issuing from the White
House. And 1t was rumored that
the President had in mind the offer
of a cabinet place or some other i'm
portant job which he would make
to Mr.. Landon.
Mr.. Landon, however, issued
statement in Topeka last Sunday
night opposing anything that re-
sembled coalition government"
Friends Of Mr.. Landon say that his
statement was responsible, first, for
a cancellation Of the invitation to
luncheon at the White House, which
reached Mr.. Landon in Chicago On
his way to Washington, and finally
to the indefinite conversation which
took place at the White House, after
Mr.. Landon had been re-invited by
the President himself. &
No Position Offered.
Prior to giving out the statement,
Mr.. Landon said the President had
offered him no position in the Gov
ernment, cabinet or otherwise.
"Why were you asked to come to
Washington then" Mr.. Landon was
asked.
"You will have to ask the Presi-
dent about that" was the reply.
Mr.. Landon remained in WASH
ington today for conferences with
Republican leaders. He will be
the guest of honor at a luncheon
attended by the Republican Sena-
tors today. He plans to leave to-
night for New York.