Evening star., 1944-05-29
Hint Of Spectacular
Roosevelt Trip Seen
Proposed Visit to England Linked
to Election Campaign
By David Laurence


By Dapid Laurence
President Roosevelt has given a hint
OF what may possibly be one Of the most
spectacular trips ever made by a DO.
htical candidate-he may actually be
away from the United States during the
time the convention is held to draft.
him for the presidential nomination or.
II not during the convention, then DUR
Ing major part Of the campaign itself.
Mr.. Roosevelt has let 1t be known
through his conference last week with
the press that he might see Prime Min-
lister Churchill either this summer or
next autumn or next spring. Why. It
must be asked, was such statement
made at this time? Certainly 1t was
not without some purpose. Presidential
movements are not, as rule, announced
such long time In advance and with
such apparent vagueness covering DOS.
sibly whole year Of the future.
The real reason is that when Mr..
Roosevelt does appear in England he
probably wants to be able to say that
he planned 1t that way long time be-
fore-long before the conventions or
the political campaign.
Unprecedented Move.
Besides, to be abroad during a cam
paign, presumably emphasizes the dis
interestedness of the candidate. Why.
1t will be said, he Is so Indifferent to
his own political fate that he doesn't
even campaign or go on the stump but
devotes himself wholly to the war eff
fort If he is elected, it will be claimed
this was the Spontaneous" wish of the
people. Certainly as a publicity ma
nuever 1t will be unprecedented. Many
voters will be impressed by the fact that
their President is overseas during the
period of critical military action.
Most important, however, will be the
contrast presented as between Roose-
velt and Dewey. The Republican
nominee-at least 1t will look that way
to the Democratic publicity manaeers-
Will be dealing with such "picayunish"
things at home as the loss of civil
rights and the aouting of the Consti-
tuition, revealed In the Ward case, or
the scandal arising from the possible
failure of the administration to en-
force the Corrupt Practices Law be-
cause 1t wants the labor vote and the
100000 campaign fund of the labor
unions.
Mr.. Roosevelt mentioned three sea-
sons-this summer, next autumn and
late spring. Obviously unless he is
elected to fourth term he could not
be going to England as President In
the late spring Of 1s45. But Mr.. Roose-
velt knew very well that inclusion of
next spring would start wave Of specu-
lation about his possible reelection.
To some 1t might mean an absolute
confidence as to the outcome Of the
November election. To others 1t might
serve to make his real purpose vague
IN case he does change his mind. It
was q clever thing to do--mention three
seasons and thus avoid emphasis on
the summer and autumn months be-
tween now and election day.
So far as destination Is concerned. MFR.
Roosevelt has long wanted to visit Eng
land. After all the British Prime Min
lister has been to the United States
several times and courtesy among,
rulers OF state requires q return visit
some day. One can almost hear
the Democratic spokesman DENYING
vehemently any political purpose In
Mr. Roosevelt's visit to England. Critics
will be lectured at forthcoming press
conferences about their ignorance of
the rules of courtesy prevailing among
heads Of governments.
1910 Inspections" Recalled.
Republicans may, to their sorrow. even
venture to suggest that maybe Mr..
Roosevelt who found time for 'inspec-
ton" trips among our troops In the
United States during the 1910 presiden-
tial campaign viii be finding it con-
venient to visit England in the midst of
the 1914 presidential campaign-Eng-
land, where large bodies Of American
troops who can vote are concentrated.
Certainly the British press which is pre-
JUDGED already in Mr.. Roosevelt's favor
because Of his generous '1ease-lend"
policies will quite naturally give plenty
OF news space to the visit and the articles
received by the American troops will be
good publicity for vote-getting.
One thing may have stood in the way
OF the journey-the rumors about the
Presidents health. So it was oficiaIly
stated week ago that Mr.. Roosevelt
was having physical checkup. Soon 1t
Will be announced that the President is
in the best Of health, and able to travel
at will. But Mr.. Roosevelt, it will be
noted, didn't actually mention England
as his destination. Maybe he plans to
meet with the British Prime Minister
on French soil when the first steps
toward liberation of France viii have
been completed. Maybe that's the true
reason for the vagueness of the date.
But irrespective of politics, most Amert-
cans will earnestly hope that the pre-
sence Of President of the United
States on French soil for the first time
since 1919 will be possible sooner than
next spring, and sooner than next
autumn.
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