CRITICISM BY MR. WILLKIE

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 232, 28 June 1944, Page 5

CRITICISM BY MR. WILLKIE

Republican Foreign Policy

CONVENTION EPISODE (By Telegraph.—Press Assn.— Copyright.) (Received June 27, 11.30 p.m.) NEW YORK, June 27.

Mr. Wendell Willkie called on the Republican Convention to demand the immediate creation of a United Nations Council as the first step toward a general post-war international organization designed to keep the peace. Mr. Willkie who is not a Convention delegate, criticized the Convention’s proposed foreign policy plank as ambiguous and capable of being used to throttle effective United States collaboration with other countries. The Governor of New .York,. Mr. Dewey, seems assured of nomination as Republican candidate for the Presidency. His principal support comes from the Atlantic seaboard and the Pacific coast. The Governor of Ohio, Mr. John Bricker, derives his strongest support from the eastern half of the Mid-west, and Lieu-tenant-Commander Stassen from the

western half, but MY. Dewey leads easily even in these* areas. The lack of a real fight among the potential candidates leaves the only real interest in the Republican election policy. Mr. Willkie in a statement said his position would be determined by the nominee selected, the nature of the foreign policy plank, and the “kind of people who are round the candidate and back of the platform.” Practical Republicans are anxiously watching Mr. Willkie’s attitude. It is estimated that he can control 1,000,000 votes, and it is not inconceivable that Ins influence can determine the result in a close election. Suggestions May Be Ignored. Congressmen believe that the convention will ignore most of the fundamental suggestions advanced by Mr. Willkie in a recent series of articles advocating the liberalization of the party platform, lhe New York “Sun’s” political correspondent says: “Mr, Willkie’s platform is regarded by some Republicans as a virtual endorsement ' of the Roosevelt Administration and the New Deal Republicans want stricter control of labour unions, white Mr. Willkie declares that the New Dealers have not sufficiently extended lahour’s privileges. Republicans favour a plank pledging opposition to the extension of Federal controls, while Mr. WlUkie vigorously advocates their strengthening and expansion. Three-quarters of the Republicans are interested primarily in domestic issues, while Mr. Willkie concentrates his greatest attention on foreign policy. . “The Republicans are now assessing the weight of the influence exercised by Mr. Willkie on the floating vote, which largely decides the Presidential election. Mr. Willkie has put the pressure off his own- party, and may prove the Iresi•dent’s most useful friend in this bitter election.” ____________