U.S.A. PRESIDENCY.

Hokitika Guardian, 8 July 1924, Page 2

U.S.A. PRESIDENCY.

iUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. LA FOLKTTE A BIG FACTOR. NEW YORK, July 7. Senator La Folette’s announcement in connection with the Presidential candidacy has become accentuated in importance tor Several reasons, the chief one being the existence of the deep division in the Democratic Convention. which is considered sei iouslv to have reduced the prospects of a Democratic success at the coming election. It is held that the Democrats who might have commanded great national support, if they had chosen to make the Governmental corruption the chief campaign issue, have distinctly alienated important sections of the electorate through the Convention’s religious dissensions. Senator La Folette, moreover, has skilfully liutnoeuvied to gather himself great support, by declaring that his candidacy will be independent. and that a. Third Party will he formed after the election, and then only should circumstances warrant it. He therefore is enabled to secure the support of various factions among the Radicals atul Progressives, including the dissatisfied North Western agriculturists; the Socialists (who incidentally may endorse his candidacy officially); tiic Labourites, and even the Communists, although ho had attempted to repudiate the latter. Senator La Folette also can expect the support of Liberal Republicans, who are incensed at the Republicans’ corruption in office, and that of the Democrats, who have been alienated from the Democratic Party over the religious issue; ami the floating vote of all' the others who generally are dissatisfied with the major parties, will go for Senator La Folette. Senator La Folette will probably not secure election, but it is most likely that he will make the ultimate result extremely uncertain. NEW YORK, July 6.

Fifteen of the sixteen candidates for the Democratic Presidential nomination have approved a statement declaring that each is willing to release the delegates committed to him as completely as if his name had been withdrawn from the Convention. Mr Me A (100 is the (inly one whose signature is missing: only two Rival factions LEFT. NEW YORK. July 6. •Radical measures arq now being threatened hv both factions at the Convention. The Smith group has now gathered to itself all the anti-McAdoo forces. This group declare that if the deadlock is not ended, they will unite and nominate, if possible, a compromise candidate, the one most prominently mentioned being Mr Robinson. The Smith forces now appear to have one major aim, namely, the defeat of Mr McAdoo. The latter’s supporters. many of whom scorn all talk of the compromise, are declaring that Mr McAdoo must lie nominated. Now they are even ready to ask the Convention to disband without choosing ally Presidential nominee. They would lie willing to olfer Air McAdoo as tin Independent Presidential candidate directly to the voters-. Other hotheads among the .McAdoo group threaten to holt the Convention if anyone not acceptable to Mr McAdoo is named.

The country, meantime, is aghast over the Democratic disruptions, which some consider are spelling the dost Miction of one of the major parties, which is held to be so necessary for the successful operation of the American Government upon the bi-party systm.

MU McADOO’B COMPROMISE NEAV YORK. July 6

Mr McAiloo has now accepted the Jiiopo.-al to release his delegates to vote as they please hut only with a proviso for the substitution of a bare majority for the two-thirds majority rule, and for the abrogation also of the rule that a State delegation shall vote as a unit. Mr McAdoo also stipulates that with a resumption of voting, the lowest man he dropped at each ballot, until the nomination is made. He asserted that this was a practical plan to end the deadlock, and was essential. irrespective of its effect on individual cttmlidticy. Both the McAdoo and .Smith supporters tire standing firm.