AMERICAN CABLE NEWS

Hokitika Guardian, 4 July 1928, Page 2

AMERICAN CABLE NEWS

.Onited Press Association.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) U.S. ELECTIONS. NEW YORK, July 2. A message from St. Louis states that seventy-two hours after the Democratic Convention becomes past history, tangible evidence is available concerning the tendencies of preelection . campaigns. Historically, the dominance of 'Tammany in the nation’s political affairs stands out as one of the most amazing facts of the present generation. Tammany not only controls tho party, but through its candidates, has courage even to declare that it is greater than this party. Smith’s acceptance of the telegram indicates unmistakeably that he believes in modification of the present prohibition system, although bo will enforce the existing laws. The issue is plainly joined, and the American people cannot escape to provocate the import thereof. There may bo much that" is nugatory in Smith’s outlook, but there is nothing that is not committal. Smith thus takes on the indelible outline of a. man who will force a trial of strength with opponents in not only the opposition party but his own, upon every' question that under other circumstances might ho left dormant. Thus the impending post-C'onvention campaign promises to take on all that pungent flavour of tho conflict of personalities, producing issues and contests as the direct result of their own character: for Hoover, too, is by no means a machine politician. His very lack of political experience and the intensity of his executive business mind tinctured with impatience, promise to make him the most spirited opponent of Smith. It will he a conflict of two trenchant persons. One more significant aspect enters the situation. Even the more lackadaisical observer knows that American politics are intensely practical. The party with most money usually wins’, all other things l>eing equal. The Republicans hitherto have had the fullest coffers, and to put it in other words—it moans that Wall Street whs behind the Republican nominees. The recent statement by Mr John Baskob, chairman of the Finance Committee of the General Motors Corporation, one of the greatest entities in Morgan’s financial system, that' it was wrong to suppose that Smith is against business, seems to changed the whole aspect of things. The question now is:—Have the financial interests of America decided to switch allegiance. The answer to this is of paramount importance to nil. During the pro-Conven-tion campaign the indications were that no matter what happened it would he a Republican year. There is now somo doubt concerning the truth of this. Wall Street’s attitude in the pre-election campaign will bear watching. The' combination of strong political figures, plus the non-committal tariff pronouncement in the platform, and the possibility of plenty of election money, may produce an interesting reverse as concerns the outcome of November 6, hut the next ten weeks should produce more evidence justifyino* a positive conclusion.

HOOVER ATTACKED. CHICAGO, July 2

Calling Hoover “ mi areli-enomy of a square deal for American agriculture,” M,r. George Peek, Chairman of the Executive Committee of North Central States, at tlio Agricultural Conference, stated of the Republican agricultural policy. “If England were directly prescribing American agricultural policy, she could hardly do better for England, because that policy means that wheat wo grow for export, will bo raised largely for Canada and Australia, while American farmers arc starved out.”

U.S. MERCHANT SHIPS. WASHINGTON, July 2

The sale of the American merchant lines has been approved by the Ship* Sales Committee. The United States Shipping Board plan of sale is not disclosed. 'The plan will lie submitted to the Board, and is expected to lie approved, although some quarters 'believe the Board will not sell the ships, and is merely “feeling out” the market. The sale would practically remove the Government from the shippng business.

CRUISER STRANDED.

(Received this day at 9.30 a.m.) VANCOUVER, July 4

The British light cruiser Dauntless with a crew of 4(50 is stranded on a shoal just inside Halifax Harbour. Commander McPherson ordered all ves. sols to keep clear as there was a danger of the cruiser breaking in two. The crew with their effects, with the exception of the Commander and sixty officers and men, who are staying aboard, were placed on the Canadian light cruisers Festudert and Ypres. A dense fog and mistaken buoy caused the vessel to ground. There were no casualties but it is believed the cruiser will be a total loss.