Manawatu Herald. [Established Aug. 27, 1878.] SATURDAY, JUNE 11, 1904. The American Presidency.

Manawatu Herald, 11 June 1904, Page 2

Manawatu Herald. [Established Aug. 27, 1878.] SATURDAY, JUNE 11, 1904. The American Presidency.

The American Presidential Election ia rapidly approaching, and the leading question in reference to it is, Will President Roosevelt retain office ? It is difficult to say exactly wbat the state of public feeling in America at present is. A few months back it appeared that President Roosevelt would obtain a large majority at the coming election, Mr Bryan being then his only opponent; but now there is another candidate in the field, Judge Parker, who seems

to be a inan of some ability, and it is rumoured that there will be a further participant in the contest, a Mr Hearst, though the latter has not yet signified his intention of so doing. Despite Mr Roosevelt’s formidabh array of opponents however, it does not seem likely that his position will be seriously affected. Mr Roosevelt is the leader of the Republican party in the American Congress; Mr Bryan is the Democratic nominee; Mr Hearst is also a Democrat; while Judge Parker, though prima facie a Republican, is in reality the Trust candidate. In 1902 a division occurred in the Republican ranks over the labour and tariff question, reciprocity being advocated by Mr Roosevelt in contravention to the interests of the great Trusts. Since then the breach between the President and his party and the Trust supporters has widened, and now the latter have nominated Judge Parker in opposition to Mr Roosevelt for the Presidential seat. However the widespread popularity of the President will, we have little doubt, insure his re-election. The claims of the Democratic candidates cannot be seriously considered. First of all the Democratic party is not a united body, its members differing very essentially Un the Currency question, and this of course prevents the selection of any single man as representative of the party. Then again the Democrats are sadly in want of a strong lehderi Mr Cleveland has fiOfr practically retired from the active direction of affairs, and Mr Bryan has been tried so often without success) that his chances hOW are Very Small. Mr Hearst is the “ dark horse ” in the Presidential handicap) hut as before stated it is hot Certain whether he will be nominated. Moreover, the election takes place in November, and Mr Hearst will have to labour with wonderful skill if he intends to displace Mr Roosevelt in the public favour within the short space of six months. On the whole Mr Mr Roosevelt’s election is pretty well assured; and if this be so, his success will be received with great satisfaction not only in America, but throughout the British dominions. President Roosevelt is a man of the highest reputation, and his political career has so far testified to his ability as a statesman. The fearless manner in which he is combating the great Trusts has secured him the sympathy of the mass of the people, and the general prosperity of the country under his administration has been so great, that the majority of the nation may be counted on to support his reelection. The feeling in Great Britain and the colonies is strongly in favour of President Roosevelt, for though of Dutch origin, the President has the wit to see what Messrs Bryan & Co. cannot see,— that the ties that link our nation with theirs are indissoluable, and that the two great communities of the Ang’o-Saxon race are at heart one. This is the keynote of Mr Roosevelt's policy, and his extreme popularity shows how cordial is the feeling entertained by the American people towards the Mother Country. With a man like President Roosevelt at the helm, we have every hope that this kindly regard will continue, for it is of the highest importance both to America and Britain, that the entente cordiale should be maintained between the two nations. United, the Anglo-Saxon race must control the destinies of the world; but if divided, the prestige of both its parts is shattered.