The Daily News. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 12, 1916. AMERICAN PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION.

Taranaki Daily News, 12 April 1916, Page 4

The Daily News. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 12, 1916. AMERICAN PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION.

A? it is only seven months to the date oi the election of the President of the United States it is not surprising to find that Americans are already discussing the matter from a party point of view, but there can be no doubt that the European war will considerably affect the selection of candidates. There seems to be no likelihood of fl contest being avoided by inviting Dr. Woodrow Wilson to hold office for a second term, and the reasons must be obvious to all intelligent people. The war has brought about a critical state of affairs in America, and President Wilson has failed to rise to the occasion. Instead of taking a firm and dignified course befitting the great country over which Hie presides, President Wilson has exhibited inexplicable vaccilation and indecision. His actions have been similar to those of a ship without a rudder, and he has persistently avoided enunciating a policy, probably because, in view of the coming election, he did not know which would be the safest course to take. In the general way the man ,vho hesitates is lost, and 'President Wilson may experience the truth of this adage. To the keen observers of causes and effects, in America and elsewhere, it has been matter for great wonder how it was possible for President Wilson to remain silent in the presence 'of German crimes that have shocked tiie most hardened. As the head and mouthpiece of the greatest republic in world, the American President would naturally be expected to have given fitting expression to the abhorrence felt by his countrymen at the outrages by the Huns, not only of their pledged neutrality in regard to Belgium, but also of the barbaric cruelties and horrors with which their conduct of the war has been characterised, in defiance of international rules of warfare, even American citizens being ruthlessly mur'dered, and a stereotyped 'Please explain" being the only action taken—lf such a miserable makeshift can oo called action. On the other hand, President Wilson lias maintained, and probably will continue so doing, friendly relations with a Government devoted to bloodthirsty ferocity and unparalleled inhumanity. To every.man of honor in America—and there must be millions—the President's conduct towards !crmany must have been a bitter and humiliating experience that has tarnished America's honor and dragged her diplomatic reputation through the mud. Such is the man who has already allowed his name to be used for nomination for a .second term of office. The Democratic party may well be anxious concerning the coming election, for the Republicans will certainly strain every resource to carry their candidate, and it greatly depends on who that candidate will. ' e as to whether the party will succeed in their efforts to turn out the present Administration. Apparently the Republicans have the choice of three aspirants to the 'Presidential chair—Mr. Roosevelt, Mr. Elihu Root, and Justice Hughes. It is just possible that Mr. Roosevelt may appear to his countrymen as rather too pronounced in his militancy. So far there has been no definite announcement of his candidature; in fact be has stated t'hat it would be a mistake to nominate him unless the country is prepared to pass from the stage of ideals to that of action. This accords with his stirring speeches on the situation, utterances primed with aggressiveness and a Keen sense of America's duty and honof. Just as President Wilson fails to take any effective action at all, so Mr. Roosevelt poses as the man of too much miction. At. a crisjs like the present, extremes are neither tdviealde nor desirable. Of the two prominent Republicans, therefore, it would seem that Mr. Root would have the better chance of success, and probably prove the more fitting President. A recent cable states that his candidature is favored even among Mr. Roosevelt's friends. His foreign policy perfectly sound, and in him the Allies would have a firm friend. He has denounced President Wilson's weakness i and irresolution in no uncertain terms, but he is a long >vay from being a fi -ebrand. Apparently Mr. Root is the strongest Republican candidate in sight, but presidential slections in" America have provided several surprises, and it may be there is a dark horse in the background that will canter in an easy winner as tiie result of a compromise. The German element in the country has to be reckoned with, but if the bulk of buna fide American citizens decide to put an end to the present Administration and procure a President who wilj uphold the honor and reputation of the country, America will regain her status and the cause of freedom and humanity be advanced instead of being ignored

THE VERDUN STORM CENTRE. By this time there can be 110 question about Germany's tenacity of purpose in the Verdun region, where their renewed assaults are being made with greater vigor than ever, evidently in the hope that by continuous battering they will accomplish their object. It is evident that at a terrible cost the enemy has gained some ground by means of flank attacks, the French being forced to evacuate the Bethincourt salient in order to straighten their line, and thus avoid being open to these flank assaults. This tactijil move has been productive of the beSf results in breaking enemy attacks, and in strengthening the French positions. How severe the fighting has been in this region is evident from the refusal of the remnant of a German battalion, who were recently engaged at Douaumont, to return to the firing line, with the result that forty mutineers were shot as an example. This morning's cables indicate severe fighting is taking place westward of the Meusv but that in spite of the violent nature of the assaults, which cost the enemy very great losses, the French are holding their whole line intact, while their curtain of fire stopped attempted attacks on the Mort Homme and Cumieres front. It is evident that the French, are in good lieart, and quite content for the enemy to be continually ( diminishing his strength by these violent assaults, which completely fail to affect the strong position held by our Ally. It may, of course, be a question as to how long they can resist the fierce assaults of the enemy, but we | may take it for granted that the pjan of operations has been carefully mapped out, as it was practically a matter of certainty that the Germans would strivo their utmost to deliver a decisive blow in this theatre. According to a statement by General Cheffils in Le Gaulois, there is every indication of the German offensive being continued until they are demoralised, which will mean the commencement of a French offensive elsewhere but there is just the possibility that it may be necessary for an Allied offensive to take place elsewhere in order to relieve the pressure at Verdun. It would hardly seem probable that the rumored Austro-German attack on Salonika will take place until the Verdun operations have either-suc-ceeded or been abandoned, unless the enemy .s deliberately courting disaster. If Germany considers that she can force the Allies to entertain terms of peace, the speech of welcome made by King George to the French parliamentary delegates Bliould dispel the illusion. "The Allies," said his Majesty, "ars determined t.o prosecute the war until the menace nnd aggression which havo long darkened Europe's sky, and threatened the prospects of peaceful progress the world over are finally removed.'' That is the Allies firm re3olve and it will be carried out to the letter.