The Daily News THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 1916. AMERICA'S PRESIDENT-ELECT.

Taranaki Daily News, 9 November 1916, Page 4

The Daily News THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 1916. AMERICA'S PRESIDENT-ELECT.

More ilan usual interest has been evinced in the choice of President of the United States for the forthcoming term of office, mainly owing to the failure of Dr. Wood row Wilson, the present occupant cf the presidential chair, to take a firm and resolute stand over matters arising from Germany's outrage of all recognised laws and customs relating to the conduct of international warfare. The pi'jsent contest has been between the present President and Judge Hughes, ex-President Roosevelt, who was a candidate, in the first instance, having retired in favor of Judge Hughes in order to defeat Dr Wilson's chances of success. Had Colonel Roosevelt stood and defeated Dr. Wilson there would be no question as to what America's policy regarding the war, and epecially Germany's part therein, would have been; but wiMi Judge Hughes this momentous question of policy will bo still in doubt, for the election campaign affords no definite clue on the subject. Apparently the one great object of the people of the United States is to keep out of the war, and make as much profit as possible out of the belligerents. At the same time, the voting should- be taken as an indication that Dr. Wilson Sias failed in upholding the honor of the •United States, and has been found wanting in initiative to deal with the many serious complications that have arisen. The result may be, and probably is, also expressive of the determination of the German element to punish Dr. Wilson for allowing munitions to be supplied to the Allies. The speeches made by the candidates during the campaign studiously avoided the war question in its graver aspects, and were practically confined to internal and Mexican affairs. These tactics must not be taken as indicating that Judge ■Hughes has no decided views on- American duty in connection with the war. lie was out to win votes, and the war was a dangerous plank, 90 he avoided it, although it has been reported that he was in communication with the German-American organisation in connection with his candidature. It must be remembered that the methods of American politicians are vastly different from those of Britain or the Dominions, and though it will not be cither wise or prudent to expect too much from Judge Hughes when he takes office, yet when- Colonel Roosevelt retired in his favor he declared his conviction tha! the Republican candidate would formulate a strong and firm foreign policy. It is to be hoped, if only for the sake of restoring to the United States their lost honor, that Colonel Roosevelt's conviction will be realised. There is a golden opportunity for the new President to show that, after ail, America must be reckoned with in international affairs, and when he is installed in office it may be found that he will avoid the pitiful vacillation and- weakness of his predecessor. We do not expect America to join in- the war—that i; too much to hope for—but we do look for a firm stand to be taken in connection with flagrant outrages by the Germans, and a stern punitive attitude adopted. One point is perfectly dear, and that is the impossibility of

Judge Hughes being more weak-kneed than Dr. Wil-son. In spite of his obtaining German votes, there is no reason to anticipate 'he will be other than friendly to the Allies, and especially to llnfuiu. There is always a iliflicnlty in forecasting a new President's poliey, for the reason that in Ameriea there is so much wire-pulling and political "bossing" that these is little room left for getting at the root of the nation's conviction?. It will be as well not to anticipafc that any gain will accrue to the Allies from the change of President, and to regard the election merely as evidence of Dr. Wilson's failure to retain the confidence of the electors. At the same time, we may look forward to a, more enlightened policy than that of Dr. Wilson, and to the maintenance of the most friendly relations with Britain and her Allies. Judge Hughes is cute enough to know that the after-wai trade of the Allies is a factor to be reckoned with, whereas that of tihe Central Power* will be adverse to the interests of American producers. In turning down Dr Wilson the electors of the United States have only done what was expected of them, and thia is a hopeful sign for the future

WAIWAKAIHO BRIDGE DISASTER. The collapse of the eastern end of the Waiwakaiho bridge yesterday, when the river was in flood, is a disaster that should never have takea place, and the responsibility therefor may justly be laid on the shoulders of the Government. It will bo remembered that, owing to the removal of large quantities of boulders from the river below the bridge, tihe bed of the stream rapidly became lowered, and efforts were made, by means of a boulder weir, held together by .stout wire-netting, to stop the scour which was undermining the pillars of the bridge. This device proved too frail to resist the volume of water at flood-times, and' it was swept away. The danger of the bridge them became so great that it was imperative action should be taken to avert a catastrophe, and an urgent appeal was made to the Government for assistance in overcoming the evil, which also threatened the railway bridge adjacent. After infinite trouble and waste of precious time; the Government agreed to contribute a third of the cost of a substantial weir, if the Borough Council and the County Council would contribute similarly. This was agreed to, and the Government took charge of the work, the final estimate of cost being greatly in excess of the original estimate, owing to the increased strength deemed necessary. If the work had been put in hand and carried .out without delay, as it should have been, it would have been completed months ago, but the dilatory policy of the Works Department of the Government -has been so great that, though the buge concrete blocks 'have been made, not one has been placed in position, and now the expected has 'happened, and the bridge has collapsed, upsetting the traffic until temporary arrangements are made. The local bodies concerned have done their best to facilitate matters, and the Government Department is alone to blame. It is a striking commentary on departmental methods, and the least the Government can do is to bear the cost of repairing the damage done, and to finish the apron work without further delay.