STILL UNCERTAIN

Wairarapa Times-Age, 27 February 1940, Page 5

STILL UNCERTAIN

PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT’S INTENTIONS THIRD TERM QUESTION. THE ILLINOIS PRIMARY. By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright. NEW YORK. February 25. The “New York Times” Washington correspondent says that the failure of President Roosevelt to withdraw his name from the Illinois preferential primary list in the Democratic Party’s presidential selection by last night, which was the deadline, is being regarded here as a "go-ahead signal” for the movement to draft him for a third term in office. The leaders of this movement are elated and intend to proceed vigorously with their plans, which were held in abeyance for fear of a lastminute withdrawal. The fact that Mr Roosevelt has never publicly assented to the filing of his name has not detracted from the enthusiasm. Since the Vice-President, Mr J. N. Garner, has also entered, the primary will test their relative strengths and also whether Mr Roosevelt’s popularity has survived sufficiently to overcome the unwritten ban on third terms for a United States President. It is considered most unlikely thatMr Roosevelt will officially state whether he is seeking a third term until after the Illinois primary, and some observers believe he intends to base his decision on the results of that election.