TEST OF DEMOCRACY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 8 November 1940, Page 5

TEST OF DEMOCRACY

IN AMERICAN PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION KEEN BUT IMPARTIAL INTEREST IN BRITAIN. DESIRE SEEN TO SINK DIFFERENCES. (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, November 6. The American presidential election, in which Air Roosevelt appears re-elected for a third term by a substantial majority, was followed in Britain with more general and keener interest, than any previous presidential contest, including even that in 1916. By a curious paradox, however, opinion here has also never been more impartial or detached.

The reason is that this year's issue which so deeply concerned the British public as to overshadow all others — the question of aid in war material and of moral support in the rescue of civilisation from Hitlerism —has not been the real issue at all. At the very moment when Britain was battling for freedom 50,060,000 electors across the Atlantic have been voting—and what is the crux of the matter, have been voting freely—on programmes and policies which will determine their future for several years. There were many attempts to forecast the result of the election, but its most essential characteristic as seen from, Europe was exactly the fact that at no point could anyone foretell with certainty the figures which this great plebiscite would yield. It is that simple test which marks it off from some recent “elections” on this side of the Atlantic in which a majority vote of anything from 94 to 99 per cent was a foregone conclusion from the beginning and it is to preserve that difference and all that underlies it that the upholders of freedom everywhere are ranged against the totalitarian States. Reports indicate that the immediate reaction following the election is a desire to sink differences in favour of national unity, eradicate the bitterness aroused in the campaign and also to unite to make the United States strong.

CENTRAL ISSUE DEFENCE OF CIVILISATION INCREASED AID TO BRITAIN EXPECTED. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) LONDON, November 6. “The Times,” in a leading article says that President Roosevelt’s victory was first and foremost a vote of confidence in his foreign policy and a mandate for him to continue to give every possible aid to .nations still resisting aggression. The majority of voters are satisfied that President Roosevelt was acting, as they would have him act. Also, third term or not, this is not the time to turn him out and'put an inexperienced man in his place. “Though the relationship of Government and business man was the issue upon which the campaign was fought, it was dwarfed in immediate .urgency by the necessity for defending fhe essentials of western civilisation against tho onrush of a barbarism armed with all the weapons of moderntimes. “The votes of Americans on Tuesday showed recognition of this. They have shown it still more clearly by their widespread spontaneous movement, immediately after the election, to close] their ranks, lay aside party differences] and unite the whole nation in defence of the common heritage. “The result of the election casts a great burden of great responsibility on President Roosevelt, but he will carry it gallantly and cheerfully. His task will be immensely lightened by the knowledge that he is able to count on the unanimous support of his fellowcountrymen.” City'quarters believe that America’s co-operation with Britain will become even closer, specially in the economic and financial fields.

The Stock Exchange market in Johannesburg immediately broadened and prices showed an upward trend. The victory is most popular with Egyptians, who feel that President Roosevelt stands for increased aid for Britain, which will be ultimately reflected in the situation in the Middle East.