The Presic'ential Election
The campaign for the Presidential election in America has now reached the point of utmost intensity, and it is generally believed that the contest will be a close one, and likely to be determined by an unknown quantity—the Serviceman's vote. If it depended solely Upon the conduct of the war and the planning of peace Mr. Roose- velt would be in the strong position that it is he who has made the running for the war policy which the country certainly accepts and for the policy of full participation in the organising of peace in Which Mr. Dewey now concurs. In his address at New York last Week Mr. Dewey showed that he takes the same view as Mr. Roose- velt in desiring to give powers to a World Organisation to take swift steps to halt aggression ; but the significant decision of the Republi- can Senator Ball to support Mr. Roosevelt was based on the con- viction that this policy finds in him its real exponent and advocate. The gravamen of the Republican charge against Mr. Roosevelt is that he is daring to stand for a fourth term. This is the argument which the New York Herald Tribune puts foremost in announcing its decision to support Mr. Dewey ; and apparently this counts for even more than those questions in domestic policy on which the Republicans would prefer to fight the election. During the next ten days the President proposes to make a series of campaigning speeches. in those States where the issue is most in doubt—in Chicago, Boston, Philadelphia, and perhaps in Cleveland, Ohio and Detroit. In all those places electoral excitement is increasing, and last-minute successes catch the votes of waverers. The Philippines naval victory should help the President.
