Mr. Roosevelt and Mr. Willkie
Mr. Wendell Wilkie, elected Republican candidate for the Presidency at the Philadelphia Convention on the 6th ballot by an almost unanimous vote, has still to make his speech of acceptance, and still to engage in that discussion of foreign affairs with Mr. Roosevelt to which the President immediately invited him and which the new candidate immediately wel- comed. Out of the latter unexpected results might spring. Mr. Roosevelt, by his appointment to the Cabinet of Republi- cans like Mr. Stimson and Colonel Knox, has shown how deep is his conviction of the need for national unity in the face of external menace, and Mr. Willkie (who, when asked ten days ago whether he was in favour of giving aid to Britain, answered simply and uncompromisingly, "Yes ") may be considered on that point to hold precisely the same view. It would be a strange turn of fortune if two men pursuing identical policies on the dominant issue of foreign affairs were to fight the cam- paign on what for every far-sighted American (though not for every back-block American) must be the subordinate question of domestic differences. As to election prospects nothing can be said till it is known, as it will be within a fortnight, whether Mr. Roosevelt is to stand for a third term, and whether the Republican machine, which did its best to prevent Mr. Wfilkie from being chosen as candidate, shows itself enthusiastic or only lukewarm for him in the actual contest. But it is certain in any event that a President anxious to give every assistance to the Allies short of war will be installed in the White House in January, whether his political label be Republican or Demo- crat. Meanwhile, the approval by the relevant Senate Com- mittees of the nominations of Mr. Stimson and Colonel Knox is another gratifying evidence of America's temper.
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