6 JULY 1944, Page 12

LETTERS TO

THE EDITOR

THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION

SIR,—It is very probable that a considerable majority of our people are hoping that Roosevelt will be re-elected for another term of office ; but both our public and Press should be chary of making this too evident between now and next November. For attempts to interfere in their domestic policy, however well meant on our part, will be as keenly resented in the U.S.A., as would any similar appeal to our electors made from the other side of the Atlantic.

What we should be chiefly concerned with is America's determination to bring the war to a victorious conclusion, and, after that, to take her full part in setting up an international tribunal to ensure that the conditions which brought about this war and the last shall not be able to recur in the future. In this vital matter there is every reason to believe that both Roosevelt and Dewey see eye to eye with our states- men. In fact, Mr. Dewey has already proclaimed at the recent Republi- can convention that such is the case.

It should not be overlooked that electoral opinion in the U.S.A. has, as a matter of fact, veered over very decidedly to the Republicans during the last year or two. Many Americans who are not keen party politicians dislike a permanent President at any time. Thus, while we here have decidedly moved in the direction of State Socialism, the opposite ten- dency has been apparent in the States, where there is keen opposition even to that mild dose of it known as the New Deal. This is not an expression of opinion, but one of fact, whatever the future may have in store.

We in this country will do well, therefore, to abstain, whether directly or indirectly, from instructing American electors how they should vote. To do otherwise will not help Roosevelt's chances, but, on the contrary, considerably prejudice them.

Should Dewey become President, there are less unlikely things than that he would nominate his predecessor to be his country's representative in Europe at the next Peace Conference, which would be a whole-time job. But, for us even to recommend such an appointment would be one of the surest ways of defeating it. On the other hand, if Roosevelt is re-elected, it is difficult to see how he could or would follow the example of Wilson in coming over to Europe for a long spell. Be this as it may, the soundest advice which can be offered to all our publicists during the next five months is to " keep off the grass " where American domestic issues are concerned. Nefas est ab amico doceri in these matters ; and, it would not help our own National Government to be returned to office at the next General Election if a vigorous campaign were to be started in the U.S.A., as soon as it became imminent, to show our people which side they ought to support.—Yours faithfully,