Washington, Apr. 15, 'The trumpetings of the' Republican elephant, which was buried a little prematurely by many political prophets after the elections last Autumn, are being heard in Washington. They may not yet have penetrated the White House. President Roosevelt shows no signs of alarm; but many Republican politicians show signs of encouragement.
The disastrous Republican defeat five months ago in the "mid-term" elections was due to a combination of circumstances which will not. occur again. The President's popurity had reached its highes point the precise moment Republican ineptitude had reached its" lowest, The Republicans went into the ele. tion divided and confused. They. had no common programme: they did not even have a concerted plan of attack. They were still dazzled by the emotional success of the New Deal in rousing public support and, fearful of attacking it and unable t3 defend it, stumbled aimlessly around the political arena like lost souls.
When Congress reassembled the Republican minority were suddenly made aware by rebellious Democrats that the New Deal could be attacked without the lightening striking them. Democratic Senators, such as Carter Glass and Byrd, of Virginia, and Millard Tydings' of Maryland, attacked the New Deal along ' lines which the Republicans themselves should have adopted had their leade hip been more farsighted. For time the spectacle was seen of the Republicans being led in their opposition not by their own leaders but by Democratic dissentients,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.