The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-12-02
Presidents Report on the State
of the Country
Laid Before Congress by Mr..
Wilson in Person.
ON THE MEXICAN SITUATION
He Adheres to His Previous
Policy of Waiting.
Advocates the Strengthening Of
Sherman Antitrust Law.

Washington. Dec. 2.-President
Wilson read his first annual message
to congress today at a joint session OF
both branches at o'clock in the
house chamber. The message. among
the briefest documents of its kind
from any president and some three
thousand words long. required less
than 80 minutes for reading, though
it treated upon variety of subjects.
The Mexican situation President
Wilson dismissed with brief comment.
reiterating the sentiment he expressed
in a special address to congress upon
the same subject some time ago. and
expressing the belief that the Huerta
government slowly was crumbling
and that the United States probably
would not be obliged to alter its pol
icy of waiting.
No program for the trust legisla-
ton was presented farther than the
mention of the desirability of an early
amendment to the Sherman law TO
prevent private monopoly more effect
ually than it has yet been prevented,
and an announcement that the presi-
dent would later address a special
message to congress dealing solely
with that subject.
Building Of Alaskan railways.
which the president endorsed; the
need for concentration by the senate
on the pending currency bill, which
he emphasized; urgent necessity for
rural credits legislation; self govern
ment for Porto Rico and Hawaii; vi
innate independence of the Philip
pines; a policy of common council
and conference" between the federal
government and the states on the con-
servation question, and a revision of
the system of primary elections were
the other principal features of the
presidents address.
For details of the government 8
business the president referred con-
gress to the annual reports of his cab
met officers. The message opened
with this comment on the Mexican
situation: -..-
But One Cloud on Horizon.
'There is but one cloud upon our
horizon. That has shown itself to the
south Of us, and hangs over Mexico.
There can be no certain prospect of
peace in America until General
Huerta has surrendered his usurped
authority in Mexico. until it is UNDER
stood on all hands indeed, that such
pretended governments will not be
countenanced or dealt with by the
government of the United States. We
are the friends of constitutional gov
ernment in America; we are more
than it's friends, we are it's cham
pions, because in no other way can
our neighbors to whom we would
wish in every way to make proof of
our friendship, work out their own
development in peace, in liberty
The president observed that the
power and prestige of the Huerta gov
ernment was crumbling rapidly and
added:
I'VE shall not, believe be obliged to
alter our policy of watchful waiting
A suggestion was made that legisla-
ton be enacted promptly providing
for primary elections throughout the
country at which the voters of the sew
eral parties. may choose their nominees
for the presidency without the inter-
vention of nominating conventions.
Party conventions the president urged
should be retained, but only for the
purpose Of declaring and accepting the
verdict. of the primaries and formulat-
Ing the platform OF the parties.
The president suggested moreover that
the delegates consist of the nominees
Tor congress, the nominees for the va
cant seats in the senate, the senators
whose terms have not yet closed, the
national committees and the candi-
dates for the presidency themselves
by those responsible to the people 70,
carrying them into effect" That IL
essentially the system which Mr.. viii.
son introduced in the New Jersey
state convention.
The Insular Possessions.
The president referred to the need nj
administering the Hawaiian Islands
the Philippines and Porto Rico for the
people who live in them and not TO,
seinsn exploitation. He advocated
Self government for the Hawaii ant
orto Rico territory and urged thai
the United States go a step farthe,
with the Philippines, holding steadil,
In view their ultimate Independence
On conservation the president sus
gested a policy of common counsel anf
conference along lines (which mood h.
no less acceptable to the peonIe anf
governments OF the states concerne1
than to the people and government n
the nation at large"
Inc president declared there neef
pe no conflict or jealousy as betwee1
state ana federal authorities for ther,
can be no essential difference of ~.
pose between them" pun
He argued that the resources
to be used and not wasted or destrov
eu common purpose" he addod
ought TO make agreement easv,,
recommendations that the bureau n
mines be empowered and equipped r.
renoer more effectual service and tha
iair ana enective employers liabilit,
act De provided were the remainin,
subjects dealt with. The conclusion -
the address was an expression of com
pnment to congress for having laboret
SO "unreservedly during the pa ST ssve,
months Of uncomplaining concentrat;o,
upon the business of the legislation.
Il hope" said the president. chat 1;
may not be deemed an impertinent in
trusion Of myself into the picture i
l say with Row much and how con
slant satisfaction 1 have availed NV
seaf OF the privilege Of putting my tim,