Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-06-08
DRAFT OF DEMOCRATIC
PLATFORM COMPLETED
PERSONAL Work of President, i'm Con-
ference With Cabinet Members
and Other Advisers.
TO BIZ SUBMITTED BY LEADERS
Outcome Of ADMINISTRATORS Efforts
to Maintain National Honor, With
out Getting Into War, Foundation
for Foreign Affairs Plank.

WASHINGTON. June THE, ont
come OF the administrations efforts to
keep the United States out OF the war
and at the same time maintain the
ha'inhai honor VIII DO the foundation
OF the foreign affairs plank and ono
of the emphasized points in the plat
form TO he adopted by the Democratic
NATIONAL Convention at ST. Louis ac-
cording tn authoritative information
obtained tonight from administration
sources.
AS result of conferences with mem
hers or his Cabinet and other advisors,
President Wilson. who personally be-
gan work several days ago on n plat
form To he submitted to the convcn-
ton by party leaders. virtually has
completed preliminary draft. leav-
ing only details to be finished after
the Republican and Progressive con-
ventions at Chicago. The President
has utilized as n basis for this work
features of the Missouria state plat
form. which was prepared officials
made known Tonight, under the dircc-
ton OF the White House.
Following out this idea. It is under
stood that the national platform Will
declare the success of the adnuistra-
ton in guarding tho honor and Inter-
ests of the United states in the face Of
obstacles. and at the same time keep
ing the nation at peace. The admin
istratlon's championships against all
belligerents of the rights Of Americ:,
and all neutralS on the high seas VIII
be praised, with the statement that the
results will be of great Importance TO
American commerce.
The Mexican situation viii! NC re-
fcrred to. it is said, by praise of the
Presidents refusal 10 allow the ma
ton to be drawn into the internal
strife raging in Mexico, and of tho
prompt action In ordering troops across
the border after the Columbus mas
Sacre.
Another section is expected to laud
the administration for maintaining the
Monroe Doctrine ana fostering fair
dealing with the other republics of
the Western Hemisphere. resulting in
the building up Of trade with those
nations.
Finally, II is understood. the foreign
affairs plank Will align the party be
hind the President IN placing "Amcri.
ca first" with reference to all Qucs-
lions. both international and domestic.
The tariff is expected To he the sub
jet Of an important plank, the plat
form coupling the Underwood revision
with the currency law, ana other con-
s;ructlve legislation of the past four
years in a prosperity declaration.
President Wilson'S preparedness pro
gram VIII occupy another prominent
place in the platform.
II is indicated by administration on
Gals that the plank dealing with the
tariff will cmbody the substance OF an
unpublished letter written by the
President in 1914 to Senator Under
wood. then majority leader of tho
House The President wrote that the
principle followed in the Democratic
tariff was that each duty levied was
10 be tested by the inquiry whether il
was put al such a figure and levied in
such manner as 10 provoke competi-
ton.
He also declared it was clear that
the reduction of the tariff. the simpl!-
tcation OF its schedules so. as TO cut
away the jungle in which secret arcn-
cieS had so long worked. the correction
OF Its inaccuracies and it's thorounh
rc-casting, with the single object OF
revenue. were an indispensable first
step to re-cstablishing competition"