The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-04-12

Washington, April 12.-Following j
custom inaugurated by George Wash
ington, abandoned by Thomas Jeffer-
son and revived by Woodrow Wilson.
President Harding delivered his first
message o congress today in person.
The two houses assembled in joint
session in the house chamber to hear
the executive outline his views with
regard to the many domestic and for
eign problems pressing for solution.
Cheers Greet League Statement,
President Hardings declaration
that the United States would have no
part in the present League of Nations
was received with a great demonstra-
tion. Republican members OF the
senate and house, who, with members
of the cabinet crowded the house
chamber to hear the president deliver
his message in person, applauded Wig
orously. The demonstration quickly
grew into cheering. the Republican
members standing. The galleries
Joined in the demonstration and it was
some minutes before quiet was re-
stored.
The Democratic members, many
with stolid faces and folded arms, did
tor Hitchcock, of Nebraska, who led
the long fight N the senate in favor
OF the league. smiled broadly, however.
Frequent applause from the repu -,lic
interrupted other portions of the pres
ident's statement on the league. Peace
by congressional resolution also met
with demonstration of approval, but
there was no. applause for the sugges-
tion that the peace terms of the treaty
of Versailles be ratified with safe
guarding reservations.
Contained $500 Words.
The presidents address contained
about $500 wonds and fifty-five min
utes was required for its reading. His
concluding statement regarding the
peace and the league was delivered
slowly with solemn emphasis. The
audience rose and cheered as the pres
ident finished, tucked his nose glasses
in his pocket and shook hands with
Vice President Coolidge and Speaker
Gillett.
Harding finished speaking at 1855.
His message took exactly fifty->ive
minutes to deliver.
q. o. p. Chiefs Approved.
Republican members of the senate
foreign relations committee were call
ed to the White House at 10 o'clock
this morning for a conference with
the president. The senators gathered
finishing the revision of the proofs of
his messag ge from the printers.
Following the conference, the SEN
ators declared that the message was
satisfactory in every sense. The presi-
dent made no last minute revisions beg
fore the ge was read to the joint
session of congress, they declared.
The president, it was said did not
present his plan for rev association
of nations to preserve peace, but said
Grafton and hoped to be able to work
out a plan.
Declare L. S. Policy.
Republican leaders said Senator
Knox of Pennsylvania, would offer in
a day or two his peace resolution
amended to include a declaration of
policy that the United States. if the
worlds peace should be again threat
ened, would act as it had in the world
war.
The president was said to make it
clear that he spoke in opposition to
the present league. The message
was quoted as saying the executive
wanted it definitely understood that
the United States would not enter this
league upon any terms regardless of
any notifications or amendments.
The call for the senators to visit the
White House went out unexpectedly.
After the decision to summon the
Republican members of the foreign
relations committee to the White
House. the president cancelled the
regular Tuesday meeting of the cabi-
net which had been scheduled for II
a. m.
Is Composite of Views.
The message is a composite of the
views of Harding and the recommen-
dations of his cabinet. He has. for
instance, conferred with Secretary
Hoover on foreign trade, and with
Secretary DENLY on naval matters be-
fore writing his recommendations to
congress on those subjects
This being his first message to con-
gress. Harding prepared it with un-
usual care and has been writing and
revising it since last Saturday.
Harding wrote practically all his
message IN long hand. making few
corrections in the pencilled copy. Nu-
1nerOuS Insertions were made whom he