New Mexico state record. (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1914-19??, 1920-10-15
SPOKESMAN OF THE NATION

The sentiments expressed by Sen
ator Hard ng in his recent interview
with a correspondent of the London
Post, are such as would be expressed
by him in discussing the relat ons
of the United States toward any
other nation. AS reported by the
London Post, Harding's policy in a
few words, will be be a policy Of
America First" protection of Ameri
can interests, foster ng and develop
ing of American commerce, an
American merchant marine, and
recognit on that the first duty of an
American President and his Govern
ment is TO America.
This is not a policy of exclus We
ness or isolation. 1t is not a policy
OF antagonism. The correspondent
Of the London paper finds n il moth
ms to which England could take
exception. In fact he admits that it
S an expression of a policy which
England herself has always main
tained--that of looking after the
interests of the British Empire first.
Senator Harding voiced the opinion
that following the war th,re will be
keen commercial rivalry between
Great Br tain and the United States
particularly in the effort to promote
trade with South America. Such
rivalry in the past has not interfered
with amicable relations between the
United States and Great Britain. In
that rivalry Great Britain has been
the victor largely due to her policy
OF encouraging a merchant marine.
II is believed that under the new Re
publican policy of aggressively pro-
noting the shipping interests of the
United States there is a strong pros
pect that the United States VIII gain
the ascendency N trade with the
South American Republics. If this
shall be the outcome there will be
no more occasion for antipathy be-
tween the United States and Great
Britain than there has been when
Great Britain was the successful
competitor.
In his interview with the British
journalist Senator Harding gave as
surance that he had no hostile feel
ings toward England, and that the
rivalry which he anticiptes will be
conducted in an honorable and fair
manner. This goes almost W thout
saying, for in all its relations with
other nations the United States has
been fair and honorable and has
been actuated by the most neighbor-
~ of feelings. America has no de-
sire to destroy the business interests
OF other nations; she VII merely
look after her own If the United
States shall enact a tariff law which
grants a reduction in duties on
goods imported in American ships.
o. if commercial treaties are abro-
tgsted where the other parties to the
treaty discr inmate aga INST Ameri-
can shipping, such action will not
be for the purpose of injuring any
other country but for the sole pur-
pose of protecting American rights
ard promoting American interests
II the United States shall insist upon
a more strict enforcement of i'm
migration laws either with regard 10
japanese or the people of any Other
country. such policy will not be the
EXPRESSION of national antipathy bur
will be based solely upon the neces-
sity for protection of Amer can pro-
ducers from competition demonstrat-
d TO be destructive.
/. would have been easy for Sena-
tor Harding to make an .adroit bid
for that vote in America which is
particularly sympathetic with Great
Britain. He could on other occa-
sions make a special b d for the vote
which for one reason or another still
retains some measure OF affection
for some other mother country.
Nothing of that kind is found in his
interview He asks for no mans
vote because Of interest n any 9th r
country than the United States. H
position is one that commands the
warmest commentator and one
which will bring him no embarass-
ment AFTER ne shall have ben elect
ed President of the United States
His pledge to be for america First
w II not in the least interior. witt
his dealings in a most liberal name,
with every other nation in conduct.
ins his part in the foreign affairs o
tho United States. He VIII be ths
spokesman Of a nation VII ch oc.
cupie. an equal station" and not
subordinate position among the na'
tions Of the earth.