Evening star., 1920-12-05
HARDING PROPOSES
MAKING U,S.MAR|NE
FIRST ON THE SEAS
Wants War-BuiIt Ships
Turned Over to Private
Management.
URGES GOVERNMENT AID
TO ENCOURAGE LINES
President-Elect Appeals for Navy
Fit to Be Defense for Ameri-
can Commerce.
By the Associated Press.

America pre- eminent in maritime
commerce, cultivating friendly rela-
tions but jealousy determined to de-
fend it's rights, was pictured to the
world by President-elect Harding to-
day as he ended his vacation and
turned soberly to the task of formu-
lating the policies of his administra-
ton.
In a half dozen short public speeches
incident to a welcome home in the
shipping centers of Hampton roads he
asked for a government-aided mer-
chant marine that would make the
United States 1.-The greatest mari
time nation on the face of the EARTH
and for a Navy fit to be the first line
of defense for people "everlastingly
determined to defend it's commerce
and it's rights
He also spoke a word for an inter-
national peace understanding that
should not sacrifice American nation
ality, and took note of his presence
in the south by forecasting a national
unity that would have the people
of the old Confederacy understand
1naI lnaI only q memory.
Kept Continually ON Move.
The program OF entertainment and
speechmaking arranged by Norfolk
and Newport News to celebrate the
home coming of the President-elect
and Mrs. Harding gave them one Of
the busiest days Of their experience.
From the moment they stepped
ashore in the morning from the
steamer Pastores. which had brought
them back from the Canal Zone. they
were kept ON the move continually
until late at night, when they left by
special train for Bedford, Va, where
Mr.. Harding speaks tomorrow. In
addition to numerous public func-
tiens In the two cities. they visited
the shipyard at Newport News. the
Norfolk naval hass Hnd snnnx. uhaaav
and the navy yard ax P6ftsmeuth.
and reviewed . special drill Of 10000
biuejackets at the Norfolk training
station.
1t was in a short talk to the blue
jackets that Mr.. Harding voiced his
belief in adequate naval preparedness
and in q nation ''everlastingly de-
termined' to protect American inter-
ests
At the same time, however, he ex-
pressed to the men whose command
er-in-chief he soon will be, a hope
that they never would have to fire a
gun for their country
Emphasizes Auxiliary Importance.
His stand for pre-eminent mer-
chant marine was expressed in a
speech in the Newport News Academy
of Music, and again late in the after
noon to a crowd Of thousands in the
Norfolk Tabernacle. Stress also was
laid on the nations commercial ex-
pansion and the opportunities Of
Hampton roads in an address at a
dinner tonight given in his honor by
the Norfolk Chamber Of Commerce.
In his speech at the tabernacle Mr.
Harding also emphasized the auxiliary
military Importance of a strong mer-
chant marine, and charged that the
chief opponents of an American ship
subsidy in pre-war days were the
agents Of German steamship lines.
The senator and Mrs. Harding, alb
sent from continental United States
since November 1s. came ashore at
Newport News at 1880 this morning
after a triumphal greeting by naval
and commercial craft at anchor in
the roads. Ashore they were re-
ceived with similar acclaim. crowds
cheering them as they passed about
and city officials extending them all
the courtesies that could be shown
to an actual President and first lady
of the land.
Destroyer Turned Over for Use.
The ranking naval and military off,
them throughout the day and the de-
stroyer Branch was turned over for
their use in their inspection trip
about the roads. AS they motored
through the navy yard just at dusk
many thousands of bluejackets were
standing at retreat on the decks of
their ships. and they remained at at
uHtii Tue IicSlucHt-tIecL mad
passed.
In his talk at the training station
Mr.. Harding declared his heart sell
dom had been so warmed as by tho
privilege of reviewing such a BODY
of young American manhood.
II have felt just a little special re-
joicing," he continued, ITO know that
you all are here as volunteers in the
service of your country. The greatest
thing in life is service and the creates,
achievement in life is the highest serv.
ice one can give. How fortunate it is
that our civilization has been develop-
ed to a point where you are more than
trained to defend your country; you
are trained also to live for your coun.
try.
Ffrat Line Of Defense.
The Navy is the first line of Amer.
lean defense. No nation can hope to be
eminent in commerce in these times
without a naval institution adequate
to protect it's rights. I want a nation
righteous in its purposes. righteous in
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