The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram., 1920-11-26
HARDING CREATES
GOOD IMPRESSION
BY BANQUET talk
tBy Associated Press)

or MS snort VfSlt Al the PdclnC termL.-
us Of the Panama canal, to recreation.
for the most part, although he had
several more talks with Canal Zone
officials.
The president elect rose early for a
game OF golf, and later took a motor
boat ride. Late this afternoon he will
leave by train for Christobal, where
on Sunday he will go on board his
ship to return to the United States
sailing for Norfolk. His return to
Cristobal will complete a three day
visit here, in which sightseeing was
combined with practical study OF
problems which will confront him
after he becomes chief executive Of
the United States.
Not he least of these problems, are
the relations the new administration
will maintain with the republic of
Panama, with the president of which
he exchanged assurances of good will
at he banquet given in his honor by
President Porras last night.
lnspects Forts.
The question of a proper military
force for the canal zone also has en-
gagged his active attention and he will
tie particularly interested in plans OF
the War Department to increase that
force to a full division. Senator Hard
ing today had luncheon with Brigadier
Kennedy, commander of troops in the
canal zone, and had long talk with
that officer During his motor ride he
inspected the forte off the Pacific END
Of the great waterway.
Senator Harding's address at last
nights banquet created most favor
able impression, judging from COM
ments heard after it was completed.
"The cordiality of your greetings
and the fine spirit of your good wish
es stir me deeply" he said, facing
President PORES.
Asserts Friendship.
'Tt is a fine thing for one republic
to be so reassured of the abiding con-
fidence and friendship of sister re-
public. I am wholly conscious / am
here as a private citizen, though am
not permitted to forget, however,
much may wish it, that l am to come
to a great responsibility at no very
distant day. Is it for that you honor
me as you do? Believing that is the
reason l cannot believe it unbecomlng
to accept, because more cordial rela-
tions between peoples, and riveted ties
of friendship among nations Is the
call of the great heart of human kind.
Moreover though bent on this hur-
ried visit mainly for recreation, l
would be insensible to the obligations
of citizenship if / were indifferent to
the great sponsorship of my country.
This is a most attractive land, and l
would be deaf to the call of duty as
MT in l
not seek fuller understanding of the
developing obligations of our civiliza-
ton as reflected here, and aim to add
to the friendly understanding which
becomes our two republics in. their ex-
ceptional intimacy here. -s--.
Spiritual Partners.
I'VE are rather more than friendly
neighbors, quaffing the cup OF most,
cordial association. We are spiritual
partners in one of the gigantic ad-
vances of the twentieth century trans
portion.
Your freedom and our genius and
resources combined to link the
oceans, and the day will come when
the commerce of the world will stage
its SURPRISING pageant here. One can
not escape the inspirations and the
impeling influences of commerce and
trade. The adventurous navigators
and discoverers came hither and re-
vealed a western continent to the old
world. but they came because they
wre inspired by it. Trade has made
peoples eminent throughout all time
and this fact is no less true today
that in the past.
'In your own republic you are as
riring to enhance your trade. The su-
preme problem is to further this es-
sential trade: hold it everlasting!v
righteous and not forget the finer
human accomplishments which are cs-
sential to spiritual, as well as mater
ial. upbuilding. 1t would be folly to
produce and exchange if we failed to
educate and uplift and exalt.
Righteous America.
You speak of our America being
mirrored here in our canal zone activ.
tiles. can we'll believe and trust
that you find in the zone a reflex of
righteous America, which believes in
that liberty for others which we de-
mand for ourselves, and that you can
catch that spirit of ample Justice and
fair dealing which indexes the best
human friendship.
Il need not assure you anew OF the
friendship or our United States for
your republic. We are deeply inter
ested in the development of your good
fortune More, we want our proven
friendship for you to add to the conf
dence of all America. North. Central
and South, in our people and govern
ment We crave friendly relations,
and we wish to promote them and
make them abiding. We want spirit
of fraternal Americanism which befits
the American continent, not in selfish
ness, not in rivalry of the old world
but in mutually of interest and help
fulness to one another.
Indeed. l make speak for our re-
public We choose peace and amity
with all just peoples and we crave for
all of Americas that happy relation
ship, and cordial friendship and good
will which you have uttered tonight,
and which | can SO sincerely recipro-
cate and pledge to you and to your
people