The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-12-05
U. s. TREATMENT IN
 MARITIME TRADE IS HARDING s PICTURE
Asks for Government Aided Merchant Marine and for Navy Fit for First Line of
 Defense for America
By Associated Press


 Norfolk, Va, December 4-An America pre-sminent in maritime commerce, cul- tivating friendly relations but jealousy determined to defend it's rights, was pie tured to the world by President-clect Harding today as he ended his vacation and turned soberly to the task of formu- lating the policies of his administration. In half dozen short public speeches, incident to 3. welcome home in the ship ping centers of Hampton Roads, he asked for government-aided merchant marine that would make America the greatest maritime nation on the face ot the earth, and for navy fit to be the first line Of defense for people ever lastingly determined to defend it's com merce and it's rights"
 He also spoke word for an interna- tional peace understanding that should not sacrifice American nationality, and took note of his presence in the south by forecasting national unity tha; would have the people of the old Con federacy understand that that's only s memory"
 The programme of entertainment anI speechmaking arranged by Norfolk and Newport News to celebrate the home coming of the President-elect and Mrs
  days of their experience.
 CONTINUALLY ON MOVl, From the moment they stepped ashore ill the morning from the steamer Pas torres, which had brought them hack from the canal zone, they were kept on the move continually until late at night, when they left by special train for Bed ford, Va, where MT. Harding speaks to- morrow In addition to numerous public
 
 the shipyard at Newport News, the Nor folk naval base and army base and the lnavy yard at Portsmouth and reviewed i special drill Of 1000 bluejackets at the naval training station
 It was in short talk to the blue Jackets that MT. Harding voiced his be- lief in adequate naval preparedness and in nation 'everlastingiy determined to Lrotect American interests. At the same time however. he expressed to the men a hope that they never would have to fire a gun for their country.
 His stand for d pre-eminent merchant marine was expressed in a speech at the Newport News Academy of Music ana again late in the afternoon to crowd of thousands in the Norfolk Tabernacle. Stress also was laid on the nation s com- mercial expansion and the opportunities of Hampton Roads in an address at a QlNneT tOHiSHt BiFci III HOhoi DJ t'~ Norfolk chamber of commerce. In his speech at the Tabernacle Mir. Harding also emphasized the anxiliar / military importance of strong mel chant marine, and charged that the chief opponents of an American ship subsidiary in pre-war days were tke agents of Ger man steamship lines.
 The Senator and Mrs. Harding. absent from continental United States since Mo- vember IS, came ashore at Newport News at l0SD o'clock this morning after d triumphal greeting by naval and com mercial craft at anchor in the Roads. Ashore they were received with similar acclaim, crowds cheering them as they passed about and city officials extending them all the courtesies that could De shown an actual President and the first lady of the land.
 The ranking naval and military off cials of the shore stations escorted them through the day and the destroyer Branch was turned over for their use in the inspection trip about the Roads.
 As they motored through the navy yard just at dusk. many thousands of blue jackets were standing at retreat on the decks of their ships. and they remained at attention until the President-eiect had passed.
 HEART IS WARMED
 In his talk at the training station Mir. Harding declared his heart seldom had been so warmed as by the privilege of re- viewing such body of young American manhood. etH Sse q have felt just little special rs-
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