The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1920-11-26
HARDING SPEECH
WINS APPROVAL
FROM PANAMANS
Speaks at Banquet President
of Panama Tenders in His
Honor-PraiSes ISthmuS
Republic.
lRx the Associated Press. }

(By the Associated Press.)
ANCON, C. T., Nov. Ex-senator
Harding devoted today, the last of
his short visit at the Pacific terminus
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 q mo-
tor boat ride. Late this afternoon ne
will leave by train for Cristobal
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 a practical study OF
problems which will confront MN
after he becomes chief executive OF
the United States.
Not the least of these problems are
the relations the new administrator
will maintain with the republic OF
Panama, with the president OF whlcn
he exchanged assurances of good VIII
at the banquet given in his honor by
President Porras last night.
The question of a proper military
force for the Canal Zone also has en-
gagged his active attention. and ne
will be particularly interested in plans
of the war department to increase
that force to full division. Senator
Harding today had luncheon with
Brig. Gen. Kennedy, commander or
troops in the Canal Zone. and had
long talk with that officer. During
his motor ride he inspected the forts
off the Pacific end of the great wa
terway.
Address Pleases. y
Senator Hardings address at last
nights banquet created a most favor
able impfession, judging from COM
nents heard after it was completed.
'tThe cordially of your greetings
and the fine spirit of your good
wishes stir me deeply" he said, rae
ing President ,Porras. 1T is flne
thing for one republic to be so re-
assured of the abiding confidence and
friendship of a sister republic. am
wholly conscious l am here as a
private citizen, though L am not per-
mitted to forget, However much
may wish it, that I, am to come to
great responsibility at no very dis
tant day. Is it for that you honor
me as you do? Believing that is the
reason, I can not believe it unbecom-
ing to accept, because more cordial
relations between peoples and riveted
ties of friendship among nations is
the call for theF great heart OF hu-
man kind.
Moreover though bent on this
hurried trip mainly for recreation.
would be insensible to the obligations
of citizenship If l were Indifferent
to the great sponsorship of my coun-
try. This is O most attractive land
and would be deaf to the call of
duty as a public servant in the SEN
ate if | did not seek fuller under
standing of the developing obllga-
tions of our civilization as reflected
here and al INTO add to the friendly
understanding which becomes our two
republics in their exceptional lntl-
macy here.
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
transportation.
''Your freedom and your genius and
resources combined to link the oceans
and the day will come when the com
merce of the woric VIII stage its
SURPRISING pageant here. One can
not escape the inspirations and the
impelling influences of commerce and
trade. The adventurous navigators
and discoveries came hitherto and
revealed a Western continent to the
old world, but they came because they
were inspired by trade. Trade has
rlade peoples eminent throughout all
tine and this fact is no less true to-
day than in the past.
an your own republic you are as
plrng to enhance your trade. The
supreme problem is to further this
essential trade, hold it everlastingly
righteous and not forget the finer
human accomplishments which are
essential to spiritual as well as ma
terial upbuildng. 1t would be folly
to produce and exchange If We failed
to educate and uplift and exalt.
"You spoke of our America being
mirrored here in our Canal Zone
activities. l can well believe and
trust that you find in the zone re-
flex of righteous America which
believes ip that liberty for others
which we demand for ourselves and
that you catch that spirit Of ample
justice and fair dealing which in
dexes the best human relationship.
~ need not assure you anew of the
friendship of 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 confidence of all America. North.
central anu Soull' III our peopie anu
our government We crave friendly
relations and we wish to promote
them and make them abiding. We
want spirit of fraternal American
ism, which befits the American con-
tinent, not in selfishness, not in riv
airy of the old world, but in a mu-
tuality of interest and helpfulness to
one another
Indeed. l may speak for our re-
public. We chose peace and amity
with all just peoples and we crave
for all of the Americas that happy
relationship and cordial friendship
and good will which you have uttered
tonight and which I can so sincerely
reciprocate and pledge to you and to
your peoples"