The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-11-26
EXCHANGE PLEDGES . OF FRIENDSHIP OF
 J. s. AND PANAMA
Great Love Feast Held to Cement Comity Between Two Nations Is Held
 Last Night
By Associated Pres.

pledge or enduring brotherhood and o-operation between Panama and the United States was pronounced here to- night by President Pc>ras. of the Panaman republic. and Warren G. Harding, presidcnt-elect of the United States.
 Speaking at banquet given him in honor of Mir Harding, Senor Porras de- clared it was the wish of the Amer ican nations that the United States should continue as the Polar star of our American continent, lighting the way for other peoples that they may follow in the paths of liberty and in- dependence"
 In reply, MT Harding voiced warm reciprocation of these expressions of friendship. and declared that 1t was one of his fondest hopes to see the Americas-North Central and South united in the purpose of living peace fully and in operation.
 As in all the other exchanges of Crurtesies during his vacation trip here, MT. Harding made it clear that he spoke only as a private citizen His carefully chosen words and his earnest demeanor. however were taken by his auditors as plainly Indicating his deep realization Of the responsibilities that will he inevitable in guiding Pan-Amer- ican rela tions in the coming four years
 The American officials of the Canal zone and most of the high authority in the Panama republic were presen. at the banquet. which was in the nature of a love feast to cement the comity between the nation operating the great fsthnian waterway and the na- ton whose territory it pierces.
 After the banquet Mir. Harding held public reception in the Union club, where the dinner was held, and shook hands with hundreds of Panamans. Though he made no reference ip his speech at the banquet to specific diplo matic policies. the president elect had before him. as he spoke, detailed in- formation gathered during his visit on many subjects affecting the canal en- gagement and relations with Panama.
 PROTEST LAND POLICY
 Among the data vas a memorial addressed tc him by citizens of Coles protesting against the present Amer ican land policy along the Canal zono boundaries, and declaring that the United States is trying to enlarge her territorial holdings and sphere of in- fluence in Central America by un-
 
 compared the alleged methods with those ~-employed by the Washington government in Haiti and Santo Dom ingo and asserted that Panama's soy ereignty was being crushed little by little
 Another problem to which Mr Hard : ire has given thoughtful attention is the question of the enforcement of pro hibition in the Canal Zone. The task of preventing intoxicants from enter Ing the Canal Zone through Panama and Colon. both of which lie on the boundary lines, has been found very difficult. and movement of consider able proportions is under way among some of the Panama officials to make the two cities dry territory.
 The coal shortage at the canal which IS threatening commercial activities. is stfil another topic In which MT. Hard- Ing has taken an active interest. Nor mas he overlooked in hIs conference with the zone officials the question or the adequacy of the present fortifi- cations of the canal
 Aside from the banquet and recep- tion tonight there was no note of iormality in MT. Harding's Thanksgiy- ing Day. He took a motor ride and played game of golf, but most of the lime he spent in resting at the home or Goyernor Harding, of the Canal zone who is his host during the two day visit to the Pacific coast
 Tn proposing toast to President elect Harding at tonight's banduet Iresioent Porras warmly praised the aoilties and personal qualities of the guest or honor. who. he said. was as popular In Panama as in his own coun. try. President Porras referred to th, canal as the common property of two nations, dug, as it were, through the heart of our country"
 NO country in the world is mora iaVorably situated than is Panama for the fuii application for Panama of your ooc'rine or seif-determinatlon. Fo. your sake and Tor our own, we wish snae you continue to be like the polat star of the American continent.p