The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1921-05-20
AMBASSADOR SAYS UNITED
STATES FOUGHT ONLY TO
SAVE ITSELF.
Delivers Address
To Pilgrim Society
American Forces Did Not Go Over
sea. to Save European States, As
Some Have ConteIded, He Says
In Speeeh.-covers Much Ground


T., Snee&h.-Covers Much Ground
London, May 19.-The American
ambassador, George Harvey, in his
speech at the Pilgrims dinner this
evening, announced that he had just
received instructions designating him
to represent the president in the su-
preme council with regard to Sllesla'
London, May 19.-The American
ambassador, George Harvey, in his
first speech since presenting his Gre
dentials, declared tonight that Amer
lean armed forces came to Europe in
the world war solely to save the
United States and not to save Euro
pean states opposed to Germany, as
some had contended.
Mr.. Harvey's address, which was
delivered at dinner given by the
Pilgrims society in his honor, at
tracted special interest, coming as it
did at a time when the probable at
titude of the United States towards
the tense political situation in Europe
is arousing lively speculation and as
the first authorized expression of the
American viewpoint.
Mr.. Harvey paid tribute to the Pill
grims as the most distinctive link in
the chain of blood relations between
the British and American peoples and
one of the most potent agencies Of
civilization. Their activities, he said
had been a sustained labor of love
and patriotism, which only now were
beginning to fruit in an earn
est desire and determination on the
part of both people to blow away the
mists of misconstruction and misun-
derstanding, which far too long had
hidden their true natures one from
another.
Praise for Harding.
The outstanding attributes Of Pres
ident Harding, Mr.. Harvey said, are
breadth of vision, greatness of heart
fidelity to his race, no less than to
his clan, and no more to his family
than to his ancestry, drawn from all
parts of the United Kingdom. Mr..
Harvey declared these were sufficient
indications and reasons why Mr..
Harding felt in the very fibre of his
being at this crucial period that
friendliness and good will should ex-
ist always between peoples of the
great English speaking nations and
which he now pledges unfaltering CO.
operation in achieving that aspira-
ton.
Nothing could be more futile, more
delusive and more mischievous, he
said, than to pretend that the Ameri-
cans proffer of helping hand was
attributable primarily to "a tender
susceptibility
'It is not" Mr.. Harvey declared.
my country stands ready to work
with yours because, first, it is to our
own interest to do so, and, secondly
because it is to the advantage of
both. -.
e'We deceive ourselves occasional
ly. Even:to this day at rare intervals
an ebullient sophomore seeks ap-
plause by shouting that we won the
war" Far more prevalent until re-
Gently was the impression that we
went to war to rescue humanity from
all kinds of menacing perils.
"Not a few remain convinced that
we sent our young soldiers across
to save this kingdom, France and
Italy. That is not a fact. We sent
them solely to save the United States
of America and most reluctantly and
laggardly at that.
"We were not too proud to fight,
whatever that may mean. We were
not afraid not to fight. That is the
real truth of the matter. So we