Polk County news. [volume] (Benton, Tenn.) 191?-1983, 1921-05-05
HARDING SAYS U.S..
is FIRM FOR RIGHT
GAYS U. S. SEEKS NO TERRITORY,
NO PAYMENT AND
NO TRIBUTE
RECEIVES NAVAL RONORS
More Than Sixty Ships Of War, Led
By The Flagship, Pay Honors To
President Harding

States seeks no territory, no payment
and no tribute, President Harding re
Gently told the officers of the Atlantic
fleet on the quarterback of the nag
ship pennsylvania here. but, he said
this country seeks that what Is right
eously it's own and by the eternals
we mean to have it,"
"Or,icers of the navy, | bid you
make our the most efficient, consclcn-
tiogs and effective navy in the world,
the president said, land | pledge you
in return the conscience and conf
dence of 100000 people" e..
old Point Comfort, Fa.-The Allan
tic fleet. bringing back a new record
OF accomplishment from its southern
drilling gounds, passed in ceremonial
renew before President Harding re-
conil-. as it entered home waters in
Hampton Roads.
More than sixty ships of war, led
by the flagship Pennsylvania, were
in the long column that filed by to
nav a commander in chiefs honors
TO the president as he stood with his
secretary of the navy and a party
of officials on the bridge of his yacht
the Mayflower.
A low cloud curtain SCREENED the
sunlight from the pageant, softenlns
the grim line of deck and turret
but adding harmonious hint OF near
dusk to the somber picture. For the
fleet was not in gala dress; 1t wore
the serious grey now used Tor the
first time in peace and war alike, and
tho decks were cleared almost as Tor
action, a precaUtion always taken at
sea.
Il was a few minutes past O'CLOCK
when the Pennsylvania, passing the
reviewing ship, opened up the thun
der Of her presidential salute, ano
before the twenty-one guns had been
spent the next ship in line TOOK VI
the firing while the Mayflowers lit
tie batteries were speaking IN &C
Acknowledgement. The cannonading con
timed in an almost un5roken roar
until the review was over.
From each vessel the president also
received all the other naval honorS
that can be paid to the highest oftl
Ger Of the army and navy. On the
battieships man the rail- was the
order. The life rails all the way rount
the ships were~lNing walls Of blae
On the quarterback of each OF the
eleven battleships the marine guart
snanped to present arms opposite
the Nayflower, and the bands played
the opening bars of the Star Spangle(
Banner" In return the presidential
Yacht paid the proper honors TO the
senior officer on each passing snip
firing a salute, however, only TO the
Pennsylvania.
It was Mr.. Harding's first review
of any part of the nations sea power
since he assumed office and 1t was
the navys first opportunity to salute
him. From the proud flagship Penn
sylvania down to the humble bee
boats and from admiral down u
blueiacket, ships and men were sleel
and alert for the occasion.
Before the fleet had entered the
Virginia Canes, the Mayflower, which
came down from Washington recent.
with President and Mrs. Harding ant
their party, was at anchor off Thimblt
Light. Nearby was the naval zach
Svjph on which Secretary DENLY ant
members of the house committee came
to Hampton Roads, while private
yachts, excursion boats and ferrle
clustered around the reviewing party
The Pennsylvania did not fly tn
four.starred flag of Admiral Wilson
commander-in-chief of the Atlantic
fleet naval forces. In its place ther'
fluttered from the flagships main tn
blue and white flag of Assistant Sec
tarv of the Navy Roosevelt who mad
the cruise from Guantanamo WIN III
fleet, and was on the flagship's Drlus
when she passed the Mayflower'