Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1921-05-20
Speaks at Pilgrims Dinner

bers of the peerage and representa-
tives of the American colony.
Speaks at Pilgrims Dinner
London, May 13--(By The Associ-
ated pressl-The American ambas-
sador, George Harvey, in his first
speech since presenting his creden-
tails declared tonight that American
armed forces came to Europe in the
World war solely to save the United
States and not to save European
states opposed to Germany, as some
had commended.
His address, which was delivered
at dinner given by the Pilgrims
pecial interest coming as it did at a
time when the probable attitude of
the United States toward the tense
political situation in Europe, is
arousing lively speculation and as
the first authorized expression of the
American viewpoint.
In opening he paid tribute to the
Pilgrims as the most distinctive link
in the chain of blood relationship
between the British and American
peoples and one of the most potent
agencies of civilization. Their ac-
tivities, he said. had been a sustained
labor of love and patriotism. which
only now were beginning to furctify
in an earnest desire and determine
ton on the part of both peoples to
blow away the mists of misconstruc-
ton and misunderstanding which far
too long had hidden their true ma
lures, one from the other.
Inevitably, you to the east of us,
derive your information respecting
our public opinion from the great
cities on our Atlantic seaboard," he
said, precisely as our friends to the
west of us take theirs from the bor-
Ger states on the Pacific. differences
thus drawn may be right or wrong,
but whether right or wrong, their
bases obviously are the subject of
sectional and peculiar influences.
The heart of our republic lies in the
great plain which stretches from the
Alle2henies TO the Rockies, where
rests the dominant political power of
the nation"
1t was from the hardy stock of that
region he declared, that America had
drawn seven of it's recent chief exec
utives. including President Harding.
President Harding was portrayed by
the ambassador as "a typical modern
American, proud of his own country.
but Jealous of no other mans. reso-
lutte in maintaining his own nations
rights. but not less scrupulous in rec
ognizing the rights of others: a fair
just. modest man, humble, but un-
afraid"
The outstanding attributes of Pres
ident Harding, he 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 an
cestry, 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 exist always between the peo-
pies of the great English speaking ma
tons and why he now pledges unfal-
tering cooperation in achieving that
aspiration.
II shall fail miserabIy, to the griev-
ous disappointment of my chief" he
said. IF | do not greatly strengthen
those bonds of friendship and mutual
helpfulness that hereafter our gov
ernments will not only prefer durable
engagements to tentative compf omises
as between ourselves, but will instinc-
lively approach all world problems
from the same angle as of common in
separable concern"
Il rejoice he said. that the king
and the president see eye to eye. and
sense the yearnings of the peoples to
whose service their lives have proudly
been dedicated.
Il came to the court of 81. James
utterly destitute of the traditional
weapons of diplomay. but fully equip
ped with the same candor. frankness.
straight forwardness, sincerity and
consideration which have character
ICED to marked degree the utter
ances of all your chief officers of
state with whom / have thus far
come into contact.
Precisely as your ambassador went
to Washington as an unalloyed Briton,
] come to London as an unalioved
American,
Nothing could be more futile, more
delusive and more mischievous, he
said, than to pretend that the Amer
leans "proffer of a helping hand was
attributable primarily to "a tender
susceptibility"
ut is not" he said, my country
stands ready to work with yours,
because, first, it is to our own inter
est to do so; and, secondly, because
it is to the advantage of both. We
do not resent being called idealists,
even as sometimes happens by those
whose anticipated reward for extolI-
ing our altruism is transparently
material. But we have come to
realize in the past few years that
ideals too often resolve into illusion
and illusions we have found to be
both dangerous and profitless.
I'VE deceive ourselves occasion
ally. Even to this day at rare in
tervals an ebullient sophomore
seeks applause by shouting that We
won the war Far more prevalent
until recently was the impression
that we went to war to rescue hu-
mainly from all kinds OF menacing
perils.
mot . few remain convinced that