Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1921-05-31
Declares Country Will Meet
Every Demand of Civil
zation
SPEAKS AT ARLINGTON
Geddes Presents Wreath
In Behalf of British Empire--Gen.
Miles Leads Parade.

Washington, May 3l.-The rstions!
capitals memorial ceremonies for
American war dead were col9rsd bT
new touch Cd international s:gn:-
Ejcance yesterday al services held in
Arlington Cemetery under the lead
of President Harding.
Speaking in the Arlington amphi-
theatre to veterans of three wars and
to distinguished company CT Of
ficials and diplomatists, the Presl-
dent reded!cated the nation TO the
cause of freedom and civilization, and
promised that it never would fail tc
measure up to every demand present
sil to it in behalf of civilization. BY
striking across the sea IN the World
War, he declared, America had sane
titled again her faith in free Nnstitu-
t;ons for peoples everywhere.
wherever men are free" said the
President. they are wont to give
thought to cur countryis services III
freedcm's course. Today the sens ana
daughters of others lands are p.ac-
ing with loving hands their laurels
on American graves. Our Memoraat
Day is become an international oc-
cas;on"
To do our fuli part in helping sta'oi-
:.tze the world, to restrain ambition
for empires still rife and to prevent.
the disaster to civilization that would
flow from denial Of the esua!ity Of
sovereign states or persons---to. aid IN
accomplishing these purpose, the
President said, is ] heritage Of re-
.spons:bility from the sacrifices OF
those who gave their lives for the
ration that we cannot eyade, i we
would.
"The world is locking. to Us for
leadership and it will not lock IN vain,
for mankind is fallen on times when
there is no hope for it if some COM.
mun;ties seek isolation while others
indulge unrestrained ambition for en-
pires," Mr.. Harding said.
While rejecting the doctrine Of IS
slation of the extreme "irr-conch-
ables." the President would shun the
other extreme which would have land
Ell the United States in the League
of Nations
81 am not counseling surrendered
independence" he said. Our NAM
tanned freedom is the source Of our
might. Only the American conscience
NAV command this republic
The ?. .eSident made it clear tat ne
would fave the United States 9at..:cl-
pate in the peace undertaking OF
world sta3ilization as it pa,tie. .patcd
n the undertaking Of war.-without
any hard ami fast alliance. but n
untrammeled association win the
other great powers.
To accomplish this mission effec-
lively we must attend to the needs
of America first and make ourselves
strong, firm, secure.
Il counsel no selfishness, nc little
Americanism, no mere parochahsnl,
said the President, when urge that
our first duty is to our own, ard that
in the measure of its performance
we will find the true gauge of our
capacity to he helpful to others "
At the conclusion Of the address,
Sir Auckland Gcddes. the British Am
bassador, seconded the sentiment by
placing on the American flag beside
tie president wreath of roses pre-
seated by the people of the United
Kingdom and hr dominions "in un-
dimmed memory Of the sacrifices that
American as HidaS iol iEats'r'o- -.
erty."
In special references TO the World
War, President Harding. declared
America had opened the door TO free
institutions even in the countries
against which she fought, and had
given opportunity "of planting demo-
cacies where absolutism had held
sway, for making the people su-
preme,"
He added that the troubled stat
cf conditions abroad still made il
doubtful whether the van'qu:shed peo-
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