Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1921-11-05
The Changed Harvey

= EFORE Ambassador George Harvey got
- fully broke in" to diplomatic harness
he made some indiscreet utterances which
brought upon him the fire of much bitter
criticism in this country. However, the
confidence of the President in his fitness
for the most important ambassadorial posi-
ZION at his disposal apparently remained un-
shaken by this criticism. In subsequent
"'teFahces' the ambassador has not only
avoided lndiscretions, but has displayed real
diplomatic astutenes In rejecting the views
of the administration by frankly informative
statements so choicely phrased as TO serve
the: purpose without exciting apprehension
as TO u possible hidden meaning.
Truth of the matter is Ambassador Har-
vey Is not only an able man, but a scholarly
one. He is intensely patriotic, and in his
devotion to American ideals, as he con-
ceiveS their meaning he is 100 per cent
pure. To these qualities may be added the
characteristic, not so we'll developed in
many men actively identified with p%oliticaI
ahalrs, OF being perfectly frank in tho ex-
preston OF opinion, without fear of the
possible resultant effect upon his own per-
sonal fortunes.
iiehce' II Is no surprise that in his ad-
dress before the Liverpool Cha1ber of
commerce he took advantage of the occa-
sion 10 dlspel some illusions in the British
nlind as to a possible change of far-reach-
iEg Importance in American foreign policy
laRing as his text the recent spcecb NJ
Lord Derby, in which the belief was e,-
pressed not only that a definite nIlianco
between France. Great Britain and America
was desirable, but that America would
shortly be willing to Join such an agree
hient, Ambassador Harvey frankly charnc-
ter1zed this hope as futile" The foreipn
poiicy OIL the United States, he said. was
naeu by George Washington when he adj
,ne' america TO avoid entanGling alliances.
Principle mas been reafirmed by
practically all his SUCCESSORS" he decIa rad
1T was reiterated with great po-sitiveness
Ill our latest national campaign nv orr
present President and confirmed nv n ma
)orlty of the people"
There can be no question that in This
statement he reflected the unmistakable at
tltude of the administration he ranrosan,.
lie spoke by the card. Not only thai but
ne rejected the mind OF the American neo-
PIE Ihat purpose was made clear bv tho
result or the national referendum last ya,r
"hich 10 some extent involved a deDarturo
rum thls principle. America is wjllIno IN
iurther any intelligent movement which will
prevent luture wars, To remove Incentives
'"cleto' the forthcoming arms Limitation
conference. with its broad agenda OF issuos
10 he discussed whose removal from tho
realm or controversy would be 81 signal
a'h'eveheht In that direction. was called Inv
" PRESIDENT. II that meeting desires To
AVOID futile effort. the delegations which
compose II will do we'll to free their minds
ut inc outset that America has any intcn-
,"h' however seeming the good. of aban-
'o'hg lis traditional policy of scrupulous1v
",otoihg cntangling foreign alliances. rho
administration is to be commended for c.rv-
ing 'hls notice, and Ambassador Harvey for
F" "ole display Of diplomatic skill in
"hich he voiced that purpose.