Norwich bulletin., 1921-04-29

On Board U. s s. Pennsylvania, Hamp- ton Roads, a.. April 2S.-(By the A. P. D- America wants only that which is right eously her own and by the ..ernai. Ne mean to have that" President Harding declared today in an address to the of- ficers of the Atlantic fleet who gathered about him on the flagship Pennsylvania after he mad reviewed the powerful ar mada which returned this morning from battle practice in souther nwaters.
 The declaration of the new command er-in1chief of the army and navy brought ringing cheers from the thousand prong ed officers and the wall of blue clad en- listed men who formed a background against the guard rails.
 The president had for his platform A spot directly beneath the muzzles of the three l4-inch rifles in the super-dread- naught's after turret. His was a mes sage of peace. delivered from almost the same spot where President Wilson made his much discussed war address to the Atlantic fleet at nearby Yorktown soon after the United States entered the world war.
 Declaring that it was his wish that the navy might never again fire a gun in war. Mir. Harding told the officers that he believed if all the nations were im- pelled by the same motives as actuated the United States this world would be at peace forever, starting from today"
 But I would not want a peace with out honor" he said. ''I would not want peace without the consciousness that America was doing right and protecting it's citizenship in the most effective way
 When he boarded the Pennsylvania to return the call of Admiral Henry E. Wilson. the fleet commander. and receive Nt, -F st- - fend the Atlantic coast, the president had not expected to deliver an address. 1t was persuaded, howeved, by the enthus- iasm of the officers to address them in- formally.
 ''I am especially happy to come and speak to you of America and those who stand for it's naval defense" he said. Tt embarra sses me to speak as your commander-in-chief. l have been doing today just as you men have been doing. following Admiral Wilson's commands l want 10 tell you men how deeply inte- | rested and thoughly confident America is in you. have no thought in my mind except that l can say with al sincerity of my heart that America vii! never ask 1 anything of you not in perfect accord with the best conscience of the freest people on earth but when we do ask. we will expect of you. the best defense that human being can give.
 T am very confident that you live and breathe the spirit of this repYbiic- The United States of America does not want anything on earth that does not belong 10 it it does not want anything that is not rightfully our own. ne territory. no pay ment. no tribute. We do want. that which ' is riteously our oTh. and by ta4 ete=n- ! al. we will have that.
 You of the navy are the first line of defense. wish you might never be com pelled to fire a gun in war. and believe if all the government son earth were in- pelTed by the same motives as oIr own this world would be at peace, forever. starting from today.
 "lMi l would not want peace without honor-I would not want peace without consciousness that America was doing right and protecting her citizenship in her most effective way.
 officers of the navy. I bid you make ours the most efficient. conscientious and effective navy in the world and I peldse you in return the conscience of IIo.oo0.. 900 citizens. I want to join with you in providing for our country a righteous just and unfailinE. defense and to that program every patriotic American unfaii- ingly subscribes."