Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1921-03-04

Washington, D. c., March 4.-War.
ren G. Harding was inaugwated as
President of the United States today
in record time.
The inaugural ceremonies were the
shortest in history, and but few inau-
gurals have been more simple.
Unwilling to believe advance notices
If the simplicity of the proceedings.
huge ti,rcngs began to crowd the
streets this morning, only to be disap-
pointed.
The carnival spirit of other years
was entirely lacking-even the streets
were urdecorated except fer the flags
which merchants displayed from their
business places along Pennsylvania
avenue and the decorations that some
If the old+trne residents flung from
heir windows.
Solemnly mindful of the great re
sponsib.lit:es that viii be his for the
next four years, and expressing 4
prayer for Divine guidance in the. Sc
luton Of the momentous problems fac
,ng him, President Harding took rtht
oath of office shortly after noon.
Before a great standing crowd CT
thousands, which completely filled tha
bread plaza and eddied for blocks
around the Capitol itself, the rev
President accepted the supreme gil;
Of the Republic in short inaugura.
address-an address in which ne dN'
not attempt to outline in other thar
general terms the program CT inter
national ard domestic policies to be
followed ny his Administration.
"For my part" he said simply, 9!
accept with single mindedness Of pur-
,soe, and humility of spirit, and i'm.
o.ore the favor and guidance of Cos
n His Heaven. With these l am un-
afraid and confidently face the fu.
.ure."
The new President pledged an Ad-
ll!nistration that will stand foursqlare
on the principles Of the Republic as
aid down by its founders; he prom!s-
ID his Administration will work un.
.easingiy fer the furtherance Of Ame-
:.:ca's greatness in world affairs, anc
COR the expansion of her commerce an
:nfluence-aA without dev:at;ng from
Washirgton's policy of "no entangIn!
alliances" with foreign powers.
The supreme task facing the new
Administration, President Har.lin2
said, is the resumption "of our onward
normal way-reconstructioh, readjust-
ment, restoration" To the Fastening
If these he pledged himself. But ne
warmed at the same time that there j
no instant step from disorder to or
Ter, that the recovery from war mus;
oe natural and unimpeded by any
wild experiments"
The LeAgue of Nations, paramount;
:ssue Of the campaign, was not men
toned specifically by the new res;
ient, bnt concerning the foreign po:
icy of his Administration he had th:.
70 say:
"We seek no part in directing th'
destinies of the old world. We do no
mean TO I've entangled. America Ca
oe a party to no permanent milEar!
alliance. II can enter into no pciltlca
commitments, nor assume any econo
mic obligations which will subJec
OUT decisions 10 any other than on
own authority. A world super-govern
ment is contrary to everything w
! cherish and can have no sanction b,
our Republic"
President Harding indicated plain
ly that his Administration will turn
cold shoulder to these who seek {
have America cancel the ten billion
of debts owed her by European ma
tiobs. Without mentioning the allie
| ;nda:,tnslnass Snnnificallv- he said: