The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1921-05-25
HARVEY SPEAKS
T0ENCLAND
Harding's Personal Am
bassador Assumes the
Authority to Speak
For All of the
American
People

< London, May 19.-The American
ambassador, George Harvey, in his
first speech since presenting his ere
dentials, declared tonight that Amer
ican armed forces came to Europe in
the world war solely to serve the
United States and not to save Eu-
ropean states opposed to Germany,
as some had contended.
Mr.. Haryey's address, which was
delivered at a dinner given by the
Pilgrims Society in his honor, at
tracted especial interest, coming as
Sit did at time when the probable
attitude of the United States toward
the tense political situation IN Eu-
rope is arousing lively speculation,
and as the first authorized expression
of the American viewpoint.
Mr.. Harvey paid tribute to the Pill
grirns as the most distinctive link in
the chain OF blood relationship be-
tween the British and American peo-
pies and one of the most potent agen-
scies of civilization. Their activities,
s he said, had been sustained labor
of love and patriotism, which only
now We're beginning to fructify IN an
earnest desire and determination on
the part of both peoples to blow away
the nists of miscostructlon and mis-
understanding. which far too long
had hidden their true natures, one
from the other.
The. outstanding attributes Of Pres
ident Harding, Mr.. Harvey said, are
breadth Of vision, greatness of heart
fidelity to his race no less than TO
his elan, and no more to his family
than to his ancestry, drawn from all
parts of the United Kingdom. Mr.
Harvey declared these were sufficient
indications and reasons why MIR.
Harding felt in. the very fiber of his
being at this crucial period that
friendliness and good will should al
pYays exist between the peoples of the
great English speaking nations and
why he nov pledges rnfasterfng coz
Z operation in achieving that saspira-
ton
Nothing could be more futile, more
dsiusive and more mischievous, he
saidr, than to pretend that the Amer
leans proffer of a helping hand was
attribute bic primarily to tender
susceptibility
IF is not" Mr.. Harvey declared.
My country stands ready to work
with yours, because, first. it is to our
own interest TO do so; and secondly
because it is to the advantage OF
both.
1--WE deceive ourselves occasionally.
Even to this day at rare intervals 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 humanity from all kinds OF
tnekacing per;ls.
Not few remain convinced that
we sent our young soldiers across to
save this kingdom. France and Italy
That is not a fact. We sent them
solely to save the United States OF
America, and most reluctantly and
laggardly at that.
I'VE were no1 too proud to fight.
whatever that may mean. We We're
afraid not TO fight. That is the real
truth Of the matter. SO we came
along toward the end and helped you
and your allies shorten the war. That
is all we did and that is all we
claim to have done"
Discussing what he called the. sen
timsnt. Of the perilous present. AM
bassador Harvey said:
For years I have heard it pro-
claimed that war between Great Brit
ain and America had ceased to be
conceiva bic. =. No resumption OF
an armed conflict is uninlaSinable.
Any day may witness a renewal Of
the War of the Roses. any day the
swamps of Virginia.
But so unlikely are such happen
ings that the suggestion, even though
it incredibly were made, would evoke
no more than derisive smile. But
it is one thing to stamp constantly
upon an absurd notion, and another
thing never TO think of it at all.
Nov the question rises. have not
our countries reached a point with
respect TO the remotest possibility Of
O. conflict that justifies our forget
: l3US DIS SOiilpItlSiS tIie DdtIlt'
of Bosworth field and Appomatox
have faded from our recollection?
Such. I am happy to report faith
fully in the teeth of all the mischief
makers and Scandalmongers of both
nations, has become the settled con-
viction of our people. and hope. and
doubt not, of yours.
Because the president has eXem-
plified his avowal of obligation. it
must not be inferred that he proposes
to become an international meddler.
continued the ambassador. He
would be the last to intervene or be
drawn into any matter of no concern
to his own country. but also no one
realizes more clearly than he that the
United States is Of necessity deeply
interested in proper economic adjust
ments and the just settlement of mat
ters of worldwide importance under
discussion and desires helpfully to
cooperate.
s.There still seems to linser in the
minds of many here the impression
that in some way or other. by hook