The New York herald., 1921-04-29
SAILORS CHEER AS
HARDING DECLARES
FOR RIGHTS OF us.
Seek Nothing but Our Own,
and by the Eternal Well
Have It. He Says.
REVIEWS GREAT FLEET
Officers and Men Thrilled
by Speech From Rostrum
on Gun TurIet.
PEACE ONLY WITH HONOR
President Praises First Line Of
Defence and Tells Of Con-
fidence 1t Inspires.
PEACE ONLY WITH HONOR

special Despatch to THE NEW YORK HERALD
NORFOLK, Va, April 2S.-The
United States does not want thing
on earth that does not rightfully be-
long to it--no territory, no payment
Of tribute-but we do want that
which is righteously ours, and by the
eternal we mean to have it"
SO spoke the President Of the United
States to an audience, and from a
rostrum such as even Presidents
rarely command, for he addressed 1000
officers Of the Atlantic fleet from the
base Of the after gun turret Of the
superdreadnough Pennsylvania, and
the canopy over his head was formed
by three upslanting IA inch guns that
could sink running foe at twelve
miles
1t was an unforgettable scene In
historic waters. for in the President
sight was old Fort Monroe, and
the guns OF the Pennsylvania could
have dropped q shell upon the spot
where the Monitor duelled with the
Merrimac and crushed the naval
hopes OF the Confederacy. All around
in Hampton Roads, ruffied by keen
and unfriendly east wind, leaden and
dismal in forming mist, lay the tall,
aoE, chi af hn
sentinelled by the lean destroyers and
the lazy. wicked submarines.
Greeting Brings Great Cheer.
The feet review-an hour long parade
under the Presidents kindling eye-of
the sea power OF the Republic in
Atlantic waters had just been finished
and the President, yet thrilling with
the beauty and majesty of the spec
tacle. had brought with him to tho
flagship inspiration for the steady.
simple greeting 70 the navy that the
navy burned to hear
With head barred the President faced
the officers of eleven battleships and
eighteen destroyers OF the fleet, up
ward OF 1000 men of the type IL
warmed his heart 10 look upon. :.
great cheer went up from the sailors
and officers.
Gentlemen Of the navy" he said, u
have no thought in mind except 2
word of greeting. ] am very happy
to-day 10 see a demonstration Of q
portion OF the naval forces Of the
Republic. | am especially happy to
come to speak to you in the interests
OF America and OF those who stand
for its naval defence"
He paused for a moment, his eyes
twinkling with humor then resumed:
1T embarrasses me to talk to you
before Admiral Wilson. for have done
to-day precisely as you have done
followed his orders.
II want to tell you men who serve
how deeply interested and thoroughly
confident America is in you. ] can say
with all the sincerity Of my heart that
America never will ask anything Of
you that is not in perfect accord with
the best conscience of the freest peo-
pie on earth. But when we do ask we
will expect OF you the best defence
that human beings can give.
NO Peace without Honor.
You live and breathe the spirit OF this
Republic. and ! want to say this TO you.
that the United States does not want a
thing on earth that does not rightfully
belong to it--no territory, no payment OF
tribute. But we do want that which is
righteously our own, and by the eternal.
we mean to have that
You OF the navy arc the first Of tho
defence. I wish you might never be COM
PEELED TO fire gun in war. III every
Government on earth was inpelied by
the same motives as are own. the world
would be at peace forever. starting from
this day But ! would not want peace
without honor. I would not want peace
without the consciousness that America
Is doing right and is protecting her citi-
zens.
"Onlcers OF the navy. I bid you make
ours the most efficient. conscientious and
effective navy In the service Of any coun-
try. and pledge you In return the con-
science and the confidence OF 10, 900. 900
people. ] want to Join with you in pro-
viding for our country righteous. Just
and unfailing defence. and to that every
American unfailingly subscribes."
As tho President. with smile and a
bow finished his address. navy cheers
Cout'nucd on Fifth Page.