The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1921-03-04
THE INAUGURAL ADDRESS

President Harding inaugural address will be
read with great interest by millions a possible
index to the course which the new administration
will pursue with regard 10 the many important
questions confronting The country.
1t is not as instructive it. might be. MIR.
Harding Is developing a true presidential affinity
for shining platitudes Most of his address, meas
ured by volume, is made up Of propositions to
which everybody assents but which lead 10 no
new conclusions.
There arc few places, however, where this
super-stratum is thin enough 10 permit glimpse
of what lies underneath I'VE gather, therefore.
that Mn Harding is in favor Of protective tariff
to conserve the homo markets, that he is look
ing forward 10 return 10 Industrial 'normalcy,
that he will not wfully interfere with the purpose
Of the central reserve board to debate our
rency, and that he is prepared 10 defend The
try against either instruction or invasion.
Though these points are reasonably nlerablc
from his remarks, it Is not clear how he stands on
the question of ornaments whether he IS for uni
versal training. the biggest navy in the world, a
strong" policy with Japan, or other similar
problems of immediate concern.
On the most important question of all, that of
the League of Nations, he IS definite, in sort
of vague way, leaving much to the Imagination.
We are willing TO associate with the other ma
lions. he explains. for conference for counsel
for an exchange of views, to recommend a
way for approximate disarmament and the re-
Ahef of the crushing burdens Of military and naval
establishment I Q such an association we are
prepared to contribute suggestions of plans for
mediation, Cancellation and arbitration we
would be glad TO assist in the formation of
world court to which the nations could submit
sjjustciable' causes as they chose, and we are
ready to join other nations in expressing aspira-
tions. in seeking practicable plans in transIating
humanity's new concept Of righteousness justice
and its hatred of war into recommended actions.
But he adds the stipulation that every such com
nitment must be made in the exercise of our ma
tonal sovereignty A super government" he
warns, is contrary to everything we cherish and
can have nc sanction by our republic.
While lacking much in detail, this constitutes
the fullest statement Of the specifications CT his
proposed association of nation" that has yet
seen made. 1t is hardly necessary to say that it
differs fundamentally from the existing league,
which owes whatever potency il possesses 10 the
ability OF its members to enforce" where Mr.
Harding would recommend His position fore
shadows another fight over the league question, with
she ultimate possibility Of separate peace with
German and more or less strained relations with
ihe present league members. But he supplies
hardly enough data for any confident predictions
4It is worthy Of note thai the address is cheerful
~ optimistic. FIc regards present difficulties as
lelapcrary, and has full faith in the rccupcraliye
ptsfers Of the public. He believes in and expects
teswork for prosperity. Moreover, in calling for
kafmonous Amercansm-thc spirit Of helpful
-