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Show HARDING WANTS GREATER NAVY Pleads for Merchant Marine and Navy Competent to Defend Mercantile Interests. Norfolk, Va. An America , preeminent preemi-nent in maritime commerce, cultivating cultivat-ing friendly relations but jealously determined to defend its rights, was pictured by President-elect Harding on Saturday as he ended his vacation and turned to the task of formulating policies of his administration. In a half dozen short speeches he asked for a government aided merchant mer-chant marine that would make the United States "the greatest martime nation on earth,"' and for a navy fit to be the first line of defense for a people "everlastingly determined to defend Its commerce and its rights." He also spoke for an International peace understanding that should not sacrifice American nationality, and took note of his presence in the south by forecasting a national unity that would "have the people of the old confederacy understand that that's only a memory." |