867.4016/607

President Harding to the Secretary of State

My Dear Mr. Secretary: I have read your proposed letter to Bishop Cannon. I cordially approve of all that you say therein. If I were to offer any criticism I should say that you have stated it with a certainty tempered with mildness which is more often attributed to me than to you. Frankly, it is difficult for me to be consistently patient with our good friends of the Church who are properly and earnestly zealous in promoting peace until it comes to making warfare on someone of a contending religion. It is, of [Page 932] course, unthinkable to send an armed force to Asia Minor. We would have open rebellion in this country if we attempted it.

Let me repeat, I quite approve of your letter.

Very truly yours,

Warren G. Harding