Date: November 25, 1930
Location: Northampton, MA
(Original document available here)
Europe is always so much interested in having some agreement whereby the United States will undertake to assume Europe’s burdens that any rumor to that effect is widely circulated and credited. The proposal for a consultative pact to supplement the peace and naval limitation treaties is again receiving foreign attention. We supposed it was made clear at the London conference that this government was not inclined to make such a commitment. Our people do not have the imperialist mind. We have no desire to interfere in European affairs. Certainly it would be difficult to secure an agreement from us to become involved in their disputes. Our citizens go there only from a sense of duty to help when they are invited. Our government does not do that.
The world peace treaty is self-enforcing. To agree to go to war under it would be to nullify it. Europe has the League of Nations which can always consult in case of danger. Our ambassadors are at Geneva and at the other capitals. In case of danger we can join in any consultation that seems necessary to us when it arises. No agreement about it in advance is necessary or desirable.
Citation: Calvin Coolidge Says: Dispatches Written by Former-President Coolidge and Syndicated to Newspapers in 1930-1931 (Calvin Coolidge Memorial Foundation)
The Coolidge Foundation gratefully acknowledges the volunteer efforts of Craig Eyermann who prepared this document for digital publication.