Date: October 2, 1930
Location: Northampton, MA
(Original document available here)
Some time ago one of these dispatches referred to the difference in policy between the United States and the League of Nations concerning national defense. We have sought security through disarmament while the League members have emphasized the necessity of a large force to protect each other. Consequently, the Versailles Treaty provision for disarmament has not yet been executed.
Henderson, for England, has since made the same charge before the League concerning disarmament. It has been reiterated by Bernstorff, for Germany. Briand, for France, has admitted it. But he enters a plea in bar by stating that some nations have questioned the duty of going to the defense of other members of the League, and, therefore, each must have a large force to protect itself.
As the League seems to recognize its obligations, probably in time some way will be found to meet them. Undoubtedly the predominant elements in France and Germany are for peace through accommodation and mutual forbearance. In that effort they should have the sympathy and support of the public opinion of the world. The interest of the United States in European peace, as we found in 1917, is more than academic.
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.