Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-10-25
Makes Plain Attitude of Gov
eminent in Foreign Affairs
at Golden Rule Dinner OF
Near East Relief Association
Cites Fact America in
Past 8 Years Has $1S,OO0,-
100000 in War Time And
Relief Agencies

Washington. Oct. 24-The Hope
and aim Of America" is to help Eu-
rope to help itself. President Cool
idge declared tonight in an address
devoted to international reliefs at n
Golden Rule dinner Of the Near East
Relief Association.
Speaking before an audience which
included many members Of the dip
lomatic corps. Mr.. Coolidge outlined
at some length the attitude of the
Washington government in foreign
affairs. which he declared followed
the golden rule.
Europe does not want our benevo-
lence." the president said. ut does
want our help. and we are ready 10
give 1t. America wants the peace Of
good will and of the Golden Rule;
not the peace Of force imposed by
those who have power. 1t wants
peace as the normal. the right. as
sured estate in the world. when wiser
generations shall have forever out
lawed aggressive war"
Recalling that this country had
expended millions in charitable re-
lief. Mr.. Coolidge called attention that
it also had extended to other govern
ments loans and credits, which they
are beginning to repay" There Is
moral obligation" to make such re-
payments. he added.
The president took OCCASION also
to re-state that while this govern
ment had given it's general appro-
baton" to numerous loans made by
it's private citizens in aiding the re-
financing Of European countries, the
loans were made without the as
sumption of any obligation wahteVer
by our government"
american investors receive no as
surances that their loans or agree
ments will be supported by Ameri-
can arms" Mr.. Coolidge explained.
1T is gratifying that American CAPT.
tai has been able to facilitate the
carrying into effect of the Dawes
plan with it's promise of economic
recuperation abroad from which we
as well as the peoples abroad will
benefit. But loans are made without
commitments on the part of this gov
eminent"
Going into a detailed account Of
the errands of mercy by this govern
ment in Europe and the Far East in
recent years, and to its accomplish
ments in stabilizing economic condi-
tons generally. the president refer
red to those Exceedingly modest
souls" who constantly depreciate
their own assumption that our coun-
try has done nothing for Europe.
Il do not think that our country"
he added, needs to assume any at
titude of a. ology. / have every re-
Spect for the governmental and So
cial institutions of other peoples. but
l have little sympathy with our fell
low citizens who profess to see in
them something better adapted to
their own needs than those which we
have developed ourselves, and who
are vaguely apologize Of the fact
that they are Americans. Neither
have any sympathy with those who
are unwilling or unable to look be-
yond our shores and who content
themselves with an equally vague
and unmeaning assertion of their
AmericaniSm.
Il reserve my approval for those
who while thoroughly American, yet
do not propose to live unto them
selves alison: who are neither obvi-
Gus to duty or to charity but who
cherish as individuals and as citi-
zens the Golden Rule of action among
our own people"
American relief during the famine
periods in Russia had prevented, he
declared, the spread Of Bolshevism
over a large portion of Europe. But
for this relief, he added. civilization
(which has been set back a genera :
ton in Russia, would have had the
same setback over a half score Of
other countries. Peace would have
been impossible"
I'VE disapprova OF the Russian
government" he declared, "but Am
erica has held humanity higher than
international laws"
America in the East eight years
has expended more than $4,000, O0O.-
600 through various wartime and re-
lief agencies in charities, donations,
and loans. Mr.. Coolidge recalled.