Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-11-12
American Isolation Policy and
Naval Stand Frankly De-
fined on Armistice Day.
OUR DUTY TO EUROPE
DECLARED WELL DONE
Still Ready to Cooperate, He Adds,
but Expects Reciprocity-Kel-
logg Pact Lauded.

President Coolidge's vigorous reply tc
the critics of Arperica's traditional
policy of isolation and his challenge
of the good faith of Europe In the
limitation of naval armament were tho
chief subjects of discussion in political
quarters here today.
The Chief Executive spoke before an
audience in the Washington Audi
torium last night which had gathered
under the auspices of the American
Legion to celebrate the tenth ami
versary of the signing of the armistice
He lauded the services of Gen. Per-
shing and Admiral Simms, detailed the
economic results of the war and what
he considered its spiritual" benefits
reiterated his stand for the mainte-
nance of adequate naval defenses and
entered fervent appeal for consti-
tuition of world peace.
Declaring that the question of Amer
ica's duty to Europe had received a
wide discussion on both sides of the
Atlantic, Mr.. Coolidge asserted that
America had acknowledged the exist
ence of such duties and had tried to
meet them.
Duties Declared Mutual.
"They are not all one one side, how
ever" he said. "They are mutual. We
have sometimes been 1eproached fol
lecturing Europe, but probably ours are
not the only people who sometimes en-
gage in gratuitous criticism and advice
We have also been charged with pur-
suing policy of isolation. We are not
the only people either who desire tc
give their attention to their own affairs
1t is quite evident that both of these
claims cannot be true"
While stating the belief that military
preparation has never proved sufficient
as the remedy for preventing war
President Coolidge is convinced that il
is our duty to ourselves and to the cause
of civilization and our orderly and law
full relations with foreign people, to
maintain an adequate Army and Navy
/ Insisting that to be ready for defense
is not to be guilty of aggression, the
President indicated that he thinks the
time has arrived when the rest of the
world should be given to understand
that while the United States stands
ready to cooperate and be helpful in
its relations with Europe and will dc
everything possible to advance the in
terests of peace, it is going to be prac-
tical at the same time. There is no
mistaking his determination to carry
out the Navy building program.
Speech Rated Important.
There was no mistaking the profound
impression made by this speech of the
President Comment indicates that it
is being regarded as one of the most
significant and important public ad-
dresses ever delivered by Mr.. Coolidge
In his review of this Governments
relations with the powers of Europe,
and its failure to understand this
Government, the President expressed
himself in language that was at times
blunt.
The exercises served as the outstand-
ing event in the Nation wide observance
of Armistice day. The hall was packed
to capacity and the address went out
on a radio hook-up that made ii
possible for millions to hear the speech
His audience frequently interrupted
his speech with long applause. Today
the President received many kilograms
from various parts of the country con-
graduating him. Moreover, the Presl-
dent was gratif1ed at the favorable man.
ner in which his utterances were treat
ed in the press. The comments abroad
are also mainly favorable.
The President gave the impression
that he is expecting great results from
the Kellogg treaty outlaWing war ano
by continued efforts to bring about
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