The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1928-11-12
WORLD PEACE
APPEAL MADE
BY COOLIDGE
Reiterates Stand for Mainten-
ance of Adequate Naval
Defenses
PRAISES PERSHING, SIMS
Estimates Americas World
War Cost at One Hundred
Billion Dollars
PRAISES PERSHING, SIM

Washington, Nov. 12.-(AP)-
Turning from an acknowledgment
Of Americas obligation to those who
served her in the world war to a
review of American relations with
Europe since the close of the great
conflict, President Coolidge last
night made vigorous reply to those
of the old world who have criticized
the nations traditional policy of iso-
lation.
The chief executive spoke before
an audience which had gathered un-
der the auspices of the American
Legion to celebrate the tenth ami
versary of the signing of the Armis-
tice. He lauded the services. Of
General Pershing and Admiral
Sims, detailed the economic results
Of the war and what he considered
its spiritual" benefits, reiterated
his stand for the maintenance of
adequate naval defenses and entered
a fervent appeal for constitution
Of world peace.
Declaring that the question of
Americas duty to Europe had re-
ceived a wide discussion on both
sides of the Atlantic, Mr.. Coolidge
asserted that America had acknowl-
edged the existence of such duties
and had tried to meet them.
Defends Isolation Policy
"They are not all on one side, how
ever" he said, "they are mutual.
We have sometimes been reproached
for lecturing Europe, but probably
ours are not the only people vino
sometimes engage in gratuitous
criticism and advice. We have also
been chargd with pursuing a policy
Of isolation. We are not the only
people either who desire to give
their attention to their own affairs.
1t is quite evident that both of these
claims can not be true. l think no
informed person at home or abroad
would blame us for not intervening
in affairs which are peculiarly the
concern Of others to adjust, or, when
we are asked for help, for stating
clearly the terms on which we are
willing to respond"
Mr.. Coolidge said that the Amcri-
can position could "truthfully be
characterized as one of patience,
consideration, restraint and assist
ance." He declared that we had ac-
cepted a settlement of obligations
not in accordance with what was due
"but in accordance with the merciful
principle of what our debtors could
pay" that, when asked, America has
given advice and for constructive
purposes has given of it's resources
at the same time refraining from all
unsought Intervention or interven.
tion which it was thought would be
ineffective.
Preparedness Necessary
I'VE can have military prepara-
tion without assuming a military
spirit" he said. ut is our duty to
ourselves and to the cause of civili-
zation, to the preservation of domes-
tic tranquility, to our orderly and
lawful relations with foreign people
to maintain an adequate army and
navy"
Mr.. Coolidge estimated that with
what has already been paid out and
what is already apparent for the fu-
ture, the final cost of the world war
to America will be nearly one hum
dred billion dollars. To this he add
ed an assertion that whatever may
be thought or said of us. we know
and every informed person should
know that we reaped no selfish bene-
fit from the war;"