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After all, there is but a fixed quantity of wealth in this country at any fixed time. The only way that we can all secure more of it is to create more. The element of time enters into production. If the people have sufficient moderation and contentment to be willing to improve their condition by the process of enlarging production, eliminating waste, and distributing equitably, a prosperity almost without limit lies before us. If the people are to be dominated by selfishness, seeking immediate riches by nonproductive speculation and by wasteful quarreling over the returns from industry, they will be confronted by the inevitable results of depression and privation. If they will continue industrious and thrifty, contented with fair wages and moderate profits, and the returns which accrue from the development of our natural resources, our prosperity will extend itself indefinitely.

In all your deliberations you should remember that the purpose of legislation is to translate principles into action. It is an effort to have our country be better by doing better. Because the thoughts and ways of people are firmly fixed and not easily changed, the field within which immediate improvement can be secured is very narrow. Legislation can provide opportunity. Whether it is taken advantage of or not depends upon the people themselves. The Government of the United States has been created by the people. It is solely responsible to them. It will be most successful if it is conducted solely for their benefit. All its efforts would be of little avail unless they brought more justice, more enlightenment, more happiness and prosperity into the home. This means an opportunity to observe religion, secure education, and earn a living under a reign of law and order. It is the growth and improvement of the material and spiritual life of the Nation. We shall not be able to gain these ends merely by our own action. If they come at all, it will be because we have been willing to work in harmony with the abiding purpose of a Divine Providence.

CALVIN COOLIDGE

LIST OF PAPERS

[Unless otherwise specified, the correspondence is from or to officials in the Department of State]

GENERAL

SCRAPPING OF SHIPS BY THE UNITED STATES, GREAT BRITAIN, AND JAPAN IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TREATY FOR THE LIMITATION OF NAVAL Armament, SIGNED FEBRUARY 6, 1922

Date and number

Subject

Page

1925

Feb. 17 (29440

From the Secretary of the Navy

Information that Navy Department has completed scrap178:17S) ping of vessels as required under the Treaty for the Limitation of Naval Armament.

(Information communicated to France, Great Britain, Italy, and Japan.)

1

Feb. 20

To the Secretary of the Navy

1

Expression of appreciation for Navy Department's careful execution of the task imposed by the treaty.

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Mar. 24 (298)

From the British Ambassador

2

Information that Great Britain has completed scrapping of vessels in accordance with the treaty.

PROPOSALS FOR THE CALLING BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF A

DISARMAMENT CONFERENCE

1925

Undated Excerpt From a Memorandum of a Conversation Between the
British Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and the Ameri-
can Ambassador, London, February 11 [10?], 1925
Opinion of Sir Austen Chamberlain that much could be
accomplished by a naval disarmament conference, and inti-
mation that he would welcome an invitation from the United
States to hold such a conference.

3

Feb. 14 (67)

From the Ambassador in Great Britain (tel.)

4

Mr. Chamberlain's opinion that France and Japan would participate in a naval disarmament conference.

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From the Ambassador in Great Britain (tel.)

Basis of Mr. Chamberlain's views found to be his inference from general political situation in France and conversation with French Premier.

75289-40-vol. 1-3

XXXIII

5

GENERAL

PROPOSALS FOR THE CALLing by the PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF A DISARMAMENT CONFERENCE-Continued

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1925 Feb. 19 (74)

Feb. 20 (34)

Feb. 21 (94)

Feb. 21 (19)

Mar. 18 (51)

Mar. 19 (31)

From the Chargé in Great Britain (tel.)

Mr. Chamberlain's reply to a question in the House of Commons regarding the conference that the matter has been mentioned informally in conversations with the U. S. Ambassador and is under consideration.

From the Ambassador in Japan (tel.)

United Press cablegram reporting consent of England, Japan, and Italy to conference, and consent of France awaited by President Coolidge.

To the Ambassador in France (tel.)

Résumé of what has occurred in regard to discussion of disarmament conference; assurance for French Government that no formal negotiations have taken place, as might have been inferred from press reports, and that if the United States takes any initiative in the matter, all the other Governments, including France, will be notified.

To the Ambassador in Japan (tel.)

Summary of situation concerning possible calling of conference, and U. S. position; regret that press reports have made it appear that some special negotiation was going on with Great Britain.

From the Ambassador in Japan (tel.)

London press despatch reporting President Coolidge's alleged decision, following failure of Geneva Protocol, to proceed with the conference even if some powers refuse to take part. Japanese impression that U. S.-British conversations were significant.

(Footnote: British Government's announcement, March 12, of its inability to accept Geneva Protocol.)

To the Ambassador in Japan (tel.)

Secretary's explanation to Japanese Ambassador in Wash-
ington that the subject of a disarmament conference was
introduced by Mr. Chamberlain, that conversations were
informal, and that if the President decided to call a confer-
ence the United States would communicate with Japan as
well as other Governments.

Undated Memorandum of a Conversation Between the Secretary of State
and the French Ambassador, March 26, 1925
Opinion of French Government that disarmament is not
now practical. Discussion of security question.

Oct. 22 (385)

To the Ambassador in France (tel.)

Oct. 23 (510)

Oct. 24 (160)

Instructions to cable summary of press comment in country
to which accredited regarding the President's remarks to the
press on possibility of disarmament conference.
(Similar instruction sent to Japan.

Instructions to Am

bassador in France to repeat to Great Britain, Germany, and
Italy.)

From the Chargé in France (tel.)

Press comment opposed to any disarmament conference.

From the Chargé in Italy (tel.)

No press comment in regard to a disarmament conference.

Page

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6

7

8

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10

11

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GENERAL

PROPOSALS FOR THE CALLING BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF A DISARMAMENT CONFERENCE- -Continued

Date and

number

1925

Subject

Page

Oct. 24 (332)

From the Ambassador in Great Britain (tel.)

Oct. 24 (322)

Oct. 24 (176)

Oct. 26 (183)

Oct. 29 (337)

Nov. 19 (338)

Ambassador's feeling that an atmosphere of hostility exists toward any conference in Washington on land armament, but that proposition to reduce naval armaments might be favorably received. General press comment to the effect that with the Locarno Agreement, initiative has passed from Washington to Geneva.

To the Ambassador in Great Britain (tel.)

Request that Ambassador ascertain informally and unofficially the attitude of the British Government toward President's calling of a disarmament conference, and the opinion of British officials as to its reception by other European countries.

(Footnote: Telegram from Ambassador, October 26, stating that Department's inquiry had been answered by his telegram No. 332, October 24.)

From the Chargé in Japan (tel.)

Absence of editorial comment in Japanese press regarding
President's remarks. Information that Japan would prefer to
see settlement of obligations arising out of the 1922 Washington
Conference before considering new commitments.

From the Ambassador in Germany (tel.)

Information that the President's remarks have received very little press comment. Ambassador's opinion that Germany would welcome President's calling of a conference.

From the Ambassador in Great Britain (tel.)

Probability of the calling of a European conference for the limitation of armament, excluding United States. Ambassador's suggestion that the situation might be aided if President Coolidge were to point out that any so-called American interference in European affairs has come only when European powers themselves were unable to agree and had asked for help. To the Ambassador in Great Britain (tel.)

Information that the President will take up the subject in his message to Congress, December 8.

12

13

14

14

15

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DISINCLINATION OF THE UNITED STATES TO BE ASSOCIATED IN EUROPEAN SECURITY PACTS: (1) GENEVA PROTOCOL; (2) LOCARNO AGREEMENT

1925

Undated Memorandum by the Secretary of State of a Conversation With the British Ambassador, January 5, 1925

British efforts for modifications in the Geneva Protocol. Secretary's personal views as to aspects of protocol which might give concern to U. S. Government. Ambassador's suggestion for possible reservation by Great Britain, and Secretary's desire that, in event of such reservation, nothing be said to the effect that an arrangement satisfactory to United States had been made regarding ratification of the protocol.

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