Date: April 13, 1931
Location: Northampton, MA
(Original document available here)
The pleasure with which the people will welcome the brother of the Emperor of Japan, Prince Takamatsu, and his wife, Princess Kikuko, will be very deep and sincere. It will exist not only because of the royal rank of the visitors but because they represent a nation for whom we have the highest regard and with whom we have always been on terms of peace and friendship.
Those sentiments are the real foundation of human progress. The acquaintance that comes from the contact of one people with another through travel increases the bonds of understanding and sympathy. Trade is increased and common interests are developed. Our commerce with Japan is large and important for both countries. But after all friendship between people is the important thing. If that is on a sound basis economic relations will adjust themselves.
In stating that he desired to see our art treasures the Prince was better advised than many of our own people. He will find them of a richness and extent seldom surpassed. Whatever we may have of interest will be gladly displayed to the Prince and Princess and we hope they may take home with them the realization of our admiration for Japan.
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 David Diao who prepared this document for digital publication.