Date: October 1, 1930
Location: Northampton, MA
(Original document available here)
Every true friend of Germany and every supporter of sound human progress should hope for the success of President von Hindenburg and Chancellor Bruening in their efforts to balance the budget and put the government finances on a stable foundation. By a more rigid economy they are attempting to meet national obligations.
So well informed an authority as S. Parker Gilbert was reported recently to be of the opinion that with firmness this could be done. Certainly the reparation payments, now running at less than $400,000,000 per year, cannot be an intolerable burden for a country of about 65,000,000 inhabitants having no great external dept and no large army nor navy.
Germany has been rapidly regaining the confidence of world opinion. Outside supervision of her internal affairs and military occupation of her territory have practically ceased. Violent statements made for political purposes at home or for foreign consumption need not be taken too seriously.
Responsible authorities of the republic are redeeming their pledges. Through such action the future of Germany appears secure. Any other course would mean certain disaster for her people and thereby grave injury to most of the rest of the world.
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 Craig Eyermann who prepared this document for digital publication.