Date: November 17, 1925
Location: Washington, D.C.
(Original document available here)
I don’t know that I can say anything about the forthcoming evacuation of Cologne, except the most obvious thing. It is another step in winding up the problem that arose as a result of the war and in the difficult y that they had in reaching a solution as to reparations. Of course in so far as it is that, it is a significant move for peace and an example and indication of the desire of the countries interested to make agreements rather than to try to settle their difficulties by force.
I don’t know of any change in the attitude of the United States Government in relation to submarines from the position that was taken at the time of the Washington Conference. I don’t want to say that the United States Government wouldn’t be willing to change the policy that it announced at that time, but the policy then announced is the policy that we have at the present time, a limitation of submarines, with an open mind to hear and consider any other suggestions that might be made in relation to the use or abolition of submarines.
I don’t know that there is any use to discuss a form of ship subsidy. So far as I know now I am not proposing to submit one to Congress. I have in the past thought something of that kind might be, but it has never seemed to be practical
I have already spoken of submarines.
I am going to make the report of Mr. Dalton public. I don’t know but what it has gone out already. Has it?
Press: No, sir.
President: Well, it has been mimeographed and will be given out within a short time, two or three days.
I am going to send my message up to Congress. My present expectation is that I am not going up to read it.
And the report on Muscle Shoals – I rather expect to make that public very soon. I haven’t had a chance to look it over, but it lay in my mind that it should be public, and of course if it was a report that was to go to Congress it ought to be submitted to them before it goes to the press. But I don’t understand that is the case.
Press: Mr. President, you indicated I believe at one of the last conferences that you expected a unanimous report. Would you say whether it was unanimous or not?
President: I don’t think it is.
There isn’t anything further that can be said at this time about any conference to advance the work of the Arms Conference that we had here in 1921.
I don’t think it is at all likely that our Government will call the attention of France to the fact that the treaty for restriction in the use of submarines and poison gas entered into at Washington has not been made effective because France has not ratified it. That is before the French Government for their action and I shouldn’t think it would be appropriate for our Government to make any suggestion about it.
I have already spoken of the attitude in relation to submarines.
Representative Underhill spoke to me about a large purchase of real estate on the south side of Pennsylvania Avenue, at a cost that he estimated of $15,000,000. I haven’t the slightest doubt that that is a very candid estimate on his part, but of course all experience is that these estimates, when they are put into effect, are greatly exceeded. I do not look with favor on a proposal of that kind at the present time. I have approved the building of a memorial bridge here that is going to cost considerable money, and we are all the time making outlays in the city of Washington. I would like to have something done here, as you well know, in relation to public buildings, and perhaps something in the rest of the country. I have quite a sympathy with the suggestion that ultimately that land there ought to belong to the Government, but I don’t think it is an appropriate time to purchase it now. It would cost more in the future of course, but aside from that there is no other element of danger in leaving it there. The land will be there. If it wasn’t there when the time comes, we shall not want it.
I have already expressed my interest and what I think is the interest of the American people in the agreements that were made at Locarno, that they were likely to improve the situation of the world, so I don’ t think it would be correct to say that they were lacking interest in the United States. The United States is very much interested in any action that can be taken anywhere that there is a movement toward peace, a reconciliation and conciliation, better understanding and good-will, whether it be made in Europe or in the Far East. There is a great deal of promise in those pacts, and of course we are very much interested to see that they are approved for that reason, while they don’t directly affect us.
Citation: Calvin Coolidge: Remarks by the President to Newspaper Correspondents
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