Date: September 19, 1924
Location: Washington, D.C.
(Original document available here)
Here is an inquiry asking for my opinion whether there will be any diplomatic intervention in China to prevent further spreading of the civil war. Of course, the Government has been taking such action as we thought necessary to protect American lives and property. We have an Ambassador or a Minister in China?
A minister.
Minister Schurman was in the other day, Dr. Schurman, and he didn’t seem to think that there was imminent danger of further spreading of the war in China at this time. He seemed to be of the opinion that the battles that had already been fought were about as decisive as those Chinese battles are. I inquired of him as to the loss of life and the destruction of property, which he said were both exceedingly meager, almost no loss of life in battle and no destruction of property as they had no heavy artillery. So that so far as I know at the present time American rights are being protected. It seems apparent that a decision in China of affairs of this kind can hardly ever be regarded as final, but as final as those things usually are. That isn’t a very definite statement, but those things are quite indefinite in China. So as far as I know there isn’t any occasion at the present time for any action, other than what we have already taken.
I haven’t had any information about the seizure by Russia of the Island of Wrangell off the coast of Siberia, so I am not in a position to give any information whatever about that. I assume that that is one of the islands in the Pacific supposed to come within the terms of one of the treaties that grew out of the Washington Conference.
I haven’t made any new speaking engagements that I recall now. I am working on the Tariff Commission’s report (meaning Sugar report). This is it – these documents here (indicating and showing some documents about 3 1/2 in. thick). I have already spent considerable time on it, but as you can see it is a matter that would require some time and attention, if I am to digest it. I shall have to have the assistance of some of the other departments, in order to help me out.
Mr. President, are you to address the Red Cross on October 4th – 6th?
I think so. I think that is quite customary. The President is the President of the Red Cross. I recall making a short address to them last year. Some time ago, I think that was arranged for.
I have appointed Judge McMahon of the District of Columbia Police Court of course in the only way for which he can be appointed at the present time, and that is in the nature of a recess appointment. For a vacancy occurring during recess, no other action could be taken on it.
No, I haven’t finally determined on the personnel of the Agricultural Commission. I want to confer further with Secretary Wallace and I am very sorry to say that as you probably know he i s laid up in bed with an attack of Sciatic Rheumatism, when he is better I expect to see him, or if he is not able to come here perhaps I shall go up there.
Citation: Calvin Coolidge: Remarks by the President to Newspaper Correspondents
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