• * * The Inauguration of President Coolidge at Washington
took place on Wednesday without most of the usual expensive display of decorations. The Inaugural Address, like the scene in which it was set, was marked by sim- plicity. Those who find in America of to-day a still dominating spirit of Puritanism will see it running strongly through the President's words : " America seeks no earthly empire built on blood and force. The legions which she sends forth are armed, not with the sword, but with the Cross." As regards relations with Europe, Mr. Coolidge said that the vast powers of America imposed on her the duty of assisting in the rehabilitation of dis- tressed nations, and she would not fail in that duty. He had long been seeking " a formula for permanent peace." Economic pressure made wars, but he looked hopefully to " the heart of humanity." In the last resort, however, it was only possible " to help those who helped them- selves "—a strongly implied disapproval, we may take it, of the piling up of armaments in Europe.
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