February 1, 1923
Dear Madam
Your communication, dated January 1923, enclosing various resolutions adopted at your Conference, is at hand.
In my opinion, there can be no permanent peace unless it is based on right. And right will not have prevailed until Germany, which brought about this international disaster, has done its best to make amends. When Germany shows itself repentant and ready to do what is just by those whom it has wronged, I should heartily favor extending the helping hand. But until that time -- and there is no evidence of its being at hand -- I cannot conceive it to be the duty of the United States to do anything to help. On the contrary, as a matter of moral principle, I favor joining with other nations in forcing Germany, if it will not do so voluntarily, to make restitution.
Only in this way can permanent peace come. Unless the foundation is laid in international good faith, the [superstructure] will fall. The only New Peace which I can conceive of as possible would be one more stringent upon the nation which to its previous misdeeds has added the obvious intention to evade its responsibilities. It is that nation which keeps the world in a turmoil.
Very truly yours
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