M. Poincare explained his attitude when the Conference dispersed. He
said that France desired a general settlement of all War debts, whether owing by Germany or by the Allies, and that Lord Balfour's Note had made such a settlement impossible. Again, M. Poincare complained that Mr. Lloyd George, without consulting his Allies, had declared that Germany could net pay. Every proposal made by Franco had been rejected. Yet M. Poincare was convinced that Germany could pay and ought to pay. It was pointed out that the Reichsbank had gold to the value of 150,000,000 ; the three monthly payments due from Germany up to November would be only £7,500,000. M. Poincare referred to the loan which Germany had, he said, been anxious to make to CzA3oho-Slovakia. Facts like these weigh more with the French than the broader views which Mr. Lloyd George tries in vain to impress upon them.
