Dr. Simons, the German Foreign Minister, described his London negotiations
in the Reichstag last Saturday, and was accorded a vote of confidence by 268 votes to 49. He had, he said, offered more than the German Ministry was willing to give, and he expressed surprise at the Allies' refusal to accept an offer dependent on the restoration of Upper Silesia and on the most-favoured-nation treatment for German trade. " The German delegation had gone to London in good faith and had received a smack in the face. It could not be expected to reappear in the same spirit." Dr. Simons admitted, however, that the penalties imposed on Germany were very severe. He went out of his way again to repudiate " the statement that Germany was the sole cause of the war," although Germany admitted her sole responsibility when she signed and ratified the Peace Treaty. German Ministers are incredibly foolish in raising this question and thus exasperating the Allies anew. Germany's prime object should be to allay the bitterness by showing an honest desire to make amends for her wrong-doing. She has everything to gain by making a reasonable offer of reparation and by fulfilling it.
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