No doubt the very appointment of the experts is a
departure from the procedure contemplated in the Peace Treaty, but if,- as the French in effect argue,- the Repara- tion Commission must remain supreme, the reality a supremacy can be observed if the experts report to the Commission and the Commission passes on the recommen- dations to the Governments. Any difficulties of this sort can be easily overcome. It is all a matter of good will. Germany, with the sympathy of Great Britain, holds to her argument that Reparations and the evacuation of the Rhineland are separate problems, and France holds to her argument that they are interdependent The main concern of Great Britain is, first, tdinsist that the Repara- tions payable to us should not fall below the amount of our debt to America and,. secondly, that there ought to be no delay in evacuating the -Rhineland. For the rest we entirely agree with Mr. Parker Gilbert- that a promise from Germany to pay whatever final sum is agreed upon ought to be accepted in plate-of all guarantees. Guarantees are unnecessary because no Power that desires to be called " Great " can afford not to pay its debts. Credit depends upon cOnfidence ; if 'Germany were so mad as to destroy confidence in her she would be ruined, as she very well knows.
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