Speaking at Bar-le-Duc on Monday M. Poincare dealt with reparations.
He said that France "coveted no extension of country and demanded no hegemony." She simply wanted the execution of the Treaties and the payment of the money due. She could not understand why during the past three years arrangements among the Allies had generally been. at the-expense of France. "It has gradually appeared to France that she was denied the right to have-a French policy. Yet analliance can-be lasting only if there is equality and mutual respect." Britain had "inclined towards dilatory measures "—we are quoting from the Times—wad every time France had proposed
coni- pulsion:Britain had " hekl her :back. in the vain hope- of better results by conversations -and kindness." Frenchmen had been greatly surprised that. Britain should: have spoken- in the Balfour- Note about the debt of France to Britain at the very time when she was preventing France from receiving payment from Germany. Until Germany paid it was "morally and physically impossible for France to discharge-her debt to Britain."
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