27 OCTOBER 1923, Page 2

As regards inter-Allied debts General Smuts, though he approved of

a generous remission of debts in principle, pointed out that it would be a fundamental mistake to remit debts if money thus gained by France was going to be used for the further militarization of Europe. As for the security which France deserved and which he sincerely hoped she would get, far more security was to be found in the company of Liberal England and America than in all the legions which she was mustering. The real patriotic Frenchman should be, above all, a good European. France, in the day of her victory and greatness, should not forget her noble historic mission. He implored her to become again the great Liberal leader of the Continent. * *