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In France's relations with Germany reparation did and must take

precedence over all other questions. If Germany did not pay, France, with the co-operation of the Inter-Allied Commis- sion, would be compelled to take measures. One measure would be control of the German Budget. As things were there could be no question of evacuating the left bank of the Rhine. As for relations with Great Britain, France would welcome any pact which aimed at the consolidation of peace. But France could deal only on terms of perfect equality—a reference to Mr. Lloyd George's preliminary conditions which the French thought injurious to their dignity. With regard to the Genoa Conference, he insisted that the discussions should be limited to economic questions and that treaties should not be touched.

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