We have dealt so fully with Lord Balfour's Note elsewhere
that we shall only record here that it was addressed to all the Allies—France, Italy, Serbia, Rumania, Portugal and Greece— who owe us War-debts, and quote one passage which is of special significance. Lord Balfour concluded his despatch by saying that the Government did not suggest that it was either just or expedient to relieve Germany of her obligations to the Allies. Great Britain, speaking for herself, would be prepared to abandon all further claims to reparation from Germany and to the repayment of the loans to the Allies as "part of a general plan by which this great problem could be dealt with as a whole and find a satisfactory solution." How the general plan is to be devised in view of the conflicting policies and discordant moods of the leading nations concerned is a problem that almost passes the wit of man.
