The Prime Minister referred to the Reichstag speech made by
Dr. Simons, who, he said, was a very sincere and honest statesman. Dr. Simons had misunderstood the proposals of the. Paris Conference. He would advise Dr. Simons not to persist in his refusal to accept those proposals as a basis for discussion. Germany must not be misled by the passion of the moment into repeating the follies of 1914. She could pay if she meant to do so ; she had not yet taxed herself as heavily as Great Britain or France were taxed, and it was intolerable that the country which did the damage should escape with a lighter burden than her victims were bearing. The German people, including the Socialists, had supported the war policy. and they must help to pay for it. Dr. Simons was entitled by the Treaty to make alternative proposals, which would be considered at the coming London conference if they were made in good faith. " Do the men of 1914 still represent Germany, who are biding their time ? It all depends on that."
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