NEWS OF THE WEEK.
THE Cabinet on Wednesday and Thursday discussed the text of their reply to the German Note. When the reply is ready, as it probably will be on Friday, it will be sent to the Allies, and also to the United States. The British Note, according to a series of paragraphs in Thursday's Times, which are based, we do not doubt, on sound information, consists of (1) a draft reply to the German Note ; (2) a covering letter ; and (3) an ex- planatory memorandum. We feel sure that these docu- ments will be reasonable, moderate and conciliatory in tone, but we also feel sure that Mr. Baldwin will not lose touch of the three essential points : (1) Germany must - not be asked to pay more than her capacity allows ; (2) that capacity must be assessed by an independent ICommission, which will judge impartially from an cannot pay up to her full capacity while the Ruhr Valley is occupied under war conditions and while the minds of the population in the Rhineland, and indeed throughout Germany, arc disturbed by the fear that France has planned and means to carry out a policy of dismember- ment. Mr. Baldwin and his Cabinet have before them a most arduous task ; but, in spite of all the difficulties with which they are confronted, we believe that their good will must prevail. " Those will conquer who believe they can." The Prime Minister is not a man who believes in or invites failure. PAGE economic and not a political standpoint ; (3) Germany
