NEWS OF THE WEEK.
THE problem of Reparations is at a more critical stage than ever before. When we write on Thursday there seems to be no particular hopd that France will be appeased, and there is still talk of independent French action in Germany. If France should act in this way—though we must hope for a last-hour settlement—we could neither prevent her nor help her. All we can do before it is too late is to express our solemn con- viction that the application of force to Germany is a method which will cost more money than it will bring in and which will indefinitely delay a general recovery. Two German delegates are now in Paris and it is said that the proposals which they put forward are, first, to lodge in the occupied territory gold of the value of £2,500,000 as a guarantee of payments in kind ; and, secondly, to make the payments in kind by means of con- tracts with German manufacturers. This plan is in substance the device of Herr Stinnes, who is behind the present German negotiations.
