Dr. Simons, the German Foreign Minister, speaking at Stutt- gart
on Sunday, declared once more that the Allies' terms in regard to reparation were not discussable, but he added that Germany would present counter-proposals at the coming confer- ence in London. He urged that the Allies had underestimated Germany's burden of taxation and overrated her ability to pay an indemnity. He admitted that Germany's financial policy during the war and since the armistice had been unsound, partly through official ignorance. He said that Germany would like to provide labour to assist in repairing the damage done in Northern France. " We shall rather accept unjust dictation," he concluded, " than sign undertakings which we are not firmly persuaded that the German people can keep." Dr. Simons was evidently anxious to prevent the Opposition parties from saying that he was too ready to yield to the Allies. It may, we think, be inferred from his speech that he would accept the terms with some modifications.
Previous page
