Thus a certain optimism prevailed at the time when the
Franco-Belgian Conference between MM. Jaspar, Theunis and Poincare opened. The momentary vision of peace was, however, soon obscured by the official announcement the next day. The French and Belgian Governments had decided in no way to desist from their common aim, and had even agreed upon new methods of coercion. Then, on Sunday, a " strong " speech from M. Poincare at Dunkirk, recalling old memories of English atrocities in that town. He reiterated his determination to make Germany pay every penny. On Monday afternoon, Dr. von Rosenberg spoke in the Reichstag. Germany was still prepared to abide by the Bergmann proposals of January last. He expressed approval of the Hughes plan for an international committee to decide upon Germany's paying powers. It was significant that Dr. von Rosen- berg said nothing about France's evacuation of the Ruhr being a condition precedent to any negotiation. On the whole, however, the atmosphere is a little better than the facts seem to warrant. Everyone expects that negotiations will be reopened before long. We have written fully on these speeches in a leading article.
