At this Conference the Governments themselves should be directly represented.
Neither the Reparation Com- mission nor even the Council of the League of Nations should be made responsible. The business was " one for principals not for agents." lie knew that negoti- ations were already on foot to bring about such a. Con- ference, and he had no reason to think that any of the Powers concerned would refuse to join it. He was clear in his own mind, however, that the absence of one or more Powers should not prevent the rest from meeting and dealing with the situation to the best of their ability. In a subsequent passage General Smuts explicitly said that Great Britain should act, if necessary, without the co-operation or consent of France. His next point was that it was vitally important to ask for the help,of America. What was wanted was " not so much material assistance as moral support in this (lark hour." " It is lack of moral justice which is Europe's undoing. President Coolidge has already taken up the initiative ; it is being followed up."
