and  will  to  a  large  extent  be  over  ruled  [sic]  in  final  decision.  France  felt  that
German  question  should  be  settled  before  peace  treaties  were  concluded  with
satellite  powers  but  there  is  now  little  prospect  of  that  question  being  settled  within
two  years  of  German  surrender.  Meanwhile  Eastern  frontiers  of  Germany  have  to  a
large  extent  been  settled  by  unilateral  action  on  part  of  Russia  although  they  are  of
less  importance  to  Russia  than  are  Western  frontiers  to  France.  These  facts  should
be  borne  in  mind  when  passing  judgement  on  France’s  recent  actions.
4. Present  French  Government  has  no  majority  and  small  hope  of  survival.  It  is
however  probably  best  Government  country  has  had  or  is  likely  to  have  for  some
time.  It  is  composed  of  men  of  one  party  who  are  particularly  well  disposed
towards  His  Majesty’s  Government.  M.  Blum  is  now  engaged  in  a  courageous
experiment  to  retrieve  financial  position.  No  better  moment  could  surely  be  chosen
for  a  manifestation  of  Great  Britain’s  good  will  towards  France  and  sympathy  for
her  in  her  grave  difficulties.

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