Dr. von Simons complained against the Allies' refusal to grant a brief delay in order to consult with the Berlin cabinet. He expressed agreement with the Allies' suggestion to tax German goods delivered in Allied countries but regretted that German public opinion would discredit this proposal on account of its inclusion among the Allies' sanctions. He further agreed with the Allies' intention of examining the method of payment but deplored the fact that the joint committee of experts who would deliberate on this point would meet in an atmosphere embittered by the enforcement of the sanctions against which he formally and solemnly protested.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.