26 THE ECONOMIC CONSEQUENCES OF THE PEACE ch.

seriously, and for which the eleventh-hour decisionto allow no discussion with the Germans removedthe opportunity of remedy.

But, apart from tactics, the French had a policy.Although Clemenceau might curtly abandon theclaims of a Klotz or a Loucheur , or close his eyeswith an air of fatigue when French interests wereno longer involved in the discussion, he knew whichpoints were vital, and these he abated little. Inso far as the main economic lines of the Treaty repre-sent an intellectual idea, it is the idea of France andof Clemenceau .

Clemenceau was by far the most eminent member of the Council of Four, and he had taken the measureof his colleagues. He alone both had an idea andhad considered it in all its consequences. His age,his character, his wit, and his appearance joined togive him objectivity and a defined outline in anenvironment of confusion. One could not despiseClemenceau or dislike him, but only take a differentview as to the nature of civilised man, or indulge,at least, a different hope.

The figure and bearing of Clemenceau are univer-sally familiar. At the Council of Four he wore asquare-tailed coat of very good, thick black broad-cloth, and on his hands, which were never uncovered,grey suede gloves; his boots were of thick black leather,very good, but of a country style, and sometimesfastened in front, curiously, by a buckle instead of laces.

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