We are not in a position to cede to France any noteworthy districts in Alsace-Lorraine.
I should wish to have a free hand in the negotiations in the matter of _connecting Belgium with Germany in a military and economic sense_.

The terms that I read out, taken from notes at the Kreuznach negotiations--the military control of Belgium until the conclusion of a defensive and offensive Alliance with Germany, the acquisition of Liege (or a long-term rental thereof)--were the maximum claims of the Supreme Military and Naval Command.

The Supreme Military Command agrees with me that these terms or similar ones can only be secured if peace can be enforced on England.

But we are of opinion that a vast amount of economic and military influence must be brought to bear in Belgium in the matter of the negotiations and would perhaps not meet with much resistance, because Belgium, from economic distress, will come to see that her being joined to Germany is the best guarantee for a prosperous future.
As regards Poland, I note that the confidential hint from Your Excellency to give up Galicia and enrol it in the new Polish State is subject to the ceding of portions of Alsace-Lorraine to France, which was to be as a counter-sacrifice, but must be considered as out of the question.

The development of Poland as an independent State must be carried out in the sense of the proclamation of November 5, 1916.