Cannes und Genua: Vier Reden zum Reparationsproblem

Set against the uneasy peace of the early 1920s, this volume gathers four landmark speeches delivered by Germany’s foreign minister as the nation wrestled with the heavy burden of war reparations. Written shortly before his tragic assassination, the remarks capture a statesman determined to steer his country back onto “the path of reason,” while confronting the economic devastation and political turmoil that followed the Great War. The editor’s introductory notes place the talks in their historical moment, highlighting the minister’s blend of intellectual rigor and deep empathy for the German people.

In the Cannes address, he confronts the Allied commission’s demand for precise monetary and material contributions, explaining how any payment must be calibrated to avoid “crippling” the nation. He uses vivid analogies—such as a shipbuilder trying to maximize power while minimizing fuel—to illustrate the impossible balance between external obligations and internal recovery. Listeners will hear a measured plea for fairness that still resonates in today’s debates over debt, reconstruction, and international cooperation.