<P> French negotiators wanted reparations, to make Germany pay for the damage caused during the war and to weaken Germany . The French also wanted the iron ore and coal of the Saar Valley, by annexation to France . The French were willing to accept a smaller amount of reparations than the Americans would concede and Clemenceau was willing discuss Germany capacity to pay with the German delegation, before the final settlement was drafted . In April and May 1919, the French and Germans held separate talks, on mutually acceptable arrangements on issues like reparation, reconstruction and industrial collaboration . France, along with the British Dominions and Belgium, opposed mandates and favored annexation of former Germany colonies . </P> <P> Britain had suffered little land devastation during the war . However, the British wartime coalition was re-elected during the so - called Coupon election at the end of 1918, with a policy of squeezing the German "' til the pips squeak". Public opinion favoured a "just peace", which would force Germany to pay reparations and be unable to repeat the aggression of 1914, although those of a "liberal and advanced opinion" shared Wilson's ideal of a peace of reconciliation . </P> <P> In private Lloyd George opposed revenge and attempted to compromise between Clemenceau's demands and the Fourteen Points, because Europe would eventually have to reconcile with Germany . Lloyd George wanted terms of reparation that would not cripple the German economy, so that Germany would remain a viable economic power and trading partner . By arguing that British war pensions and widows' allowances should be included in the German reparation sum, Lloyd George ensured that a large amount would go to the British Empire . </P> <P> Lloyd George also intended to maintain a European balance of power to thwart a French attempt to establish itself as the dominant European Power . A revived Germany would be a counterweight to France and a deterrent to Bolshevik Russia . Lloyd George also wanted to neutralize the German navy to keep the Royal Navy as the greatest naval power in the world; dismantle the German colonial empire with several of its territorial possessions ceded to Britain and others being established as League of Nations mandates, a position opposed by the Dominions . </P>

Where was the peace treaty with germany signed