763.72119/9087: Telegram
The Special Representative ( House ) to the Secretary of State
[Received 6:55 a.m.]
49. Strictly confidential for Polk from Auchincloss. For your information and for such use as you may see fit to make of it. There is little doubt that through the influence of the United States, exercised through Colonel House, the present decision to hold the Peace Conference in Switzerland was brought about. Colonel House proposed Switzerland to Lloyd George and secured his assent. Clemenceau of course was in favor of Versailles but did not argue the matter with George and Colonel House. Orlando stated Italy would vote for any place that the United States was in favor of. I suggest that these facts be pointed out to McCormick and that he be told that it would be advisable to secure informal assurances from the Swiss Government through Sulzer during the commercial negotiations now being carried on by the War Trade Board with Switzerland on the following points.
[Page 121]- 1.
- The Swiss Government will offer every possible facility to assist the United States Government in securing suitable accommodations in Switzerland for its representatives at the Conference.
- 2.
- The Swiss Government will permit United States Government officials to install in Switzerland a central telegraph and telephone service at such points as may be necessary for the use of the United States representatives at Peace Conference. This would involve the leasing by the United States of such telegraph and telephone lines as may be necessary and available and within the discretion of the United States authorities. The construction, maintenance and operation of such telegraph and telephone lines as may be required. It would be understood that these lines would be utilized only during the session of the Peace Conference and to be employed only for governmental business and for press agencies approved by the Government of the United States.
- 3.
- Complete freedom from any censorship by the Swiss Government of any communications sent over these lines either by United States Government officials or by press agencies approved by the United States.
If the above assurances cannot in substance be secured it would seem wise to reconsider the tentative decision already arrived at to hold the Conference in Switzerland. Please cable very promptly your views with reference to this matter as I am planning to send representatives in the very near future to Switzerland to secure options on suitable accommodations.