Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, The Paris Peace Conference, 1919, Volume XI

Paris Peace Conf. 184.001101/13

Minutes of Meeting of the Steering Committee, July 22, 1919, at 2 p.m.

July 22, 1919, 2 p.m.

• Present:
  • Dr. James Brown Scott
  • Professor Douglas Johnson
  • Colonel U. S. Grant
  • Mr. J. F. Dulles
  • Mr. L. Harrison
  • Mr. A. W. Dulles (Secretary)

1. Dr. Scott reported that the Drafting Committee had almost finished the Economic Clauses for the Bulgarian Treaty. Certain provisions regarding the maintenance of the Capitulations led him to believe that the United States had not taken a very active part in the preparation of these clauses. He had therefore brought the matter to the attention of Mr. Nielsen.

2. Dr. Scott reported that the Committee on Responsibilities had held a final session on the report for the Bulgarian Treaty, and adopted a draft similar to the previous reports of the Commission, with the same reserves on behalf of the United States and on behalf of Japan. This report will shortly go to the Council for consideration.

3. Mr. Harrison reported that Mr. White had suggested that the Supreme Council consider the reports of Committees on the Military, Naval and Air clauses, the Economic Clauses, and the Ports, Waterways and Railroad Clauses for the Bulgarian Treaty. Mr. Balfour had replied that he considered it useless to take up these matters until the question of Bulgarian frontiers had been settled.

4. Mr. Dulles inquired whether the Drafting Committee had received a draft agreement regarding the share of Austrian debt to be assumed by the states receiving Territory from the old Monarchy. Dr. Scott reported that this had been received and that he and his French and British colleagues had considered that it was in a form which would require little alteration. The Italian delegate had objected to accepting it and no progress could be made. Mr. Dulles stated that the form of Italian participation in Austrian financial obligations had been considered again and again in committee and in every case the final assent of the Italian delegate had been obtained. He could not therefore understand on what ground the Italian delegate in the Drafting Committee could raise objection. The Committee suggested that Mr. Dulles discuss the matter informally in Commission and ascertain the reason for the present objection of the Italians. The Committee was of the opinion that if such informal discussion could not clear up the difficulty it would be necessary to refer the matter to the Commissioners with a view to its being discussed by the Supreme Council.

5. Mr. Dulles stated that he had received a number of inquiries as to whether President Wilson has sent any reply to the inquiry regarding the blockade of Russia. He therefore desired to know whether Mr. White had communicated to the Supreme Council the substance of the President’s telegram.⁴ Mr. Harrison stated that Mr. White had not yet done this but that he would bring it to his attention in order that the necessary information might be given to the Allies.

The meeting adjourned at 2:35 P.M.

4. Telegram No. 2594, July 18, 1919, noon, Foreign Relations, 1919, Russia, p. 153.