Paris Peace Conf. 184.00101/69
Minutes of the Daily Meetings of the Commissioners Plenipotentiary, Monday, May 19th, 1919
May 19, 1919
- Present:
- Mr. Lansing
- General Bliss
- Mr. Herter
- 1.
- Mr. Herter read the memorandum prepared by the Far Eastern Division in which a telegram from the American Minister at Pekin was quoted regarding the decision of the Peace Conference with respect to Shantung. The Commissioners felt that they were not in a position to furnish Mr. Reinsch with the information which he requested, namely, as to the circumstances under which the Shantung decision was made and requested, therefore, that a copy of the telegram in question be sent to the President with a statement that in their opinion an answer should be sent to Mr. Reinsch and inquiring what suggestion the President had to make in the premises. Information Requested by Mr. Reinsch, Am. Leg. Pekin, China, re Shantung Decision
- 2.
- Memorandum No. 272 was read giving the text of five letters addressed by various members of the Commission to Mr. Grew expressing disagreement with the terms of the proposed Peace Treaty with Germany.92 The Commissioners suggested that Mr. Grew reply to these letters stating they appreciated the straightforward course that the writers of the letters in question had adopted and that they desired further time in which to consider what course should be pursued under the circumstances. Disagreements of Various Members as Regards Peace Treaty and Offer of Resignation by Members
- 3.
- Memorandum No. 273 was read with regard to the disposition of certain books, reports, memoranda and miscellaneous office material at present in the custody of the Department of Inquiry. The Commissioners expressed the desire that all the documents and material in question be sent to the State Department. Disposition of Books, Reports, and Office Material in Custody Dept. of Inquiry
- 4.
- Memorandum No. 274 was read suggesting that it might be advisable to have Mr. Poole, at present the American Chargé d’Affaires at Archangel, come to Paris to report orally to the Commission. The Commissioners felt that there was no necessity of having Mr. Poole report in Paris at the present time, in view of the fact that his information would undoubtedly be confined to conditions in and about Archangel, and that it would be better to leave him at his post during the present period of uncertainty. Proposed Visit of Mr. Poole to Paris