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

Paris Peace Conf. 184.00101/72

Minutes of the Daily Meetings of the Commissioners Plenipotentiary, Friday, May 23, 1919

May 23, 1919

• Present:
  • Mr. Lansing
  • Mr. White
  • Gen. Bliss
  • Mr. Herter

1. Memorandum No. 278 was read in regard to the recent journey of Colonel Conger and Major Henrotin to Berlin in which it was recommended that missions of this kind should in the future only be undertaken after notice to and with the approval of the Commission. The Commissioners did not agree with the recommendations in question feeling that this was a matter in which they could not interfere at all. These two officers were entirely under the control of General Pershing and any information which they had submitted to the Commission had been offered by General Nolan merely as a matter of courtesy with a desire to facilitate the work of the Commission. Authorization for Investigation Trips Into Germany by Army Officers

2. Mr. Herter read a telegram from the Department of State in regard to the sale by the United States of rifles and other war material to the Finnish, Esthonian and Lettland Republics together with the suggested draft of a reply to that Department stating that the Commission approved of the sales in question, provided they were made to that portion of those countries which were Non-Bolshevik. The Commissioners approved of the suggested reply to Mr. Polk. Sale of Riffes and Others War Material to Finland, Esthonia and Lettland

3. Mr. Herter read two letters which had been drafted by Mr. McNeir, one to General Pershing and one to the President in regard to supplementary allotments to certain officers who had been detached from General Pershing’s command for temporary duty in connection with the repatriation of General Haller’s troops. These letters which indicated that the Peace Commission had no funds at its disposal from which such allotments could be made were approved by the Commission. Expenses Being Incurred by Officers and Enlisted Men on Duty With Gen. Haller’s Army

4. General Bliss left the meeting at 10:45, having been summoned to a conference at 11 a.m. at President Wilson’s house.

5. Memorandum No. 279 was read appending a bill submitted by Mr. S. G. Archibald for legal services rendered to the Commission. The Commissioners agreed with the opinion expressed by Mr. James Brown Scott and Mr. David Hunter Miller that the bill in question was very reasonable and that, therefore, it should be paid by the Commission. Bill of Mr. S. G. Archibald for Legal Services Rendered to the Commission

6. Memorandum No. 280 was read in which the inquiry was made as to whether the Commissioners would authorize the unofficial use of automobiles belonging to the Commission Pool in the discretion of Captain Newton and Captain Kloeber, provided such use did not endanger the efficient services of the automobile pool for official work. The Commissioners expressed themselves as being absolutely in favor of the unofficial use of the automobiles as indicated. Unofficial Use of Automobiles at Discretion of Capt. Newton and Capt. Kloeber

7. Memorandum No. 281 was read respecting an application from [sic] made by Dr. Hart for support in sending in ten or twelve additional Y. M. C. A. workers to Germany for services in connection with Russian Prisoners of War. The Commissioners approved highly of the Commission taking such steps as might be possible to facilitate the sending of the Y. M. C. A. workers in question into Germany. Y. M. C. A. Workers To Be Sent to Germany

Mr. Herter read a memorandum from Major Tyler in regard to his conversation with General Slatin of the Austrian Peace Delegation. The Commissioners sympathized absolutely with General Slatin’s desire to make arrangements by which Austrian Red Cross delegates might be allowed to visit the Austrian prisoners of war in Siberia and accordingly authorized Mr. Herter to state that if it were possible, through Major Tyler or through some other source, they would be willing to have General Slatin informed that the United States would support any application made by the Austrian Delegation for securing the permission for its Red Cross representatives to go to Siberia. Regarding Permission for Austrian Red Cross Workers To Visit Austrian Prisoners of War in Siberia

8. Memorandum No. 282 was read with regard to the payment by the Commission of the transportation to the United States of Prof. Philip Marshall Brown. The Commissioners agreed that the Commission should pay Prof. Brown’s transportation and Mr. Lansing stated that he would be perfectly willing to file confidential vouchers in accordance with the suggestion made by Mr. McNeir. Transportation of Prof. Philip Marshall Brown to U. S.

9. Memorandum No. 283 was read in which Prof. Jefferson inquired what disposition he should make of eleven (11) cases of maps, most of them blank base maps, belonging to the Commission. The Commissioners felt that these maps should be sent to the State Department if they were no longer needed by the Commission and that if at a later date the League of Nations decided to make use of them it could make a request to that effect to the Department of State. Disposition of Maps

10. Memorandum No. 284 was read with regard to certain applications which had been received for the release of five members of the Commission. The Commissioners approved of the application submitted by Dr. Mezes for release on June 1st. They disapproved the applications made by Dr. Westermann and Dr. Lunt for release on June 4th and 5th respectively, feeling that it would be absolutely necessary to have the services of these gentlemen at the disposal of the Commission in connection with the important questions still to be decided. They, therefore, expressed the hope that satisfactory arrangements could be made with those gentlemen in order to induce them to remain with the Commission. The Commissioners took no action in regard to the application of Dr. Magie because they were not aware of the functions which he had been performing with the Commission and desired further information in respect to his duties. Dr. Morison’s application for permission to sail on July 11th was approved. Release of Five Members of the Commission

11. Memorandum No. 285 was read in which a Mr. Lapina requested permission to photograph the Commissioners in order to bring out an album of the Peace Conference. The Commissioners felt that if this album was to be prepared for charitable purposes it would be very simple for Mr. Lapina to obtain photographs taken previously of them, but if it was a private undertaking they would not care to be photographed again. They likewise stated that in no case would it be possible for Mr. Lapina to photograph them all together. Photograph of Commissioners