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

Paris Peace Conf. 184.00101/77

Minutes of the Daily Meetings of the Commissioners Plenipotentiary, Thursday, May 29, 1919

May 29, 1919

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

1. The Commissioners requested that if possible a compilation be made of all important decisions which had been reached by the Council of Four, the Council of Five or the Council of Ten in regard to the Peace Treaties with Germany, Austria or in connection with an important current event since November 11th, 1918. In addition to each decision they requested that supplementary notes be made indicating upon what recommendation or discussion any particular decision had been made and in important cases the attitude of the representatives of the various nations leading up to that decision. The Commissioners felt that possibly Colonel Grant, Mr. Frazier and Mr. Osborne could undertake such a compilation, but that in any case the choice of an individual best fitted for the work should be left to Mr. Grew and to Mr. Harrison. Compilations of Decisions Reached by Councils of Four, Five & Ten

2. Mr. Herter read a memorandum addressed by Dr. J. T. Shotwell to Mr. Grew recommending that, inasmuch as he would soon have to sever his connection with the Commission, the map material and books of the Inquiry be turned over by him to Dr. Putnam and that the latter be asked to catalog them and index them for the benefit of the Department of State. The Commissioners approved of the recommendations made by Dr. Shotwell. Cataloging of Map Material and Books Recommended by Mr. J. T. Shotwell

3. Memorandum No. 299 was read in regard to the departure of Professor Jefferson from Paris and in regard to the personnel of Professor Jefferson’s Office which should remain with the Commission. The Commissioners agreed to allow Prof. Jefferson to return to the United States under the circumstances and likewise agreed that it would be well to have Corporal J. T. Deitch and Privates J. E. Van Trees and G. W. Wheat remain with the Commission to do such drafting as might be found necessary in the next month. If at any time it be found that their services are no longer needed, these men can then be released. Prof. Jefferson’s Departure From Paris and re Personnel of His Office Remaining With Commission

4. Memorandum No. 300 was read in regard to the disposal of 4700 sheets of the Millionth Maps of Europe at the disposal of the Commission. The Commissioners agreed that as long as several complete sets of these maps were sent to the State Department there would be no objection to turning over the remainder, gratis, to the Relief Administration. Disposal of the 4700 Sheets of Millionth Maps of Europe

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6. Memorandum No. 302 was read inquiring whether it was the desire of the Commissioners that the expenses of Dr. Westermann and Dr. Shotwell be paid provided they gave talks at Tours and Toulouse respectively at Army Posts under the management of Justin H. Moore. The Commissioners felt that to pay the expenses of these gentlemen for the purpose indicated would be a misappliance of funds and might open the Commission to the suspicion of carrying on propaganda in the Army and, therefore, they were unable to approve the payments in question. Payment of Expenses of Mr. Shotwell and Mr. Westermann Incurred in Making Speeches to A. E. F.

7. Memorandum No. 303 was read regarding the assignment of Dr. Haskins to replace Dr. Mezes on the Central Territorial Commission and in regard to the departure of Dr. Haskins to the United States. The Commissioners approved of the appointment of Dr. Haskins for Dr. Mezes on the Central Territorial Commission and likewise approved of Dr. Haskins’ release from the Commission on either June 8th or June 11th according to Dr. Haskins’ own discretion. Appointment of Dr. Haskins to Central Territorial Com.

8. Memorandum No. 304 was read quoting a letter from Dr. Seymour in regard to his return to the United States and giving the substance of Mr. Grew’s reply thereto. The Commissioners approved of Mr. Grew’s having informed Dr. Seymour that every facility would be granted Dr. Seymour and his wife for return to the United States when the work of the Commission was completed. Arrangements for Return of Dr. Seymour to U. S. on Completion of Duties

9. Memorandum No. 305 was read in regard to a note which had been received by the Embassy from the French Government proposing that the expenses in relation to the repatriation and maintenance of some 33,000 Russian Prisoners who on the day of the Armistice were released from Germany and turned over to the Allied Forces, who have since been harbored by the French Government should be borne either by Germany or by the principal Allied and Associated Powers. The Commissioners agreed that this was primarily a State Department matter, but suggested that a reply be made to the French Government to the effect that if that Government were agreeable to having the expenses of the relief of Russian Prisoners, no matter where located, and which was at present being undertaken by one or the other Allied and Associated Governments, be pooled among the principal Allied and Associated Powers, we would have no objection to bearing our share of the expense of the repatriation and maintenance of the Russian Prisoners in question. Expenses for Repatriation and Maintenance of Russian Prisoners

9 [sic]. Memorandum No. 306 was read with regard to the Commissioners taking any steps to have a passport issued to Mrs. Harriet DuBose, the wife of Major DuBose, the Business Manager of the Hotel de Crillon. The Commissioners agreed that in view of the order recently issued by the War Department to the effect that the Army would not prohibit the issuing of passports to the wives of Army Officers in France they would be willing to ask the State Department to issue the passport in question. Passport for Mrs. Harriet DuBose

10. Memorandum No. 307 was read in regard to the request made by Mr. King of the Commission on Mandates in Turkey that the salaries of Sgt. Major Toren and Private Lambing be increased $50.00 and $25.00 a month respectively. The Commissioners requested that before taking final action in this matter they be allowed to consider it together with the previous memorandum which they had considered and approved suggesting increases for certain other individuals of the personnel of the Commission on Mandates in Turkey. Increase in Salary for Sgt. Major Toren and Pvt. Lambing

11. Mr. Herter read a memorandum prepared by Dr. Lord in regard to the recall of the members of the Riggs’ Mission who are still in Russia. The Commissioners requested that they be allowed to speak to Dr. Lord in regard to this matter at the next meeting of the Commissioners before taking any final action. Regarding Recall of Members of Riggs’ Mission Who Are Still in Russia

12. Memorandum No. 308 was read in regard to the assignment of Lieut. Linton B. Swift as Chief Clerk in the office of the International Law Department of the Commission in place of Lieut. John F. Manly. The Commissioners requested the opinion of Mr. James Brown Scott in regard to this assignment before taking any final action. Assignment of Lieut. Linton B. Swift as Chief Clerk in Office of International Law Department of the Commission

13. Mr. Herter read a memorandum prepared by Mr. W. L. Westermann in regard to the note which Mr. Venizelos had sent to President Wilson respecting certain additional Turkish territory which the Greeks were now demanding. The Commissioners agreed with the opinion expressed by Dr. Westermann and requested Mr. Herter to draft a letter to the President enclosing a copy of Dr. Westermann’s memorandum together with the Map which was submitted with the above mentioned memorandum, requesting the President’s earnest attention to the matters outlined therein. Greek Claims in Turkey