Paris Peace Conf. 180.03101/3
Notes on the Meeting of the Supreme War Council Held at the Quai d’Orsay, at 2:30 p.m., January 13, 1919
The following were present:
| United States: | The President |
| Mr. Lansing | |
| General Bliss | |
| Admiral Benson | |
| Mr. Hoover | |
| Mr. Hurley | |
| Mr. Davis | |
| Mr. Baruch | |
| Lt. Gilbert White | |
| Mr. Frazier | |
| Mr. Harrison | |
| France: | M. Clemenceau |
| M. Pichon | |
| Marshal Foch | |
| M. Clementel | |
| M. Leygues | |
| M. Klotz | |
| M. Loucheur | |
| M. Dutasta | |
| M. Berthelot | |
| Prince de Bearn | |
| Great Britain: | Mr. Lloyd George |
| Mr. Balfour | |
| Mr. Bonar Law | |
| Sir Henry Wilson | |
| Admiral Sinclair | |
| General [Sackville-West] | |
| Sir Maurice Hankey | |
| Major [Caccia] | |
| Italy: | Baron Sonnino |
| General [di Robilant] | |
| Comte [Aldrovandi] | |
| Japan: | Viscount Chinda |
| Mr. Matsui |
M. Pichon opened the session by calling upon Marshal Foch to report the decisions reached by the technical advisors at their meeting of 10 o’clock.
I
Marshal Foch submitted the text of a new clause to be added to the terms of the Armistice, requiring the German Government to take the steps necessary to insure the safety of the funds in the possession of the Reichsbank and the material necessary for the issuance of bank notes. (See Annex A)1
[Page 526]President Wilson questioned the desirability of presenting the matter in the form of a demand on Germany.
Mr. Bonar Law explained the purpose of the clause and the fact that the Germans were required by the terms of the Armistice to safeguard their assets.
President Wilson thought that instead of imposing such a clause on the Germans it would be preferable to persuade them to agree to take the necessary steps in the matter.
He, therefore, suggested that the Allied Financial Experts who were to accompany Marshal Foch to Spa, should be instructed to discuss the matter with the German representatives and endeavor to determine what was necessary and most desirable. The German representatives would have to decide whether the agreement should be in the form of an addition to the Armistice or a separate understanding. He thought, however, that it would be far preferable to have the agreement in the form of a separate understanding.
It was agreed that Marshal Foch was authorized to accept whatever plan was recommended by the Allied Financial Experts.
II
Marshal Foch presented the text of a clause modifying Article XXII of the Armistice. (Annex B)2
It was proposed “As a penalty for delay in surrendering submarines,” to demand that all submarines fit to take to sea should be delivered to the Allies as well as all submarine cruisers, mine layers, etc. Those which were still incompleted, should be destroyed.
M. Leygues explained the purpose of the proposal and the reasons therefor.
President Wilson thought it unwise to make this requirement an addition to the terms of the Armistice.
Mr. Lloyd George thought it most desirable that the Allied delegates should require the Germans to deliver the submarines, etc., but that they should insist on this as a proper compliance with the terms of the Armistice.
M. Clemenceau asked whether any time limit had been set. He proposed the addition of the word “immediately”.
It was agreed that the wording of the clause should be changed to read as follows:
“In order to insure the execution of Article XXII of the Armistice, all submarines fit to take the sea, shall be towed, immediately, etc.”
III
Marshal Foch proposed that a new clause be inserted in the Armistice to the effect that the German passenger and cargo fleet be placed at the disposition of the Associated Governments and that Germany be required to furnish a complete list of all ships already constructed or in course of completion. These ships were to be controlled and operated by the Allied Maritime Transport Council. In this way German tonnage would be made available for the supply not only of Germany but of Europe.
Mr. Balfour stated that although he was not fully cognizant of the matter, he desired to make certain comments on the proposal now before the Council, in accordance with a request which Lord Reading had made of him just before the meeting.
Mr. Balfour explained that it was Lord Reading’s earnest conviction that this procedure should not be adopted. He recommended that every method should be employed to secure their ships without making use of force. He urged, as a matter of policy, that the transaction should be a voluntary one and that the matter should be placed before the German delegates in this way: “If you want food, then turn over your ships.” Lord Beading thought that it would be most unwise to add a new provision to the Armistice.
M. Clementel advanced various arguments to show the absolute necessity for the Allies to secure German tonnage if they were to carry through any comprehensive plan for World Relief.
Mr. Bonar Law stated that Mr. Hoover estimated that 200,000 tons of corn and 70,000 tons of meat should be delivered to Germany every month. It was estimated that this would require 800,000 tons of shipping, which the Associated Governments did not have available for the purpose. According to our present advices, there were now some two and a half million tons of German shipping which were not in use. Therefore, he proposed that the Associated Governments should ask the German Government to accord them the power to administer and use the German tonnage so as to be in a position not only to feed Germany but the rest of Europe as well.
President Wilson suggested that a convention for this purpose be immediately negotiated with Germany.
Mr. Bonar Law remarked that the Allies had already tried to do so, but had failed. Consequently, the Associated Governments had no alternative but to make use of the renewal of the Armistice as a means to secure German compliance with their wishes.
Marshal Foch recalled that on December 13th he had discussed the question of the use of German ships with Erzberger, who had given his consent, provided the ships and their crews remained German. [Page 528] It was explained that the matter had gone no further at that time. It was out of the question to permit the German flag upon the seas until after Peace was signed.
M. Clemenceau thought it only just that the Germans should be forced to comply with the wishes of the Allies.
M. Clementel observed that Austria-Hungary was required to turn over her ships to the Associated Governments.
Mr. Lloyd George remarked that the Germans had sunk fifteen million tons of British shipping, and it was only just that they should be required to make their tonnage available to the Allies.
President Wilson proposed that the technical experts be directed to make every effort to conclude a satisfactory arrangement for the use of German shipping with the German representatives direct. But, if the Germans do not agree, the technical experts should advise Marshal Foch, who is authorized to make the arrangement a condition of the renewal of the Armistice.
IV
M. Klotz submitted suggestions regarding the method of payment for supplies and recommended that the debt which Germany would incur, should be carried as part of the general indemnity which Germany would have to pay.
Mr. Bonar Law gave it as his opinion that the debt should not be considered as an addition to a general indemnity, but that it should be made a just charge to be paid right away.
In reply to an inquiry as to the probable amount of this debt, M. Clementel stated that it was estimated, taking Mr. Hoover’s figures as regards requirements as a basis, that it would amount to four and one half billion francs per year, or as Mr. Bonar Law stated, twelve million sterling per month.
M. Clementel explained that he fully appreciated Mr. Bonar Law’s point of view. But he thought it his duty, especially in the absence of a Belgian representative, to point out that there might be other debts which Germany should be called upon to pay before she was permitted to make use of her existing resources for the payment for food. He, therefore, suggested that the Associated Governments should come to some special agreement in this regard within a week and decide the question.
President Wilson pointed out that “So long as hunger gnaws, foundations of governments crumble.” Consequently, he believed that it was imperative to act now. A decision could not be delayed. It was more than a question of feeding Germany or a question of how she would pay; it was a question of Bolshevism.
[Page 529]M. Klotz stated that he did not think it right that the Germans should be permitted to pay for their food with money which they already owed for the reparation of the damages to France and Belgium.
The President observed that the Allies did not expect to pay for the food which they now proposed to send to Germany. Germany must pay, not only for the food, but also for the damages which she has inflicted on the Allies. If the Allies, however, did not feed Germany, she would be unable to pay any indemnity at all.
M. Klotz suggested limiting the arrangement to a period of two months.
Mr. Bonar Law pointed out that, in essence, it was a question of principle, and that the Council had now to decide whether or not this new debt of Germany should have priority.
It was finally agreed that the new debt should be considered as having priority, and any arrangement with the Germans regarding food supplies was to continue for two months, when any one of the Associated Governments should have the right to reopen the matter.
V
Marshal Foch submitted a clause to be inserted in the Armistice regarding the restitution of material stolen from French or Belgian territory. The Germans were to be required not only to restore machines and parts of machines, but also to furnish all the necessary information, papers, etc., to enable French and Belgian inspectors to locate this material in Germany. The information was to be furnished by February 15, 1919.
Mr. Lloyd George understood that this new clause was to be considered as an interpretation of Article XIX of the Armistice.
President Wilson considered that this was a very hopeful Article and inquired how this material was to be found and how identified.
M. Clementel explained that the French Government knew that the Germans had kept a careful record of every machine they had stolen and he mentioned certain large machine tools which had been taken from Lille and which were now in a certain shop in the works at Essen. He did not think that there would be any difficulty in locating the material in question.
Mr. Lloyd George inquired whether it was the intention of the French Government to demand a reparation in kind.
M. Clementel stated that France did not desire reparation in kind. France desired reparation in cash, and would herself restore the damage or use the cash for the purchase of the material necessary for restoration in Allied countries.
[Page 530]President Wilson saw no objection to the proposed demand on the German Government or the understanding that they should be required to restore only such machines, etc., as could be identified.
VI
It was pointed out that Germany had failed to execute the obligation to deliver certain ships (Article XXX of the Armistice). About 35 had not yet left Germany. Reference was also made to the claims advanced by the Germans that they were to supervise the repairs to these ships. It was not considered advisable to admit this claim.
Mr. Lloyd George suggested that Marshal Foch should call the attention of the German delegates to their failure to observe the terms of the Armistice in this respect, and press them for the delivery of the ships. Mr. Lloyd George believed that the Marshal could extract a definite promise from the Germans in this regard.
The Council concurred in this suggestion and Marshal Foch was instructed accordingly.