Paris Peace Conf. 180.03401/10
CF–10
Notes of a Meeting Held at President Wilson’s House in the Place des Etats-Unis, Paris, on Monday, May 12, at 3:30 p.m.
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Present
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United States of America
- President Wilson.
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France
- M. Clemenceau.
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British Empire
- The Right Hon. D. Lloyd George, M. P.
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Italy
- M. Orlando.
- Baron Sonnino.
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United States of America
| Sir Maurice Hankey, K. C. B. | } | secretaries. |
| Count Aldrovandi | ||
| M. Mantoux—Interpreter. | ||
1. M. Loucheur was introduced.
Further Revision of Article 430 of the German Treaty With reference to C. F. 6, Minute 4,1 M. Loucheur drew attention to the revised edition of Article 430 of the German Treaty as approved by the Supreme Council of the principal Allied and Associated Powers on May 10th, which reads as follows:—
“In case either during the occupation or after the expiration of the fifteen years referred to above, the Reparation Commission finds that Germany refuses to observe the whole or part of her obligations under Part VIII (Reparation) of the present Treaty, the whole or part of the areas specified in Article 429 will be re-occupied immediately by the Allied and Associated Forces.”
He pointed out that some portions of the Reparation Clauses were scattered through the Treaty, and not included in Part VIII. He therefore asked for the omission of the words “under Part VIII”.
(It was agreed that the words “under Part VIII (Reparation) of the present Treaty” should be omitted, and that the following should be substituted:—“For reparation as provided in the present Treaty”. Article 430 of the Treaty should therefore read as follows:—
“In case either during the occupation or after the expiration of the fifteen years referred to above, the Reparation Commission finds that Germany refuses to observe the whole or part of her obligations for reparation as provided in the present Treaty, the whole or part of the areas specified in Article 429 will be re-occupied immediately by the Allied and Associated Forces.”
(The words underlined2 show the alteration in the last draft.)
[Page 577]2. Publication of the Treaty of Peace Mr. Lloyd George said that there was a demand from the British Parliament for the Treaty of Peace to be laid on the Table of the House. He had replied that he must consult his colleagues before he could possibly consent. Mr. Bonar Law had given his view that as a summary had been published, the inference would be drawn if the Treaty was not published that the summary was inaccurate.
M. Clemenceau said he had already refused to lay the Treaty, both to the Senate and the House of Representatives.
M. Orlando said he did not like publication, as it made it so much more difficult to make changes.
M. Sonnino agreed with this view.
President Wilson said that he could not lay the Treaty before the Senate until he returned to the United States.
(It was agreed that the text of the Treaty of Peace as handed to the Germans should not be laid before the legislatures of the Allied & Associated Powers.)
(M. Loucheur withdrew.)
3. The Expedition to Smyrna President Wilson asked what was the decision of his Italian colleagues in regard to the questions put to them that morning.
M. Orlando said he accepted in principle. He thought it might be preferable to leave the troops of the Principal Powers on shore, and not to withdraw the British, French and Italian detachments, pending the final decision as to the disposal of Smyrna. That was the only alteration he asked for.
President Wilson said that the landing parties from the British and French ships would not exceed 200.
Mr. Lloyd George said that the British detachment would not exceed 50.
M. Sonnino said that their retention on shore would give the expedition an international character.
M. Clemenceau asked who would have the command?
Mr. Lloyd George said the Greeks.
President Wilson agreed that the command must be Greek, since Greece disposed of by far the largest force.
M. Clemenceau thought it unsuitable to place the troops of the Principal Allied Powers under Greek command. Nothing could be more to the point than the decision taken today that the landing was without prejudice to the ultimate disposal of Smyrna in the Treaty of Peace.
President Wilson thought it undesirable to leave handfuls of men on shore.
[Page 578]Mr. Lloyd George said that Sir George Riddell’s correspondent, of whom he had spoken in the morning, had himself seen Turkish troops firing at Greeks, and had seen two quite harmless people shot. There had been no rebellion or provocation.
President Wilson considered a continued joint occupation unwise.
M. Orlando said he would not insist.
Mr. Lloyd George asked whether the Turks would now be told?
President Wilson said they would be told 12 hours before the movement took place.
Mr. Lloyd George asked if the Greeks could leave at once?
President Wilson said he understood that they could. Cavalla was only 24 hours distant.
M. Sonnino asked if the ships were already assembled?
Mr. Lloyd George said that this was the case. The decision had been taken more than a week ago.
(It was agreed:—That the Greek force should start from Cavalla as soon as ready, and that an Italian detachment should take part in the landing of Allied forces.
Sir Maurice Hankey was instructed to communicate this decision to the British naval authorities for the information of Admiral Calthorpe, and to M. Venizelos.)
Villa Majestic, Paris, May 12, 1919.