Paris Peace Conf. 180.03501/58
HD–58
Notes of a Meeting of the Heads of Delegations of the Five Great
Powers Held in M. Pichon’s Room at the Quai d’Orsay, Paris, on Monday,
September 22, 1919, at 11 a.m.
Paris, September 22, 1919, 11 a.m.
- Present
- America, United States of
- Secretary
- British Empire
- Secretary
- France
- Secretaries
- M. Dutasta
- M. Berthelot
- M. de Saint Quentin
- Italy
- Secretary
- Japan
- Secretary
| Joint Secretariat |
| America, United States of |
Mr. C. Russell |
| British Empire |
Captain Hinchley-Cooke |
| France |
M. Massigli |
| Italy |
Lieutenant de Carlo |
| Interpreter—M.
Camerlynck |
The following were also present for the items in which they were
concerned:
- America, United States of
- General Bliss
- Mr. A. Dulles
- British Empire
- General Sackville-West
- Hon. H. Nicolson
- Mr. Carr
- Lt. Col. Kisch
- France
- M. Cambon
- M. Laroche
- General Le Rond
- M. Tardieu
- M. Hermite
- Colonel Roye
- Italy
- M. Castoldi
- M. Galli
- M. Brambilla
- M. Dell’Abhadessa
[Page 300]
1. M. Tardieu read the joint proposal of the
British and American representatives upon the Central Territorial
Committee, who had asked their French and Italian colleagues to agree to
the line of demarcation of the zones of Western Thrace, which could be
occupied by the Greek Army and by the other Allied Military Forces (see
Appendix A). Occupation of Western Thrace by
Inter-Allied Troops
He proposed to alter the last paragraph in the following manner:
“The zones of occupation thus fixed do not prejudice in any
degree attribution of territory either to Greece or to the
International State.”
This proposition was accepted.
(It was decided to accept the text (see appendix A as modified).
2. M. Cambon said that the Commissions for
Polish and Czechoslovak affairs had submitted for the approval of the
Council a plan for the organization of the plebiscite in the Districts
of Teschen, Spisz and Orava. The Commissions were unanimous in proposing
the addition to Article 4, first paragraph, of the following: Plebiscite in the Duchy of Teschen, and in the
Districts of Spisz (Spis) and Orava
“and in any event within a maximum period of three months after
modification of the present decision as foreseen by Article 9.”
(See Appendix B.)
He read a letter which he had received from M. Benes (See appendix C)
asking that the arrangements for the plebiscite include special
provisions concerning the right of option of the populations in the
territory where the plebiscite was to be held. The Commission in
agreement with the Drafting Committee thought that the question raised
by M. Benes ought not to be dealt with in the draft which was submitted
for the approval of the Council. It was for the Allied and Associated
Powers to enter into such agreements with Poland and Czecho-Slovakia,
after the plebiscite had taken place, as appeared to them necessary, and
to take such steps as they considered advisable as regarded the right of
option of the population. The Commission desired to call attention to
the urgent need of sending an Inter-Allied Commission, and for
Inter-Allied occupation of the country where the plebiscite was to take
place.
Sir E. Crowe said that he had no objection to
the report of the Commission, but he desired to state that the British
Military authorities disapproved of occupation by small forces from
several of the Allied States. They believed that it would be far more
advantageous, if the powers divided the zones of occupation, and each
Power were charged with the occupation of a particular zone. The
question had been discussed by the Chief of the Imperial General Staff
and by
[Page 301]
General Weygand. The
French Military Representative thought that the resolution already taken
by the Supreme Council prevented a discussion of the problem as a
whole.1 Under these circumstances he suggested that
the Council reconsider its former decision and authorize the Military
Representatives at Versailles to discuss the matter. It would be
necessary to give the Military Authorities full latitude.
General Le Rond said that at the meeting of
August 25 between General Weygand, representing Marshal Foch, Field
Marshal Sir H. Wilson and General Bliss the subject of the organization
of the Inter-Allied Armies of Occupation had been discussed. The
occupation of the Klagenfurt Basin and of Thrace had been foreseen, but
not the occupation of Teschen. Under these conditions they had estimated
that five Divisions would be sufficient. The Army of Occupation could be
Inter-Allied. The contingents of each of the Powers would be autonomous
and the Supreme Command designated by the Supreme Council. General
Weygand, acting for Marshal Foch, had maintained that the Allies had a
collective responsibility. The occupation would be an Inter-Allied
occupation everywhere. He had considered the political view. For reasons
of a practical nature the British Representative on the other hand
believed that the occupation of a fixed zone should be confided to a
single power. England would occupy the Balkan territory, France, Upper
Silesia, Italy, the Klagenfurt Basin and America, Dédéagatch. He wished
to add that, in view of the recent decisions of the Supreme Council, the
occupation of Klagenfurt and of Dédéagatch no longer entered into the
question. On the other hand, General Bliss, who was present at the
Conference, had made no communication exposing the American point of
view.
Sir E. Crowe said that the British Military
Authorities felt so strongly that they hesitated to send troops to any
part of the world, until this principle had been settled.
Mr. Polk asked whether there was any provision
in the Treaty on the subject of occupation.
Sir E. Crowe replied that there was no such
clause, insofar as Inter-Allied occupation was concerned.
Mr. Polk asked whether the question had been
considered by the Military Authorities at Versailles.
Sir E. Crowe said that he believed that the
question had not been considered. The Military Authorities were not in a
position to examine the question in view of the previous decision of the
Council.
Mr. Polk said that the question could be
referred to the Military Representatives again as an open question for
report on the advantages of the two systems.
[Page 302]
M. Berthelot said that the Treaty with Germany
provided for occupation by Inter-Allied Military Forces. There was an
obvious necessity. It was evident, from what had taken place in Boumania
and Hungary, that a single power, which had been in fact only the
mouthpiece of the decisions of the Council, could be given by public
opinion the entire responsibility. It was the Conference which took the
responsibility and it was therefore absolutely necessary that the
responsibility should be divided, in the same manner as the
authority.
Mr. Polk said that he realized that the
question had a political importance, but in certain cases, and the case
of Teschen was one, there was no political difficulty to be feared. It
was absurd from a practical point of view to send a mixed contingent
from three different Powers. This entailed a special organization for
provisioning each contingent and created a complicated situation. He
asked whether it would not be possible for a single Power to represent
in the District of Teschen. Dantzig would be occupied by a naval Power,
but on the other hand, the occupation in Silesia would be
Inter-Allied.
M. Berthelot said that he laid great weight on
the moral side of the question and that to decide that the occupation of
a certain territory should be entrusted to the troops of a single power
was equivalent to creating a sphere of influence to the advantage of
that Power. The equilibrium between the Powers would be far better
maintained by a joint occupation. He thought that a formula could be
found by which the great majority of the troops could be furnished by a
single Power, and that the other Powers would be represented in the
Inter-Allied forces by officers.
Mr. Polk said a result of this nature could be
reached. The Inter-Allied representation would be assured by delegates
of the Powers in the Commissions for which the Treaty provided. These
Commissions would each have an escort furnished by their countries; the
main part of the forces of occupation would remain furnished by a single
power.
General Le Bond said that there was no
particular difficulty in the case of Teschen. It should be remembered
that the District of Teschen was adjacent to Upper Silesia, which was to
be occupied by two divisions. The troops sent to Teschen could easily be
rationed from Upper Silesia.
Mr. Polk said that he believed that Mr. Balfour
had never admitted the principle of the Inter-Allied occupation of Upper
Silesia.
M. Berthelot said that Mr. Balfour had raised
the question, but he had never formally pronounced himself against
Inter-Allied occupation. He (M. Berthelot) wished to again emphasize the
importance of not creating a sphere of influence or zones of action in
which one Power was particularly interested.
[Page 303]
Sir E. Crowe said that he agreed on this point,
but he wished to add that the zones of occupation were under the
authority of Inter-Allied Commissions. It was these Commissions which
were responsible; the troops placed at their disposal were only police
forces. The principle of joint responsibility was clearly
safeguarded.
M. Berthelot said that so far as Upper Silesia
was concerned the treaty called for Inter-Allied occupation. If this
occupation were confided to the troops of a single Power, there was a
danger that the Germans would have cause for complaint. In addition, the
Supreme Council had taken a definite resolution on this subject on 8th
August. It had specified at that time that Marshal Foch, in agreement
with the Allied General Staffs should weigh, on the one hand, the
advantage to be gained by representation by all the Allies in all the
forces of occupation, and, on the other, the disadvantages which might
result both from eventual differences between soldiers of Allied
contingents as well as from difficulties in connection with the
provisioning of each force. Marshal Foch was to present a report on the
subject to the Supreme Council.
Mr. Polk asked whether the report had been
sent.
M. Berthelot replied that it had been sent and
distributed.
Sir Eyre Crowe said that the date of the report
was a matter of importance. He asked whether the force, whose
organization had been discussed at that time, had not been intended, not
for the mere occupation of Upper Silesia, but for the purpose of driving
out the Germans.
M. Berthelot said that it was a question of the
Peace Treaty.
General, Le Rond said that it was agreed that
the total strength should be two divisions (four brigades), and that
each of the Powers was to furnish a brigade. Each brigade would be
assigned to a special sector. The practical difficulties which might
arise would therefore be less difficult to deal with. In addition, the
Allied and Associated Powers would be complying with the terms of the
Treaty and the principle of joint responsibility would be
safeguarded.
Sir Eyre Crowe said that the Treaty with
Germany provided for the occupation of Upper Silesia by troops of the
Allied and Associated Powers, but that that did not necessarily mean by
troops of all the Allied and Associated Powers. The troops of a single
Power could in fact act as the troops of the Allied and Associated
Powers.
M. Berthelot said that to admit this would be
to put the text of the treaty on the rack.
Sir Eyre Crowe said that he did not agree, nor
did he see why it would not be necessary to send Japanese troops as
well.
General Le Rond said that Japan was not
represented on the Commission for the occupation of Upper Silesia.
[Page 304]
M. Pichon said that the appendix to Article 88
of the Treaty of Peace provided that Japan should not be represented on
this Commission. It might be possible to refer the question again to the
military representatives at Versailles pointing out to them that they
should take note both of the text of the Treaty, which could not be
changed, and of the views of the British delegation.
M. Berthelot said that in the meeting of the
Supreme Council of August 8th, Mr. Balfour had not opposed the system of
Inter-Allied occupation. He had merely pointed out the difficulties of
provisioning an Inter-Allied force and proposed that the General Staffs
study a system of compensation by which England, for example, could
furnish a larger portion of the Inter-Allied contingent along the coast,
and a smaller one in Upper Silesia. The total strength of the force
furnished by each of the Allies would remain the same. It was only the
redistribution in the zones of occupation which would change. He wished
to repeat that it was most important not to put the material and
political questions on the same footing and that the difficulties ought
not be exaggerated. The political question was of extreme importance. It
was necessary that the, responsibility should be supported equally by
all and that no spheres of influence, where one nation would benefit
more than another, should be created. There were possibly districts,
where the difficulties, as well as the possible advantages, were greater
than in others, and it was not possible to admit the principle that a
single nation should be in occupation there. As far as the material
question was concerned, he thought that it could be solved without much
difficulty. As an example, where difficulties and responsibility had
fallen upon a single Power he wished to cite the example of Bulgaria.
The French had acted as a police force of the Allies and they were the
only ones who had incurred expense and burdens. England had expressed
the intention of coming to the assistance of France, but France had
received nothing beyond the offer of forty Hindu soldiers. He understood
that so far as the United States was concerned, there were serious moral
and material difficulties, but he believed strongly that it was
advisable for the Great Powers to be together in the same zones.
M. Cambon said that it was important to
remember that in the eyes of the people the International Commissions
did not count and that it was the military command, and that only which
in their eyes was responsible. He wished to recall to Sir Eyre Crowe’s
mind, without any intention to criticize, an incident in history. In a
certain century a distinguished prisoner2 had been placed under the surveillance
[Page 305]
of an Inter-Allied
Commission, in which even France was represented, but it was England
which was charged with the custody of the prisoner and it was England
which bore the weight of the responsibility.
Sir Eyre Crowe said that the two cases were not
quite the same, for here the Council was dealing with a part of Germany.
He understood in regard to the question before the Council that the
military representatives at Versailles were limited by a decision of the
Supreme Council. If the question were again referred to Versailles, no
result would be reached unless the former resolution of the Council were
modified. It was necessary to authorize the military representatives to
study the matter as an open question and to ask them to make a
report.
M. Berthelot agreed, but said that the question
of principle would first have to be regulated. The military
representatives at Versailles were not in position to decide. It was for
the Supreme Council to give instructions when a decision had been made
as to whether or not the occupation was to be Inter-Allied, the
contingents from the various powers being proportioned according to some
system to be devised.
M. Pichon said that the Versailles Council had
never studied this question. The subject had been examined in a special
conference between General Weygand, representing Marshal Foch,
Field-Marshal H. Wilson and General Bliss. He suggested that no decision
be taken until Sir Eyre Crowe had had an opportunity of consulting his
Government and receiving new instructions.
It was decided:
- (1)
- to accept the joint report of the Polish and Czecho-Slovak
Commissions in regard to the plebiscite in the Duchy of Teschen,
and in the districts of Spis and Orava;
- (2)
- to add at the end of the first paragraph of article 4,
respecting the plebiscite at Teschen, the following:
“(within the shortest possible time …) and, in any event,
within a maximum period of three months after
notification of the present decision as foreseen by
Article 9”;
- (3)
- that the members of the Inter-Allied Commission charged with
organizing the plebiscite should not be chosen from among the
members of the Inter-Allied Commission now at Teschen;
- (4)
- that members of the Inter-Allied Commission be nominated as
soon as possible, with the reservation that the American
representatives would only participate unofficially until the
Treaty was ratified by the United States Senate.
3. Colonel Roye read and commented upon the
procès verbal of the meeting held on August 28th by the Inter-Allied
Commission charged
[Page 306]
with fixing
the rate of commutation to be allowed the officers serving on the
Commission of Control at Berlin. (See Appendix D.) Allowance for Inter-Allied Commission of Control Germany
M. Scialoja said that he accepted the proposals
of the Commission in regard to the amount of pay, but he wished to see
the principle established that officers of the same rank belonging to
different armies should draw the same pay while serving on this mission,
and not receive during this time the pay provided by the regulations of
the army to which they belonged.
Mr. Polk said that the United States had no
officers in this Commission and had therefore not taken a part in the
discussion, but he desired to place himself on record as saying that he
did not agree with the principle that Germany should pay the difference
between the different rates of pay of officers of the same rank.
Sir Eyre Crowe said that the question of
principle was very important and that the Italian proposal raised great
difficulties. In fixing the rates of pay it would be necessary to
consider the customs and manner of living in different countries.
M. Scialoja said that this was true, but that
in this case it was a question only of officers who were called upon to
live in thq same country.
M. Pichon said that he would find it difficult
to accept the Italian proposal. There was another point which should be
made definite. The rates of pay had been fixed in marks. He asked what
would happen if the rate of the mark rose.
General Rote replied that the Commission had
agreed that if the rate of the mark changed, the scale of pay would be
revised.
M. Pichon said that in view of this and because
it was not a question of the gold mark, a fixed rate for the mark should
be established.
Sir Eyre Crowe pointed out that it was not a
question of the rate, but of prices prevailing in Germany. It was these
prices which should fix the amount of the rates of pay in question.
It was decided:
- (1)
- that the proposals of the Inter-Allied Commission charged with
fixing the rate of commutation to be allowed to the personnel
serving on the Commissions of Control should be accepted,
and
- (2)
- that the scale of pay should be altered every three months
according to the economic conditions of the cost of living in
Berlin.
4. M. Scialoja said that it had been announced
that French troops would evacuate Koritza at the end of the month of
September. There would be serious inconveniences, unless this city were
occupied after the departure of the French troops. Evacuation of Koritza by French Troops
M. Pichon said that the evacuation had been
decided upon, but that no date had been fixed, and that for this reason
it was not necessary for the Council to discuss the question.
[Page 307]
5. M. Berthelot said that M. Benes was most
anxious that the question of the repatriation of Czech troops in Siberia
should be finally settled. He was leaving on that day. The question was
an important one for if the things existing was allowed to continue
Bolshevik propaganda would make headway among these troops. Public
opinion in Czecho-Slovakia attached great importance to the repatriation
of the troops in question. There were a number of difficulties, but if
the repatriation could be begun it would have a very good effect. The
Czechs were endeavoring to obtain the necessary tonnage from Japan, but
they were in doubt as to whether they would be able to succeed. On the
other hand, they did not have the means of making payment at
Vladivostock to cover the cost of transportation of these troops. They
had asked the British government to advance the amount necessary, just
as France had advanced the cost of the maintenance of these troops in
Siberia. It was for Great Britain and the United States to regulate the
question of tonnage. M. Benes did not ask for a definite reply. It would
be sufficient if he could be told that the subject was being favorably
considered by the two Governments. Repatriation of
Czecho-Slovak Troops From Siberia
Mr. Polk said that he was not able to give a
definite reply on that day. He had suggested to Washington that the
American Government undertake a third of the expenses of repatriation,
the two thirds being paid by Great Britain and France.3 In
regard to ships, there were the German ships which had been used for the
repatriation of American troops. The use to which these ships could now
be put would have to be decided by the Supreme Economic Council, or by
the Maritime Transport Council at London. He felt that the United States
had a great responsibility, and he would do everything on his part to
secure a solution of the matter which would satisfy the Czechs.
Sir Eyre Crowe said that the British Government
would advance the money necessary for the cost of repatriation by sea.
The British Government had accepted the principle and there were only
questions of detail to be settled.
M. Berthelot suggested that in view of the
political importance of the question, Sir Eyre Crowe should point out to
his Government the importance of bringing the matter to the attention of
the Maritime Transport Council.
Sir Eyre Crowe said that the question was
somewhat delicate. The French and British Governments had not come to an
agreement as to the use to which the ships which had become available
should be put.
M. Berthelot said that in view of the
importance of the political interests at stake, he did not doubt but
that the French Government
[Page 308]
would make every effort to reach a solution which would make it possible
to give the Czechs satisfaction.
Sir Eyre CrowH said that the British Government
shared this view.
Mr. Polk said that he would not cease to
emphasize the political importance of the question.
6. M. Pichon said that the declaration by the
Allied Associated Governments had required of the German Government in
regard to Article 61 of the German Constitution would be signed that
afternoon at Versailles, at four o’clock. German
Reply in regard to Article 61 of the German Constitution
(The meeting then adjourned.)
Appendix A to HD–58
[Joint Proposal of the British and American
Representatives Upon the Central Territorial Committee Concerning
the Occupation of Western Thrace by Allied Troops]
[Same as appendix B to HD–57, printed on page
279.]
Appendix B to HD–58
Text of Resolution Proposed to the
Supreme Council by the Committee on Execution of the Treaty
Relative to the Organization of the Plebiscite in Teschen,
Spisz, and Orava
Translation4
The United States of America, the British Empire, France, Italy and
Japan, Principal Allied and Associated Powers,
Anxious to place the Duchy of Teschen and the territories of Spisz
and Orava, as they are delimited below, under a sovereignty in
conformity with the wishes of the inhabitants;
Have resolved to proceed there to a popular consultation offering all
the necessary guarantees of loyalty and sincerity;
And have decided what follows:
I
Within the territories which, on April 1, 1914, constituted the Duchy
of Teschen and within the territories of Spisz and Orava, as they
are delimited below, the inhabitants shall be called to designate
[Page 309]
by suffrage if they
desire to be united to Poland or to the Czechoslovak State.
- 1.
- —Region of Spisz.
- a)
- All the communes of the political district of
Starawies (Szepesofaiu or Altendorf).
- b)
- The communes on the part of the Kesmark district (Kiez
Mark) which are North-West of the waterline between the
basins of the Dunajec and the Poprad, including the
communes whose territory is crossed by that line.
- 2.
- —Region of Orava.
All the communes of the political district of Trszciana (Trzciana)
and of Nameszto (Namiestow).
II
The territories mentioned in paragraph I, shall be placed under the
authority of an International Commission charged with the
provisional impartial administration and the organization of the
plebiscite.
Those territories, at a date fixed by the Commission, shall be
evacuated by the Polish and Czecho-Slovak troops, which may be there
and shall be occupied, in whole or in part, by the troops of the
Principal Allied and Associated Powers.
The Commission shall have its seat at Teschen and shall be composed
of the representatives of the Principal Allied and Associated
Powers, one representative per Power.
Its decisions shall be taken by majority vote, the President having
the casting vote.
The Polish and Czecho-Slovak Governments are asked to each appoint
one representative to that Commission with a consulting vote.
The Commission shall have full powers to decide all questions which
might be raised by the execution of the present decision. It shall
have the assistance of technical advisors chosen by it among the
local population.
III
The Commission shall have the necessary powers allowing it to insure
the maintenance of public order and the regular administration of
the country. For that purpose it shall have at its disposal the
troops of occupation, and, if it deems it advisable, a police
recruited from the native inhabitants of the country.
It shall be within the jurisdiction of the Commission to interpret
itself the powers which shall be entrusted to it and to determine in
what measure it shall exercise them and in what measure these powers
can be left in the hands of the existing local authorities.
[Page 310]
IV
The Commission shall organize the plebiscite in conformity with the
provisions of the present decision and shall proceed to it within
the least possible time.
It shall take all the measures necessary to insure the liberty, the
sincerity and the secrecy of the vote. It can notably pronounce the
expulsion of any agitator or of any person who might have, in any
way, tried to falsify the result of the plebiscite by corruption or
intimidation.
V
The right of suffrage shall be granted to any person, without
distinction of sex, who shall fulfill the following conditions:
- a)
- To be twenty years of age on January 1, 1919;
- b)
- To have his domicile or denizenship (Heimatsrecht) in the
region submitted to the plebiscite prior to August 1,
1914;
The persons exercising a public function or having, as officials,
acquired the right of denizenship shall not be permitted to
vote.
Persons condemned for political misdemeanor previous to November 3,
1918, might be granted the right to vote.
Each one shall vote in the commune where he is domiciled or in which
he has the right of denizenship.
The result of the vote shall be determined by commune, according to
the majority of votes in each commune.
VI
At the closing of the vote the number of votes in each commune shall
be communicated by the Commission to the Principal Allied and
Associated Powers together with a detailed report on the operations
of the vote and a proposal for the trace which should be adopted as
frontier between Poland and the Czecho-Slovak State, taking into
account the wish expressed by the inhabitants as well as the
geographic and economic situation of the localities. Besides, the
Commission shall inform the Principal Allied and Associated Powers
of the conditions in which an economic accord between Poland and the
Czecho-Slovak State shall henceforth insure to both countries the
communications and the supply of coal to the best of their
respective interests.
VII
As soon as the frontier shall have been fixed by the Principal Allied
and Associated Powers, they shall notify Poland or the Czecho-Slovak
State, as the case may be, that their authorities have to take in
hand the administration of the territory which has been recognized
as being
[Page 311]
Polish or
Czecho-Slovak; the said authorities shall proceed then within the
month following that notification and in the manner prescribed by
the Principal Allied and Associated Powers.
As soon as the administration of the country shall have been thus
insured by the Polish or Czecho-Slovak authorities, according to the
case, the powers of the Commission shall come to an end.
VIII
The costs of the army of occupation and the expenditures of the
Commission, as well for its functioning as for the administration of
the zone, shall be borne by Poland and by the Czecho-Slovak State in
proportion of the area of the territories which, according to the
plebiscite, shall be recognized as placed under the sovereignty of
Poland or of Czecho-Slovakia; the distribution shall be made by the
Commission.
IX
The present decision shall be announced within a week to the Polish
Government and to the Czecho-Slovak Government by the Government of
the French Republic.
Given at Paris, this 1919.
Appendix C to HD–58
czecho-slovak
ministry of foreign
affairs
Translation
From: Edward Benes, Minister of Foreign Affairs,
To: Monsieur Dutasta, Secretary General of the Peace
Conference, Paris.
I have the honor to send you herewith the text of a supplementary
article to the Regulation concerning the execution of the plebiscite
in Teschen Silesia, which I request you to transmit to the
Territorial Commission. I am very anxious that this article be taken
into consideration when it comes to the final settlement of the
conditions under which the plebiscite will be carried out in Teschen
Silesia.
I take the liberty of adding at the same time the copy of a plan of
regulation concerning the same subject, that I have submitted to the
Territorial Commission under the presidency of M. Jules Cambon,
containing the conditions under which the Czecho-Slovak Delegation
accepted the principle of the plebiscite in Teschen Silesia.
[Page 312]
[Enclosure]
regulation concerning the execution of the
plebiscite in teschen silesia
Supplement Proposed by
Czecho-Slovakia
#14
The inhabitants of Teschen Silesia shall enjoy the right of option
provided by Article 80 of the Peace Treaty of St. Germain, with the
sole change that the period of six months fixed by the said article
shall begin, for them, with the definite assignment of their
country.
Consideration
By the provisions of Section VI, Part III, of the Peace Treaty with
Austria, there is no doubt that the population of Teschen Silesia
will have, after the final assignment of this country, the right to
opt either for Poland or for Czecho-Slovakia. Now, it is not Article
79, but Article 80, that will be applicable to the exercise of this
right; but as the said article provides for the exercise of option
during the six months following the entrance into force of the
Treaty of St. Germain, and as the definite assignment of Silesia may
not take place until after this date, it is important to insert in
the regulation of the Silesian plebiscite the amendment proposed
above.
Summary
- 1.
- Fundamental provision stipulating that the population of the
former Duchy of Teschen shall be called upon to name the State
to which they wish to be attached.
- 2.
- Evacuation of the territory by Polish and Czech-Slovak troops,
disbanding of military and semi-military clubs existing in this
territory. Occupation of the territory by interallied
troops.
- 3.
- Establishment of an international Plebiscite
Commission.
- 4.
- Powers of the said Commission.
- 5.
- Definition of the persons having the right to vote.
- 6.
- Drawing up the lists of voters.
- 7.
- Provision for the place of voting.
- 8.
- Establishment of local plebiscite commissions.
- 9.
- Method of balloting.
- 10.
- Determining the results of the plebiscite.
- 11.
- Decision of the Principal Allied and Associated Powers.
- 12.
- Consequence regarding the resumption of authority by the
governments concerned.
[Page 313]
REGULATION CONCERNING THE EXECUTION OF THE PLEBISCITE
IN TESCHEN SILESIA
# 1
In order to ascertain the will of the population of Teschen Silesia
concerning its union with one of the states concerned (Czecho-Slovak
or Polish), the inhabitants shall be called upon by vote to declare
whether they desire to be attached to Czecho-Slovakia or Poland.
# 2
As soon as this decision of the Supreme Council goes into force, and
within a period not to exceed 15 days, the Czecho-Slovak and Polish
troops shall evacuate the aforesaid territory.
All the military and semi-military clubs (militia, etc.) formed in
said territory by the inhabitants of the country shall be
immediately disbanded and disarmed. Those members of said clubs not
domiciled in said territory shall evacuate it. The entire country
shall be occupied immediately by interallied troops.
# 3
The country shall be placed immediately under the authority of an
international Commission of 3 members, whose president shall be
appointed by the Principal Allied and Associated Powers, the
Czechoslovak member by the Government at Prague and the Polish
member by the Government at Warsaw, both to be members of the
present Polish-Czecho-Slovak Commission on Teschen.
# 4
The Commission shall enjoy all the powers exercised by the
Czechoslovak Government or the Polish Government (Rzad krajowy), except in matters of legislation or taxes.
It shall, moreover, be substituted for the Government of the country
as it was on October 28, 1918. All subsequent changes shall be
declared null and void.
The Commission shall itself have competence to interpret the powers
conferred on it by the present regulations, and to determine in what
degree it shall exercise these powers and in what degree they shall
be left in the hands of the existing authorities.
Order shall be maintained by the Commission, with the assistance of
the troops, which shall be at its disposal, and, as far as it shall
judge necessary, it shall be assisted by the police recruited from
the natives of the country. The communal police and the
gendarmerieshall be maintained.
[Page 314]
The Commission shall provide at once for the replacement of the
authorities of the country, and if necessary give orders for the
evacuation and proceed to the replacement of local authorities. In
case this evacuation should not be possible the Commission is to
take the necessary measures to prevent the officials from abusing
their official position to influence the vote.
It shall take all necessary measures to insure the freedom, sincerity
and secrecy of the vote. It shall, notably, have the power to order
the expulsion of any person who may in any way whatever attempt to
falsify the result of the plebiscite by maneuvers of corruption or
intimidation.
The Commission shall have full power to pronounce on all questions to
which the execution of the present conditions may give rise. It
shall call to its assistance technical councillors which it will
choose from among the local population.
The decisions of the Commission shall be taken by majority vote.
To avoid complications arising from the fact that there are two
different monetary systems in the country, the use of the respective
coinage shall be maintained in the present zones “west and east of
the present line of demarcation”. No one shall be compelled to
accept bank notes in use in the other zone.
# 5
The vote shall take place within two months after the present
decision comes into force.
The right of suffrage shall be accorded to all persons, without
distinction of sex, under the following conditions:
- a)
- that they have passed their twentieth birthday, and
- b)
- that they have acquired denizenship (domovske pravo, Heimatsrecht) in a commune of the
country of Teschen before August 1, 1914.
Each person shall vote in the commune in which he holds denizenship,
or in his domicile in the country of Teschen. All persons having the
right to vote, and being in the Czecho-Slovak or Polish army, or
being interned or incarcerated for any reason whatever, shall be
enabled to exercise freely their right to vote.
# 6
To effect the vote, lists of voters shall be established by the
mayors “respectively by the presidents of the administrative
commissions”, under their personal penal responsibility, within 15
days from the entrance into force of the present decision. Claims
against these lists
[Page 315]
may be
entered up to the day of voting and shall be judged by the local
plebiscite commissions provided in Article 8, and by the
international Commission mentioned in Article 3, as a last
appeal.
# 7
The voting place for the communes whose population exceeds 5000 shall
be that commune itself; for the other communes it shall be the
capital of the judiciary district. All communes in question shall
vote separately.
# 8
In each voting place a local plebiscite commission shall be
established to superintend the execution of the suffrage of all the
communes in question. This Commission shall be composed of 3
members, one Czech, one Pole and one German, who shall be appointed
from among the inhabitants of the country by the International
Commission (see Article 3).
Appendix D to HD–58
interallied
military
commission of control
Office
Paris, September 2, 1919.
Translation
From: General Nollet, President of the Interallied
Military Commission of Control.
To: President Clemenceau.
In pursuance of a resolution of the Peace Conference, dated August
18,5 the special Interallied
Commission met on August 28, with myself in the chair, to fix the
rate of commutation to be allotted to the officers appointed to
serve on the commissions of control of the execution of the
Treaty.
I have the honor to send you herewith the minutes of this
meeting.
I am of the opinion that the figures decided upon by the Commission
reconcile as far as possible the points of view, necessarily
different, of the delegations of the various nationalities.
I did not think we should discuss the commutation to be allotted to
generals presidents of commissions, or to the presidents of
sub-commissions.
As to the latter, I propose to fix their service commutation at 5,000
marks a month.
[Page 316]
This will give them a material situation inferior to that of General
Dupont, who is a brigadier-general and who has under his orders a
personnel of officers considerably smaller, but who is head of a
mission.
[Enclosure 1]
interallied commission
charged with fixing the
rate of commutation to be
allotted to the officers
serving on the commissions of
control at
berlin
Paris, August 28, 1919.
meeting of august 28,
1919
Minutes
I. The Commission, constituted as provided in S4 of the report of the
Supreme Council of War, dated August 14, 1919, met at 10 o’clock, at
4 bis. Boulevard des Invalides, with General Nollet in the
chair.
It was composed as follows:
- Military Delegates:
- Colonel Boye (France)
- General Bingham (England)
- Major Pergolani (Italy)
- Major Hisamara (Japan)
- General de Guffroy (Belgium)
- Naval Delegates:
- Lieutenant Michelier (France)
- Captain Fuller (England)
- Commander Gonzenbach (Italy)
- Captain Anno (Japan)
- Aerial Delegates:
- Major Polimarchetti (France)
- Colonel Burdett (England)
- Colonel Chelso (Italy)
- Major Katsuki (Japan)
- Lt. Colonel Tournier (Belgium)
- Financial Delegates:
- M. Benoix (France)
- Brigadier-General Goligher (England)
- Captain Maranzini (Italy)
- Mr. Kasuma (Japan)
- Int. Marlier, represented by the officer delegated
(Belgium)
II. The President gives the history of what has already been done in
the matter of fixing commutation and informs the members of the
Conference of the following documents:
- a)
- Letter of July 28, 1919,6
from General Nollet to Marshal Foch on the subject of a plan
of commutation to be allotted to the French personnel of the
Military Commission of Control.
- b)
- Letter of July 28, 1919,7 from Marshal
Foch to the President of the Peace Conference.
- c)
- Resolution of August 2, 1919,8
of the Peace Conference, referring the proposition of
Marshal Foch to the military representatives at
Versailles.
- d)
- Report of August 14, 1919,9 of the military
representatives to the Supreme Council of War.
- e)
- Resolution of the Peace Conference of August 18, 1919,
approving the propositions of the preceding report and
deciding to appoint a special commission.10
III. The Commission first recognizes the fact that it is necessary to
insure to the officers, during their stay in Germany, a situation
that will relieve them of all anxiety of a material nature for
themselves and their families, and will make it possible for them to
maintain towards the Germans the prestige suitable to their
functions.
It asserts on the other hand that the estimation of this commutation
must be as moderate as possible.
The very prestige of these officers, which implies certain
obligations for them, would suffer from the slightest exaggeration
in their style of living.
Moreover, it is necessary to burden as little as possible the first
payment to be made by Germany, from which the commutation will be
drawn.
IV. Brigadier-General Goligher, British financial expert, makes a few
remarks on the uniformity of the rate of commutation, a commutation
which will be constant, though added to very unequal salaries; and
on the role of the financial experts at the conference, notably on
their right to vote.
The President replies that since the first point has been already
treated by the Supreme Council it does not seem that it can be
discussed. As to the role of the financial experts, they have, as
well as the other members, a vote in the deliberations, their
presence at the conference being particularly justified by the
nature of the subjects to be discussed and their influence on the
Budgets of the Allied nations.
V. Next the question is asked whether the rate of commutation will
vary according to the residence of the officers.
It seems certain that the officers serving in the provinces will have
lower daily expenses than those at Berlin. On the other hand, they
must travel more frequently, so that the total expenses would be
practically equivalent.
[Page 318]
The Commission next asks whether the daily commutation will be the
same for all, it being understood that the officers in the provinces
will not draw extra mileage.
VI. The discussion on the rate itself of the commutation is then
opened, taking as a basis the original project (the letter of July
28, 1919), a project which was itself drawn up according to the rate
of commutation allotted by the French Government to the members of
General Dupont’s mission, and according to information furnished by
Comptroller Gaillard, now at Berlin.
The British delegation proposes to allot to subaltern officers a
fixed commutation inferior to the figure in the project. There would
be added to this supplementary commutations corresponding to
expenses resulting from special missions confided to each
officer.
The President calls attention to the fact that distinctions between
officers called upon alternately to fill a sedentary position and
distant missions would lead to complications. He thinks it
preferable to fix a lump commutation, it being understood that this
commutation will include all expenses except lodging and the
expenses of travelling, properly so-called.
General Bingham supports this point of view, but he declares that
under these conditions the figure of the original project is too low
for the subaltern officers and that it must be raised.
Basing their views on the experience of officers already sent on
missions in Germany, the Italian and Belgian delegations and the
representatives of British, French and Italian aviation also insist
on raising the figures of the original project.
Finally the following figures were agreed on, entailing a
considerable reduction for generals, colonels and
lieutenant-colonels, and an increase for the subaltern officers:
A. Officers
| Generals |
9000 |
marks |
| Colonels and Lieutenant-Colonels |
7500 |
“ |
| Majors |
7000 |
“ |
| Subaltern officers |
6500 |
“ |
To this monthly commutation shall be added a monthly commutation for
heads of service and heads of districts:
| Colonels and Lieutenant-Colonels |
2500 |
marks |
| Majors and officers of lower rank in case they perform the
above functions |
2000 |
“ |
B. Enlisted Men
| Non-commissioned officers |
3300 |
marks |
| Privates |
2000 |
“ |
[Page 319]
Brigadier-General Goligher, British financial expert, and Mr. Benoix,
French financial expert, express reserves on the above figures,
which they find very high.
On the other hand, the Italian and Belgian experts are of the opinion
that the increase made in the course of the conference in the
commutation of the subaltern officers is justified.
VII. It is next made plain that the Allied civilian personnel
employed in the commissions, such as experts, interpreters,
secretaries, etc., will have a right to commutation corresponding to
an assimilation of rank which will be determined by the presidents
of commissions in each particular case.
VIII. The Commission lays it down as a principle that the scale of
commutation must not take into account the family expenses incumbent
on the officers and men, the commutation being intended to insure
the proper scale of living for the officer himself, relieving him
from all anxiety as to his family.
In the same way, the Commission is of the opinion that the
commutation for clothes cannot be fairly put to Germany’s charge,
and that it is for each Government to fix it if it sees fit.
The same is true for the travelling expenses of the officers’
families, who may join them in Germany.
IX. The Allied Governments reserve the right to change the table of
commutation in case of any notable change in the economic conditions
of life in Germany.
It is moreover to be foreseen that the total charge resulting from
the maintenance of the commissions will be notably lightened when
the work of control shall be sufficiently advanced to allow the
number of officers to be dismissed.
[Enclosure 2]
Translation
D/333
lt. colonel t. r. ubsdell, d. s. o.
british delegation
paris
Relative to the meeting of the Commission which is to propose the
rates of commutation to be allotted to the Allied officers going
into Germany, with the Commissions of Control, I send you herewith
the copy of a memorandum drawn up by me on the subject of the
discussion which came up.
The objection which I raise should be inserted in any minutes
submitted to the Supreme War Council.
Signed: illegible
Financial
Councillor
A. P. O. S. 31
B. Troops cantonned in France
August 30, 1919.
To General Nollet, Chief of the Interallied Military
Commission of Control.
Sent with reference to the minutes of the commission appointed to fix
the commutation to be allotted to the officers, non-commissioned
officers and privates going into Germany with the Interallied
Commissions of Control.
D/333
lt. colonel t. r. ubsdell, d. s. o.
british delegation
paris
To the General Chief of the British Section of the
Inter-Allied Military Commission.
A meeting was held in Paris on August 28 on the subject of the
commutation to be allotted to the officers, non-commissioned
officers and privates serving on the Commissions of Control going
into Germany.
I learned the day before that a message had been received at the
Ministry of War authorizing me to be present at the meeting as
financial councillor.
Before the meeting I had a conversation with General Bingham and the
other British representatives. The interallied conference took place
in General Nollet’s office.
The propositions made seemed to me to be of an unjustified
liberality, and I stated my opinion clearly to the British
representatives before the meeting.
General Bingham was disposed to adopt my point of view on this
subject, but insisted vigorously on the advantage of according
sufficient commutation to maintain the prestige of the Allies in the
German cities and provinces. The British Malcolm Commission and the
French Dupont Commission were the only bases furnishing a
comparison. The rates allotted by these two commissions differ up to
a certain point; the French commission giving the larger allotment.
This is probably due to the fact that the pay of French officers and
men is considerably lower than in the British army. It has specified
that the expenses of the commission would fall on Germany. I brought
out the fact that this was not a sufficient reason for granting
unjustified commutation. In the first place, all sums spent for the
commissions would constitute a first levy on the indemnity of
reparation, and this would diminish the total amount available,
supposing that Germany should be unable to pay the entire amount
exacted for reparation; in the second place, it seemed to me to be a
bad thing
[Page 321]
to give the
Germans the idea in any way whatever that these commissions are
making a profit; and in the third place, if the commission receives
commutation unjustifiably high it might create a precedent and we
may be sure that it will be a source of future difficulties for the
officers sent or left there.
The position of the financial representatives at this conference
(British, French, Italian, Belgian and Japanese) was precised as
follows:
Although their opinion will be asked and their remarks will be
welcomed, they had not the right of veto, but any proposition coming
from them would be examined when the question should be referred to
the Supreme War Council.
I raised objections on the following points:
- 1.
- —On the proposition that the same rate should be allotted
to all nationalities. It is clear that the Italians, for
example, are in favor of high commutation, because their pay
is relatively very low; the tendency would be therefore that
the rates should approach the highest amount, if the
proposition were accepted. My objection was noted, but the
commission decided to adhere to its first view.
- 2.
- —On applying the same rate to Berlin and to the provinces.
In the Malcolm Mission different rates are applied to Berlin
and to the provinces, and I think that up to the present
there has been no complaint on this subject. I stated that
if they fixed the same rate for Berlin and the provinces the
officers at Berlin would doubtless protest energetically,
saying that their expenses are greater than those of the
officers living in the smaller cities. It was decided
however to accept the principle of a single rate, although
noting my objection.
- 3.
- —On the rates in general, because they are too high in
their total amount, in view of the fact that the lodging is
to be free (but board is to be paid). The commission decided
that it was essential that the lodging should be free, and
my objection was noted.
I may say that, in a general way, the representatives shared my
views; the Japanese representative, without taking any definite
position, was inclined to be on our side. But the Italian and
Belgian representatives were both in favor of the maximum rate. As
the British Treasury does not have to support all the financial
charges directly, I think I understand how no right of veto was
accorded to me.
It was stated that the pay of civilian clerks brought by the British
authorities would be that normally paid for the corresponding civil
position in their own country, and that their commutation would be
established according to the same rules as those of the
non-commissioned officers working with the Commission.
Moreover, it was proposed to grant further commutation, mileage for
night travel for the personnel of the commissions that will be
[Page 322]
obliged to leave their
permanent residence. I do not exactly understand what will be the
situation of the officers in regard to the ordinary commutation
granted in time of war. But doubtless this question will be settled
by the war office. It seems to be that they should not receive
commutation for field service, or any of the special commutations
granted by General Order No. 501 of 1914.
Signed: illegible.
