Supreme Economic Council: [29th Meeting Held at London on 1st August, 1919, at 3 p.m., and 2d August, 1919, at 10:30 a.m.]1

The Supreme Economic Council held the First Session of its Twenty-ninth Meeting on Friday, the 1st August, 1919, at 3 p.m., at the Colonial Office in London, and the Second Session of its Twenty-ninth Meeting on Saturday, the 2nd August, at 10.30 a.m., at the India Office, under the Chairmanship of Lord Robert Cecil.

The Associated Governments were represented as follows:—

America, United States of Mr. Hoover.
Mr. J. Foster Dulles.
British Empire Mr. Austen Chamberlain.
Sir Auckland Geddes.
Sir Joseph Maclay.
Mr. G. H. Roberts.
Mr. Cecil Harmsworth.
France M. Clémentel.
M. Vilgrain.
M. Dupuy.
M. Avenol.
General Payot (representing Marshal Foch).
Italy Signor Schanzer.
Signor Marconi.
Signor Salvatore Orlando.
Commander Volpi.
Professor Attolico.
Belgium M. Jaspar.
Colonel Theunis.
Major Bemelmans.

272.

The minutes of the twenty-seventh and of the twenty-eighth meetings were approved.

273. Interchange of Goods Between Countries of Central Europe.

With reference to Minute 267, the American Delegates reported that they had received information to the effect that the interchange of potatoes and coal between Poland on the one hand and German-Austria and Czecho-Slovakia on the other hand was actually in operation.

274. Relief Operations During June.

A report from the Director-General of Relief (251) with detailed [Page 490] tables showing progress of relief measures during the month of June, and totals from the 1st December to the 30th June, was submitted for the information of the Council.

275. Typhus Relief in Eastern Europe.

The Director-General of Relief submitted a memorandum (252) giving an outline of the measures taken by the United States military authorities to aid the Polish Government in combating the spread of typhus in Eastern Europe and a history of the negotiations which have taken place between the Committee of the Directors of Relief, the representatives of the League of Red Cross Societies and the Polish Ministry of Public Health, which resulted in the conclusion that more effective aid could be given Poland by the method adopted than through the intervention of the League of Red Cross Societies.

The British Delegates reported that they had arranged to secure appropriation of a quantity of medical supplies, the transfer of certain army equipment to the Polish Ministry of Health and for further contributions from the British Red Cross.

276. Termination of Rotterdam Food Commission.

The receipt of a cable from the Rotterdam Food Commission (253) requesting definite instructions whether to continue or to cease functioning as an Inter-Allied Commission, was reported.

It was agreed that a communication should be addressed to the Rotterdam Food Commission directing it to cease functioning as an Inter-Allied Commission, but adding that the various National Delegations on the Commission should act in co-operation for the winding up of its work.

277. Repatriation of Prisoners of War.

A memorandum prepared by the Director-General of Relief (254), recommending that the Supreme Council be asked to set up a Commission comprising British, French, American and Italian military officers for the co-ordination and management of the work and finance connected with the repatriation of the various nationals scattered throughout Europe as a result of the war, was submitted.

At the request of the French Delegates, it was noted that this scheme did not apply to the territories under the jurisdiction of the Western Allies and the United States.

It was agreed that the report should be forwarded to the Supreme Council with a communication pointing out that considerable difficulties might arise with respect to the shipping arrangements, and suggesting that the Commission should be directed to take under careful consideration the Allied needs with respect to the transport of Allied troops.1a

[Page 491]

278. Traffic on the Danube.

(1) A memorandum from the Roumanian Delegation to the Peace Conference (255), dealing with the situation created in Roumania by the measures adopted by the Supreme Council of the Allies regarding the administration of the Danube, was considered.

The Chairman of the Communications Section pointed out that the Provisional Allied Danube Commission was created for the purpose of facilitating traffic on the Danube and expediting the exchange of commodities and that its activities had been to a large extent successful. He continued that, in the opinion of the Communications Section, the substantial objections put forward in the Roumanian memorandum would be met by allowing representatives of the riparian States to be attached to the Provisional Allied Danube Commission and by taking steps for the immediate restoration to commerce of river craft on the Danube pending the final settlement of disputes relative to ownership.

It was agreed to recommend to the Supreme Council that representatives of the non-enemy riparian States should be attached to the Provisional Allied Danube Commission.2

(2) A letter from the Greek Delegation of the Peace Conference (256) requesting that tugs, lighters and other river craft belonging to Greek subjects, which had been seized during the enemy occupation of Roumania, and since the armistice had been in the possession of the Allies, should now be returned to their owners, was submitted.

The Chairman of the Communications Section reported that traffic on the-Danube was greatly impeded owing to disputes as to the ownership of river craft, and that free circulation between the Upper and Lower Danube was rendered impossible because of the liability to seizure while in the middle of a voyage by claimants on the Lower Danube seeking to establish original ownership.

The Council agreed in principle:—

(1)
That all vessels of undisputed ownership should be returned to their owners under arrangements to be made by the Provisional Allied Danube Commission.
(2)
That as regards vessels of contested ownership, the Communications Section should perfect a plan for holding the title of these vessels in trust for their true owners, and should make immediate arrangements for their being brought into full use pending the final decision as to ownership.

The French Delegates stated that, while agreeing in principle, they were unable to accept a definite resolution until their Government had received explicit proposals.

[Page 492]

It was further agreed that the Communications Section should prepare and submit to the French Government proposals encompassing the above objects and that in the event of an agreed solution, the necessary actions should be taken by the Communications Section without further reference to the Council.

279. Resumption of Communications With Germany.

(a)
Postal. A recommendation to the Supreme Council, made by the special committee appointed by the Supreme Economic Council to study and report upon questions relative to the re-establishment of postal communication with Germany (257) and the decision reached by the Supreme Council (258) in the light of this report, was noted.
(b)
Railway Communication. General Payot, representing Marshal Foch, outlined to the Council the steps which had been taken with a view to the re-establishment of railway communication with Germany, viz.:—
(1)
That a programme had already been devised and put into effect re-establishing railway communication between occupied and unoccupied Germany.
(2)
That, with respect to direct communication between the Allies and Germany and to through communication over German railways, a conference of the different Governments, including Germany, had been called for the 6th August at the Ministry of Public Works, in Paris, when a full scheme would be devised.

280. European Food, Coal, and Raw Materials Situation.

The following decision from the Supreme Council was reported:—

Resolved that the problems arising out of present difficulties of providing food, coal, and raw materials to Allied Powers should be submitted to the Supreme Economic Council for examination and report.”3

(a) Food. A memorandum from the French Delegation (259), proposing that an organisation be maintained to ensure Inter-Allied or International co-operation in the co-ordination of national control of wheat, frozen meats, sugar, and other foodstuffs, was considered.

The French Delegates stated that the French Government was compelled for the time being to maintain control of certain foodstuffs, as, for example, wheat; that the British and other Governments were retaining this control, and that for these reasons they felt that cooperation in national buying would prevent an undue rise in the prices of essential foodstuffs. They elaborated their proposals suggesting that a Committee with representatives from the different Governments, including producing countries, should be entrusted with the determination of questions of general policy and with the collection [Page 493] and study of data, and that the Wheat Executive should be retained as a consultative body.

The British Delegates expressed general approval of the French proposals as outlined, on the understanding that each nation would provide its own shipping and finance.

The Italian Delegates stated that they were in favour of the French proposals, as in Italy it was still impossible to restore complete freedom. They emphasised, however, that the proposed organisation could be only consultative.

The Belgian Delegates also expressed approval of the French proposals, stating that in Belgium, too, some measure of economic control was still essential.

The American Delegates stated that, owing to the fact that the American Food Administration came to an end with the signature of Peace, and as they had no authority to act in this matter, they could not take any active part in the proposals laid down without instructions from Washington. They would like to present some features of the matter from purely an objective point of view.

It was true that there had been some degeneration in the world food supplies from the high prospects of two months ago, but the harvests of the world were, from every evidence, still large enough to take care of the world’s necessities. Nevertheless, the margin of surplus was sufficiently narrow to create grave dangers of speculation and, in fact, the diminution of prospects, together with the general moral relaxation in the world, had already given rise to considerable speculation and profiteering, as evidenced in the advance of prices of Argentine, Australian, and Canadian wheat due to speculation within the last month or two. They were confident that any plan that would militate against speculation and profiteering would be received sympathetically by the American people.

There were, however, several points on the proposals which should receive consideration. In the first instance, combined buying, or even consultation on prices, practically meant to a considerable degree fixing of prices during the year. So great a domination of the world’s food markets and the virtual fixing of prices which was possible under these arrangements would require the broadest statesmanship if it were to avoid the dangers which are inherent in these methods.

If prices are fixed there is a tendency to discourage production, unless those prices are fixed on an extremely liberal basis. Europe could not afford to have any diminution in production of the world’s food supplies, for even a small percentage, such as 15 per cent., in Western Hemisphere wheat production would starve Europe.

They continued that there was also another phase to the matter, and that was that such arrangements necessarily violate the economic basis of normal food production, because all food is seasonal in its [Page 494] production, and the economic burden of carrying these seasonal supplies for distribution over the entire year is necessarily normally carried by the whole distribution trades, and if prices are to be determined the distribution trade will not be disposed to carry the surplus against an unknown fixation of prices by a powerful body whose action in any circumstances must necessarily be unknown to them. The economic result might quite well be that the trades would refuse to carry the surplus, and that prices in consequence would fall to a point below the cost of production, and if these methods were to be adopted it would be necessary to give consideration to the necessity of purchasing large stocks of food during the season of flush production with a view to their distribution at a later period. A case in point of this nature was that of the American fat products during the last winter, when certain of the Allied agencies held the view that advantage should be taken of the great momentary surplus unduly to break prices, and, had it not been for the intervention of the American Government, the production of fats would have been so discouraged as to have left Europe during the forthcoming year without one-half of her present available supplies.

Another feature bearing upon these proposed plans was the danger of creating in the minds of the producers in the Western Hemisphere the belief that a combination of buyers had been erected to dictate prices to the producer, the repercussions of which in financial and political issues would be most material.

Under these circumstances the American Delegates would strongly recommend to the Allied Governments that no plan of this character should be placed in action until it had been presented to the American Government in Washington. If contracts could be re-established on a basis of co-operation with the United States, by which the inherent economic weaknesses of such plans were ameliorated, it might be constructive in the control of profiteering and speculation, but unless it had the support of the producer as well as of the consumer the gravest possible dangers would result as to the future of the world’s food supplies.

The American Delegates believed that existing conditions of enlarged freedom in transportation and the much larger area of markets available to Europe during the next year than maintained during the war did not warrant the fixing of prices; they believed that price fixing and the control of speculation and profiteering were entirely different economic phenomena, and the latter would be handled without the necessity of entering upon the former. There was, of course, great conflict of view in these matters but in any event the American Delegation felt that it should not, under the circumstances, enter upon these discussions, but that the plans formulated should be presented directly to the Government in Washington.

[Page 495]

The British, French, Italian, and Belgian Delegates stated that their proposals presupposed American co-operation, and that, in the interest of all, there must be no combination of buyers pitted against a combination of producers.

It was agreed—

(1)
That the British, French, Italian, and Belgian Delegation should each appoint two representatives on a Committee to meet immediately and prepare a report for submission to the Supreme Council regarding the problems arising from the present difficulties of providing food for Europe.
(2)
That before final adoption the scheme devised by this Committee should be placed before the United States Government with an invitation to co-operate.

(b) Coal. 1. The Council considered a memorandum presented by the Italian Delegates (260) dealing with the coal situation in Italy.

The French Delegates pointed out that the facts stated in the Italian memorandum as to the quantity of coal supplied by Great Britain, and as to the consequences of the British dual price system, applied equally to France.

The British Delegates stated that the present estimate of the output of coal was below the requirements of their internal use and bunker consumption, and that, accordingly, it was impossible for Great Britain, at the present moment, to promise to ship any specified quantity of coal.

It was agreed—

That the Council should recommend to the Governments of coal-producing countries to take under careful consideration the urgent needs for coal expressed by the different Delegations, and especially by the Italian Delegation, in view of the extremely grave situation now menacing Italy as a result of the reduction of the importation of coal.

2. A memorandum submitted by the Director-General of Belief on the European Coal Situation (261) was considered.

The American Delegates suggested that the Supreme Council should be asked to establish immediately a Coal Commission to undertake the co-ordination of the production and distribution of coal throughout Europe. The Reparation Commission for Germany, the Teschen Commission, the Plebiscite Commission for Silesia, and the different Commissions charged with matters of transport, should all be instructed to co-operate with this Coal Commission and assist in the work of the Coal Commission to the full extent of their powers.

The Council agreed, in principle, the recommendations made by the American Delegates, and each Delegation was asked to appoint a member upon a Coal Committee to meet in Paris on Monday August 4, to prepare a report and recommendation for the Supreme Council.

[Page 496]

The Council further agreed, pending the decision of the Supreme Council, to recommend to the different Governments the urgent necessity of increasing the production and restraining and reducing the consumption of coal.

(c) Raw Materials. It was agreed that a Raw Materials Committee, composed of one representative from each of the Governments, should prepare a report for submission to the Supreme Council.*

281. Sub-Committee on Germany.

A report from the Sub-Committee on Germany (262), submitted in accordance with the request of the Council at the twenty-sixth meeting (see Minute 251), was considered.

The American Delegates stated that the assistance of the Sub-Committee on Germany would be very helpful to the Reparation Commission in the consideration of certain problems with which the Sub-Committee was conversant.

It was agreed that the Sub-Committee should adjourn sine die, but that it should be called in case its assistance was needed by the Reparation Commission or by the Supreme Economic Council.

282. Relations Between the Reparation Commission and the Allied Maritime Transport Executive.

A letter from the Committee of Organisation of the Reparation Commission (263), dealing with the proposed relations between the Commission and the Allied Maritime Transport Executive, was submitted.

The Council approved the arrangements as set forth in the letter from the Committee.

283. Use of Adriatic Ports for Serbian Supplies.

A decision from the Supreme Council (264), relative to the use of Adriatic ports for commodities destined for Yugo-Slavia, was noted.

284. Allied Economic Policy in Hungary.

A decision by the Supreme Council to the effect “that the blockade of Hungary should be maintained until the Council should decide otherwise, and that the participation of the four Powers should be arranged for to assist the Austrian Government in maintaining it,”4 was reported.

285. Greek Stocks in Russia.

A letter from the Greek Delegation of the Peace Conference (265), drawing attention to the fact that large stocks of goods belonging [Page 497] to Greek merchants were held up in Crimean ports, and asking that the necessary permits should be granted to certain Greek steamers to lift these stocks, was submitted.

It was agreed that the Greek Delegation should be informed that the rule laid down by the Naval Commander-in-Chief at Constantinople was that the vessels might circulate freely in the Black Sea, except to ports in the hands of the Bolshevists.

286. Forecast of Situation in Bread Grains.

The Director-General of Belief submitted a memorandum with attached tables (266) giving a final pre-harvest forecast of the production and consumption of bread grains in Europe, together with the probable export surpluses in the United States, Canada, the Plate and Australia.

287. Situation in Armenia.

The Director-General of Relief reported the receipt of three cables (267) from Major Green, Head of the American Mission at Tiflis, dealing with the serious situation existing in Armenia.

It was agreed that a note should be addressed to the Supreme Council notifying them of the receipt of these cables and requesting instructions whether the information contained therein should be published.

288. Use of ex-Enemy Tonnage.

(a)
A report, dated July 1, 1919, from the Allied Maritime Transport Executive (268), dealing with the assignment, deliveries and employment of German and Austro-Hungarian tonnage allocated to Allied management during the Armistice, was noted.
(b)
A report from the Freight Commission, Food Section (269), setting out the position and employment of all ex-enemy tonnage nominated by the Allied Maritime Transport Executive for food service, was noted.

289. Reallocation of ex-Enemy Ships.

Representatives of the Allied Maritime Transport Executive stated that, in view of the fact that the use of ex-enemy tonnage for relief was now coming to an end, the Allied Maritime Transport Executive had considered the reallocation of this tonnage. The basis of reallocation proposed both for cargo and passenger tonnage was that the allocation for management should be the determining factor until such time as a final division was made. The financial proposals consequent upon this arrangement had been unanimously agreed. The basis of reallocation, however, in respect of cargo tonnage had not been agreed by the Belgian Delegation. As regards passenger tonnage, the same arrangement had been put forward; but, in respect of [Page 498] certain vessels allocated for repatriation purposes to the United States of America, and no longer required by the United States of America, no unanimous conclusion had been reached, the French Delegation making certain reservations.

It was agreed:—

(1)
To accept and confirm all that the Allied Maritime Transport Executive had unanimously agreed.
(2)
To request the Allied Maritime Transport Executive to submit for the decision of the Supreme Council the point, or points, upon which agreement had not been reached, stating clearly the case for each point of view.

290. Tonnage for Czecho-Slovak Republic.

A note from the Freight Committee, Food Section (270), stating that a letter had been received from the Czecho-Slovak Republic requesting that shipping space be provided for the transport of 100,000 tons of Government supplies from the Argentine and India, was considered.

It was agreed that the request should be referred to the Allied Maritime Transport Executive for consideration and report on the entire matter, including questions of policy involved.

291. Status of Railway Mission to Poland.

The British Delegates reported receipt of a cablegram from Warsaw making enquiry in connection with the preparation of a plan of railway reorganisation in Poland, whether Poland should be considered at war or at peace.

The Chairman of the Communications Section pointed out that, in the opinion of the British and American representatives on the Railway Mission to Poland, military control would hamper economic development, and that railway organisation on a peace basis was essential to the economic development of the country.

It was agreed that, because of the fact that the note raised political questions, the matter should be referred to the Communications Section for the preparation of a memorandum upon the economic questions involved for submission to the Supreme Council.

292. Austrian Relief.

The Director-General of Relief reported that arrangements had been made for the addition to the Austrian programme of 20,000 tons of flour to be charged to the British share of the joint Allied finance, and that with this increase the relief of Austria had been provided for until the end of September.

293. Appointment of an International Statistical Committee.

It was agreed that an International Statistical Committee, consisting of one representative of each country, should be constituted with a [Page 499] view to producing an international monthly bulletin of economic statistics on the lines of that recently issued by the British Department of the Supreme Economic Council. The Committee was to act in consultation with the Economic Section of the League of Nations’ Secretariat, and the cost of producing the bulletin was to be borne on a basis to be agreed by the countries participating.

It was understood that the work of this Committee should eventually be taken over by the League of Nations.

294. Economic Co-operation After Peace.

The British Delegates reported that their Government approved the recommendations made by the Committee on Policy of the Supreme Economic Council (see Minute 259) and agreed, in principle, that the first session of the proposed International Economic Council should be held at Washington. They pointed out, however, that it might be impossible for the Cabinet Ministers now sitting as delegates to attend in person.

The French, Italian, and Belgian Delegates stated that their Governments had approved the recommendations in principle.

295. Permanent Committee.

The British Delegates suggested that a small permanent committee should sit in London with the view to expediting the despatch of current business.

It was agreed—

(1)
That a Permanent Committee composed of one representative from each of the Governments should sit in London.
(2)
That this Committee should dispose of matters of routine or current business, referring to the full Council questions of great importance, or where obviously there was likely to be a difference of opinion.

Appendix 251

Report From the Director-General [of Relief] Regarding Relief Operations in Europe During June 1919

Gentlemen: I attach hereto detailed tables showing the progress of relief measures under my direction for the month of June and the totals from the 1st December to the 30th June.

During the month of June there was distributed about 100 shiploads of food to the twenty countries under relief, comprising 597,543 metric tons of supplies, having an approximate value of 141,255,334 dollars. As usual, the great majority has been supplied on credit, and to some extent upon charity. This compares with 738,687 metric tons distributed [Page 500] during the previous month, of the approximate value of 162,875,000 dollars.

The total supplies distributed under the Relief Administration from the 1st December to the 30th June amounts to 3,219,896 tons, comprising about 612 shiploads, of a value of approximately 770,795,000 dollars.

Port stocks at the 30th June amounted to 157,681 tons, as compared with 195,791 tons on the 31st May.

The exchange of local surpluses of native food and other commodities between countries in Central and Eastern Europe, which has been arranged by the Belief Administration, has shown increases, but these figures are not included in the above totals.

I can only repeat that I am confident that we shall reach the completion of this task with the harvest and without any preventable loss of life.

Faithfully yours,

Herbert Hoover

[Enclosure]

I.—Total Relief Deliveries Under the Direction of the Director-General of Relief During the Period June 1 to 30, 1919

[Metric tons]

Total Bread-stuffs Wheat Flour Cereal Flour Grain Beans Rice Meats and Fats Milk Clothing Miscellaneous Total
Finland 35,065 35,065 35,065
Esthonia
Latvia 1,265 1,265 284 385 382 2,316
Lithuania
Russia
Poland 24,455 10,623 13,832 895 3,668 3,759 1,121 820 1,497 36,215
Germany 107,656 52,496 13,393 41,767 8,654 3,916 45,877 6,731 34,519 207,353
Denmark
Holland
Belgium 2,172 23 2,149 12 6 18,889 424 1,058 3,017 25,578
Northern France 4,648 6,057 1,416 11,828 24,849
Czecho-Slovakia 83,101 8,679 7,073 67,349 323 2,101 331 167 86,023
German Austria 91,092 56,832 6,600 27,660 975 132 753 1,657 26,393 121,004
Hungary
Greater Serbia 3,030 3,030 490 108 107 276 253 4,264
Italy
Roumania 34,494 11,323 7,451 15,720 1,591 258 5,350 41,693
Bulgaria 2,013 2,013 2,013
Turkey
Armenia 6,856 6,823 33 2,042 3 1,950 319 11,170
Total 391,199 153,084 34,573 203,542 15,266 7,833 76,777 18,929 3,294 83,345 597,543
[Page 501]

II.—Total Relief Deliveries Under the Direction of the Director-General of Relief During the Period From December 1, 1918, to June 30, 1919

[Metric tons]

Bread-stuffs Beans and Peas Rice Meats and Fats Milk Cocoa and Sugar Clothing Miscellaneous Total
Finland 117,118 744 835 1,963 250 1,586 842 123,338
Esthonia 13,165 210 37 493 96 64 14,065
Latvia 3,451 309 8 527 418 3 4,716
Lithuania 2,040 8 12 60 17 2,137
Poland 173,556 3,996 7,668 21,112 4,733 666 5,227 95,607 312,565
Germany 365,471 48,860 121,265 23,128 778,924
Holland 24,552 24,652
Denmark 19,942 19,942
Belgium 594,012 5,270 29,130 65,949 15,177 3,435 8,912 26,544 748,429
Northern France 6,647 5,193 10,920 17,159 13,370 14,163 3,298 17,588 88,338
Czecho-Slovakia 253,696 439 251 17,663 2,596 277 105 48,776 323,803
German Austria 235,337 6,715 12,992 33,077 5,051 40,705 37,224 371,101
Hungary 633 633
Greater Serbia 59,777 4,769 149 3,780 1,067 283 8,332 11,285 89,442
Italy 15,034 15,034
Roumania 174,433 2,390 3,617 2,951 628 4,189 28,458 216,666
Bulgaria 22,831 22,831
Turkey 14,458 14,468
Armenia 25,614 2,661 3 2,463 319 31,060
Russia 1,307 13,770 15,077
Russian prisoners in Germany 1,433 1,050 202 2,685
Total 2,123,874 81,564 111,847 288,300 71,360 62,146 30,063 450,642 3,219,896

III.—Stocks in Port. June 30, 1919

Bread-stuffs Peas and Beans Rice Meats and Fats Milk Cocoa and Sugar Clothing Miscellaneous Total
Rotterdam 20,026 102 1,140 380 286 24 4 21,962
Antwerp 15,097 2,629 1,363 3,102 2,580 36,331
Hamburg 10,310 349 434 30 111 11,234
Danzig 30,906 9,896 2,530 5,688 704 769 3,348 53,841
Copenhagen 5,627 720 34 6,381
Hunger berg 2,774 2,774
Reval 5,485 5,485
Viborg 4,194 495 421 390 5,500
Riga 1,087 132 104 1,323
Trieste 11,621 878 238 113 12,850
Total 107,127 13,122 5,382 11,755 4,080 1,530 976 13,709 157,681

IV.—Stocks and Internal Movements During June 1919

Bread-stuffs Beans Rice Meats and Fats Milk Clothing Miscellaneous Total
Reserve port stocks June 1,1919 84,941 12,208 7,422 52,040 10,045 3,339 25,796 195,791
Supplies received during June 413,385 16,180 5,793 36,492 13,864 931 72,788 559,433
Total available in June 498,326 28,388 13,215 88,532 23,909 4,270 98,584 755,224
Distribution during June 391,199 15,266 7,833 76,777 19,829 3,294 83,345 597,543
Reserve port stocks June 30,1919 107,127 13,122 5,382 11,755 4,080 976 15,239 157,681
[Page 502]

Appendix 252

Memorandum From the Director-General of Relief [Regarding] Typhus Relief in Eastern Europe

The Council will recollect that during the last spring the typhus situation in Eastern Europe was raised in the Council by myself, and, after discussion, it was determined to appeal to the Red Cross Societies of the world to undertake a special campaign in this particular. This appeal was made, and in consequence of it some discussion of the matter took place at the Conferences held in Cannes, from which were finally organised the League of Red Cross Societies. The League of Red Cross Societies addressed themselves directly to the Heads of State for financial assistance, and these gentlemen referred the matter back again to the Supreme Economic Council for consideration.

The Council instructed me, together with my colleagues in charge of relief, on behalf of the various Governments (Sir William Goode, Mr. Caetani, Major Fillioux), to interest ourselves in assisting the matter. A considerable number of discussions were held with the representatives of the League of Red Cross Societies, and it was pointed out to them that the only assistance the Council could bring to bear would be to enlist the interest of the various armies in the disposal of their surplus supplies, and in the lending of their personnel, and urgent representations in the matter were made by us to the American, British and French military authorities.

The League of Red Cross Societies raised the question of the authority that would be given to them by the Governments of Eastern Europe. They considered that it was necessary that they should have a practically complete police authority in order to make effectual the results of their efforts. They also stated that they had no resources otherwise than for purposes of general organisation; that while, under the resources they possessed, they could mobilise enterprises of this character, the entire expenditure would have to be met from governmental quarters. We decided that the best method of procedure would be to ask the Polish Minister of Health to come to Paris for consultation with the League of Red Cross Societies, which was done and conferences were held early in July.

At these conferences the League of Red Cross Societies stated that they could not take the responsibility for such a campaign unless they were given very large authorities by the Ministry of Health, and the Polish Minister felt that he could not justifiably surrender the control of health conditions internally in Poland, in view of the very large amount of work already being carried on by the Polish Government and his own responsibility. A number of conferences appear to have [Page 503] taken place between the Polish Minister of Health and the Red Cross Societies, by which ultimately they decided that their best services would be performed by recruiting personnel for the Ministry of Health and at the expense of the Polish Government.

The matter appeared to be making but little progress, as the Polish Minister of Health informed me that he was not able to find the necessary expenditure to cover his problem. It was therefore resolved by your Committee that they should appeal directly to the armies of the various Governments to assist the Polish Ministry of Health with army personnel, and at the same time further urgent representations were made to the various Liquidation Boards with regard to a liberal attitude towards Poland in the matter of army supplies available for combating typhus.

Ultimately, the President of the United States and the Secretary of War delegated personnel from the American army to be placed at my disposal for the Polish Ministry of Health and at the expense of the American army. With the intervention of the President, I also arranged with the American Liquidation Board to sell several million dollars’ worth of supplies and material at a nominal figure to the Polish Government, and I undertook for the Relief Administration to secure the expenses of transportation.

Our British colleagues arranged also to secure appropriation for a large quantity of medical supplies and the transfer of certain Army equipment to the Polish Ministry of Health, and have now arranged for further contributions from the British Red Cross. A note on these supplies is being furnished by the British Delegates.

Colonel H. L. Gilchrist, of the American army, has been delegated, together with a personnel of some 500 members, to proceed to Poland to assist the Polish Government. The following officers have been detailed for the expedition:—

  • Colonel H. L. Gilchrist, M. C, in charge.
  • Lieut.-Col. H. H. Snively, M. C.
  • Lieut.-Col. L. R. Dunbar, M. C.
  • Major V. H. de Somoskeoy, M. C.
  • Major Willis E. Talbo, M. C.
  • Major Charles M. Bollman, M. C.
  • Major Francis M. Fitts, M. C.
  • Major Walter F. von Zelinski, M. C.
  • 1st Lieut. F. B. Gryczka, M. C.
  • Captain Fred Pumphrey, S. C.
  • Captain J. G. Strobridge, Cavalry.
  • Major A. W. Kipling, A. S. Major Cranford Blangden, Infantry.
  • Captain Clyde H. Morgan, C. A. C.
  • Captain H. Y. Stebbins, F. A.
  • 2nd Lieut. William A. Stack, M. T. C.
  • 2nd Lieut. J. J. Skaggs, M. T. C.

[Page 504]

The principle underlying these arrangements has been in accord with policies of the Council in all of its measures; that is, to build up and strengthen existing Government departments among the new Governments rather than to impose authority over them. Any other measures must be short lived, and the only hope of permanent solutions is by the development of local efficiency.

As a matter of record I enclose herewith copies of the more essential documents that have passed in this connection.

Herbert Hoover

[Enclosure]

(A) The League of Red Cross Societies, Headquarters, Geneva, Switzerland

Meeting Between Mr. Hoover, Chairman of Supreme Economic Council Committee, Dealing With Epidemics in Eastern Europe, and Mr. Cutler, Sir David Henderson, and Mr. Persons, of the League of Red Cross Societies

1.
The only supplies under the influence of the Economic Council are those in possession of the various Allied armies, and any supplies provided from these sources for the operations of the Red Cross must be charged against the countries in which they are expended.
2.
The League is to endeavour to ascertain from the American and British armies whether the supplies asked for are available.
3.
The League to arrange direct with the Polish Government the conditions under which operations are to be undertaken. Mr. Hoover has asked the Polish Minister of Health to come to Paris, and will put him in communication with the League.
4.
If the operations of the League should extend to countries other than Poland, the necessary financial adjustment can be made locally.
5.
Mr. Persons may refer to Mr. Hoover for further information.

(B) Memorandum From Minister of Public Health of Poland to Mr. Hoover

Having come to Paris on your telegraphic invitation, I have held several meetings with representatives of the League of Red Cross Societies according to your desire. The final result of these conferences is such that the League refuses all help except for the assistance in recommending 50 doctors and 100 sanitarians and nurses to be engaged by the Polish Government, but the salaries of this staff quite apart from high travelling expenses are so much in excess of [Page 505] the average pay of our own personnel that we shall be able to engage but a few of the League’s candidates.

The representatives of the League have declared their willingness in principle to take part in the action of establishing a sanitary cordon on the Eastern frontier of Poland if called upon to do so by an international governmental sanitary commission, the Governments concerned bearing all the expenses of the action, and taking all the responsibility for any such action. But no such commission exists at present, and in the meantime people are dying of typhus in Poland, our epidemiologists are falling victims to the disease in protecting the whole of Western Europe from the further spread of the epidemic, while here all the time there are experienced people as well as means to fight the terrible scourge. The summer period is the only season of the year when the action may be conducted successfully. The carrying into effect of this action on a big scale surpasses the ability of our own Government, and it is fair to ask that the campaign conducted in the interests of the whole West should be materially assisted by the Western Government.

Being now thrown back entirely on our own for the whole programme of the campaign, we ask only that the Supreme Economic Council sell to us at reduced prices the supplies indispensable for an effective campaign and specified in the Second Annexe of the attached Memorandum5 on the plan of an anti-typhus campaign in Poland, page 13, the reduction of prices representing the actual participation in the cost of the undertaking on the part of the interested Governments.

(C) Cablegram to the Secretary of War

Honourable Newton D. Baker,
Secretary of War.

Epidemic of typhus in Poland can only be solved by aid of United States. Our Army has special disinfectation equipment no longer needed in France. On approval of the President General Pershing has ordered the officers detailed to Poland for a few months to co-operate with Polish Government. The Army has sold to the Polish Government a portion of the equipment not feasible for return to the United States. Usefulness of officers and equipment will be nil unless trained enlisted men belonging to this particular service are also detailed for Poland. Since the Commanding General has no power to detail enlisted men which lies in the hands of the Secretary of War, we urge for the sake of a most important international work that you issue orders detailing to Poland the trained enlisted men now serving [Page 506] under Colonel H. L. Gilchrist in France. This plan in aid of Poland was discussed with the President and has his approval. It would be possible to secure that these men volunteer for the service if they can be kept on the army pay roll.

Hoover

(D) Copy of a Cablegram From the Secretary of War to General Pershing

Detail Colonel Gilchrist, necessary officers and 500 enlisted specialists for service in Poland is approved. Enlisted men to be obtained under conditions stated in your cable.

Appendix 253

[Cablegram From the Rotterdam Food Commission]

Rotterdam Food Commission requests definite instructions to continue or cease functioning addressed officially to it as an Inter-Allied Commission, British and American members have been instructed individually, French have no instructions.

Hocking

Secretary, British Consulate

Appendix 254

Memorandum Prepared by Director-General of Relief for Submission to Council of Five [Regarding] Repatriation of Prisoners of War From Siberia and Elsewhere

It appears that there are some 200,000 German, Austrian and Hungarian prisoners in Siberia, and that these prisoners are suffering greatly and are a constant menace to the Siberian Government. There are also certain Polish prisoners and civilians now scattered all over the world who will require more systematic assistance at repatriation, but there is an entire deficiency of funds with which to pay the incidental expenses. There are probably also other odd lots of expatriates of various nationals [nationalities] as the result of the war who need systematic repatriation. It would appear to me that this problem requires definite organisation, and I should like to submit the following plan in the matter for action by the Council:—

First, that a Commission, comprising a British, French, American and Italian military officer, should be set up and undertake the management [Page 507] of this repatriation. That this Commission should communicate their appointment to the Austrian, Hungarian and Polish and other Governments, and that they should offer to undertake the repatriation, provided funds are placed to their credit in advance by each of the Governments concerned.

It would appear to me that if such a body is set up under capable officers that they would be able to work out a solution in this manner and to secure from the Allied Governments the necessary shipping and other services which would be necessary. They could invite a delegate of each of the Governments concerned to sit with them in respect to the matters which concerned such a Government and they could engage the necessary staff to carry on the work. They would probably need to appeal to the various Allied Governments and to charitable societies for some assistance in respect to prisoners originating from quarters unable to supply these funds, but in any event they would create a centre around which all effort of this kind could be directed.

With the repatriation of the Allied troops nearing completion, it would appear to be an appropriate moment for the creation of such a body. I attach two memoranda on the subject indicating the volume of the problem involved, the first from the British authorities on “Prisoners in Siberia,” the second from the Polish Office for Repatriation.

Herbert Hoover

[Enclosure 1]

Memorandum From British Delegates Respecting Ex-Enemy Prisoners of War in Siberia

There are about 200,000 German, Austrian and Hungarian prisoners of war in Siberia. They are in a destitute condition, and it is considered essential, both on humanitarian and political grounds, that food and clothing should be supplied to them. The representatives in Siberia of the Danish and Scandinavian Red Cross Societies have undertaken to carry out the work if they are supplied with funds, estimated at 100,000l. a month. The Austrian Government have offered to provide the funds for their nationals, and the British Foreign Office stated on the 24th June that the Hungarian Government stated that they were unable to contribute to the expenses, but asked that notwithstanding the relief should be carried out.

It is suggested that the best way to deal with the problem (which has now become a very pressing one) would be to ask the Director-General of Relief to approach the Red Cross authorities in order that they may make the necessary arrangements to receive the contributions [Page 508] of the Austrian and Hungarian Governments, and to carry out such measures of relief as are possible with the finance thus made available.

It is possible that on reconsideration the German Government would also consent to provide the necessary finance. It may be mentioned that the Austrian representative who deals with this matter is at present at St. Germain.

It is suggested that the Red Cross representatives should be informed that the Allied Governments will permit the necessary remittances to be made by the ex-enemy Governments concerned, and will facilitate the relief measures undertaken as far as possible.

S. D. Waley

[Enclosure 2]

Memorandum on Polish Repatriation by Stanislaw Gawronski up to the 1st June, 1919

In reply to your esteemed communication of the 11th July, I hasten to communicate to you:

1.
The approximate figures of Polish subjects in foreign countries awaiting repatriation.
2.
The number of foreigners actually in Poland whom it is necessary to repatriate.
3.
The number of foreign prisoners of war, interned civilians, refugees and workpeople which the Central Polish Repatriation Office has transported across Polish territory at Polish national expense.

I.

From the figures possessed by the Central Office for repatriation of prisoners, interned civilians and refugees at Warsaw, the following Poles still await repatriation in foreign countries:—

1.
Germany, in which is included the occupied territories and the provinces recaptured by France:
(a)
15,000 to 20,000 Polish prisoners of war, the vast majority of which are invalids, wounded and sick (Polish Consul-General, Berlin).
(b)
About 600,000 Polish workers interned in Germany during the war and taken by force during the German occupation of Polish territory formerly belonging to Russia.
Germany: Total between 615,000 and 620,000.
This figure does not include interned civilians and workers, formerly Russian subjects in Posnania, and the Polish subjects of foreign nationalities (Lithuanians, Ruthenians, Jews, &c.), of which the Central Repatriation Office has not adequate figures.
2.
Russia: Prisoners of war who were formerly soldiers in the Russian army, who have been evacuated by force from the Polish territory formerly belonging to Russia and occupied by Germany during the war:—
(a)
Russia in Europe, in which is included the Ukraine and the Don country. The figures which are obtainable at the moment, having in view the state of war with the Bolshevists and the absolute lack of communications, are very incorrect. Taking as a basis the original figures obtained by the Polish poor relief organisations which functioned in the territory of the Russian Empire during the war, and deducting the number of repatriated people up till the 1st June, a certain number who enlisted in the Allied armies in Russia, and those who have already gone over the Hungarian and Roumanian frontiers, there remain in Russia in Europe between 165,000 and 180,000 Poles to be repatriated.
(b)
Siberia: About 40,000. These figures come from Polish organisations in Siberia, and are confirmed by various Allied and neutral missions.
(c)
Caucasus and Turkestan: About 20,000 (Polish organisations).
(d)
Finland, Murmansk, Archangel: 3,000 (Polish Delegates at Archangel).
(e)
Baltic provinces: About 3,000 (idem).
Russia: Total between 231,000 and 246,000.
3.
Austria: Between 20,000 and 25,000, of which 17,000 are registered by the Polish Mission at Vienna as being in that city or its immediate environs.
4.
Hungary: About 30,000, of which 20,000 registered at Budapest by Major Tabaszymsky of Colonel Vix’s Military Mission as coming from the south-eastern provinces of Russia.
5.
Roumania: About 60,000 from the south-eastern provinces of Russia (Polish Mission at Bucharest).
6.
Serbia: At least 6,000, of which the condition is most deplorable (Special Polish Mission).
7.
Albania: About 3,000 (Special Polish Mission).
8.
Greece: About 1,000 (Special Polish Mission).
9.
Jugo-Slavia: About 2,000 (Special Polish Mission).
10.
Turkey, Europe and Asiatic: Between 10,000 and 15,000 (Special Polish Mission).
11.
Denmark: 1,000.
12.
Holland: 1,000.
13.
England: 3,000.
14.
Italy: 5,000 (Polish Consul-General at Rome).
15.
France: In which is included the English and American camps, between 15,000 and 20,000 prisoners of war and between 10,000 and [Page 510] 12,000 workers and refugees, in which are included the refugees from Odessa brought by sea to Marseilles.

Recapitulation

(1.) Germany 615,000 to 620,000
(2.) Russia 231,000 to 246,000
(3.) Austria 20,000 to 25,000
(4.) Hungary (about) 30,000
(5.) Czecho-Slovakia 2,000
(6.) Roumania 60,000
(7.) Serbia 6,000
(8.) Albania 3,000
(9.) Greece 1,000
(10.) Turkey 10,000 to 15,000
(11.) Denmark (about) 1,000
(12.) Holland 1,000
(13.) Italy 5,000
(14.) England 3,000
(15.) France 25,000 to 32,000
Total Polish subjects, prisoners of war, interned civilians, and refugees awaiting repatriation (in round figures) 1,010,000 to 1,050,000

In this figure of between 1,010,000 and 1,050,000 are not included the Polish subjects of foreign nationalities from the German provinces allotted to Poland by the Peace Treaty. The number of these Polish subjects is not very large, but they must be taken into consideration when arranging the repatriation of Polish subjects who are prisoners of war in the French, English, and American prisoner of war camps.

II.

The number of foreigners in Poland whose repatriation is necessary, and, indeed, urgent, is difficult to formulate. It increases from day to day. Above all there are the Russian subjects fleeing before the Bolshevists and placing themselves under Polish protection after having passed the Polish Bolshevist front. These refugees arrive with their wives and children in a deplorable state, ragged, verminous, starving, bringing with them every sort of disease. Among these there are many Bolshevist agents who, under the pretext of fleeing before the Bolshevists, penetrate into Polish territory in order to carry out dangerous Bolshevist propaganda. Apart from these, and in spite of the Allied order forbidding Germany to repatriate Russian prisoners of war across Polish territory, there are constantly arriving from Germany prisoners who are Russian subjects, who, having in view the lack of [Page 511] forces to guard the Polish frontier, cross this frontier on foot and disseminate themselves little by little in Polish territory. The number of these men vary from between 500 and 2,000 per week. The numbers have greatly diminished during the last few weeks. These prisoners of war, who are Russian subjects, are also without any means of existence, and naturally they have to be lodged and fed at the expense of the Polish Government. The number of Russian subjects actually on Polish territory can be said without exaggeration to be between 250,000 and 300,000. The larger part of these prisoners are Russian subjects, but among them is a large number of Jews and Ukrainians, and also small parties of White Russians, Lithuanians, and others. Having in view the lack of provisions, the lack of medical requirements and disinfectants, the absolute lack of linen and clothes, the absolute lack of means of transport, and the lack of work, all these people without resources or means of existence are a heavy burden on the Polish Government, and present a real danger from the moral and medical point of view, not only for Poland, but for the whole of Western Europe in general.

III.

The number of foreign prisoners of war recorded as having passed through Polish territory from November 1918 to the 1st June 1919, at the expense of the Polish Government, is stated below:—

(1.) Russians 481,171
(2.) Germans 7,640
(3.) Lithuanians 5,930
(4.) Ukrainians 14,235
(5.) French 1,549
(6.) Serbians 524
(7.) Hungarians 19,792
(8.) Italians 1,266
(9.) Bulgarians 171
(10.) Czechs 10,427
(11.) Roumanians 1,865
(12.) Austrians 6,583
(13.) English 62
(14.) Belgians 17
(15.) Americans 5
(16.) Turks 871
(17.) Various 3,050
Total 555,158

This total of 555,158 foreign prisoners is very much below the actual figure, as the Central Repatriation Office did not at first take into account the foreign prisoners of war transported by Galicia, and consequently figures were lacking. Immediately after the Armistice, on account of internal troubles in Germany and the withdrawal of Austrian [Page 512] authorities from Polish territory, the number of foreign prisoners of war in Polish territory was so large that tens of thousands of Russian, German, and Austrian prisoners of war were transported from east to west and from west to east of the Polish frontiers without being recorded on account of the impossibility of exercising control. It would be perfectly just and not an exaggeration to augment the total of 555,158 by at least 150,000.

St. Gavronsky

Appendix 255

Memorandum From the Roumanian Delegation Regarding the Administration of the Danube

M. le Président: I have the honour to enclose herewith a memorandum on the situation created in Roumania by the measures adopted by the Supreme Council of the Allied Armies regarding the administration of the Danube.

Bratiano

To the President of the Inter-Allied
Supreme Economic Council.

[Enclosure]

Memorandum on the Situation Created in Roumania by the Measures Adopted by the Supreme Council of the Allied Armies Regarding the Administration of the Danube

(A) Pre-war Situation.

The Paris Treaty of 18566 created two institutions to guarantee the principle of liberty of navigation on the Danube consecrated by this Treaty:

(1)
The European Commission on the Mouths of the Danube.
(2)
The Riverside Commission.

The first Commission was of a purely technical character, its mandate expiring on the conclusion of work on the mouths of the Danube.

This Commission was instituted at a time when Roumania had not the necessary means at her disposal, when the Danubian Principalities found themselves under the rule of Turkey, and when none of the riverside countries—Turkey and Russia—took any interest at all in the improvement of navigation necessary to the interests of Europe.

[Page 513]

The mandate of this Commission was repeatedly extended until 1878, when, by the Berlin Treaty,7 power was also granted to the Commission to organise the portion of the river between Galatz and the sea, independently of the territorial authorities.

These repeated extensions clearly indicate the provisional character of the Commission.

Roumania assisted the Commission to the best of her ability in its task of improving navigation and endeavoured to ensure, through the medium of her agency, that complete freedom in navigation for all nations was effected; but when they struck at her territorial dominion she always protested.

With regard to the second Commission, the Riverside Commission, it has not been able to function effectively owing to the antagonism which existed between International European interests and the egotistical interests of the Austro-Hungarian monarchy.

Roumania, however, independently of the monopolising tendencies of Austria-Hungary and working for the common good, has made important sacrifices for the improvement of navigation up-stream from Galatz to the Portes-de-Fer; she has created an important merchant fleet and has occupied the first place in riverside traffic. Thus, for instance, in 1910, the river traffic of Roumania figured at 5,837,000 tons against 5,093,000 tons of Hungary and 8,785,000 tons of other riverside countries as a whole.

Further, Roumania for the improvement of navigation and ports, and without levying any navigation tax whatever, spent on technical work more than 115,000,000 fr.

These important sacrifices have even been recognised by her enemies.

The situation of Roumania as regards the Danube was well determined by the assistance given to the European Commission in the fulfilment of its duty of improving navigation at the mouths of the Danube, by its work of improving navigation up-stream from Galatz, carried out by her own means in the common interest, by the free movement of her trading ships, liberty of navigation ensured for all by the intervention of the Police and the application of rules for navigation in her ports and her territorial waters.

(B) Situation During the War.

War was responsible for a general upheaval of the organisations established in the general interest of navigation, and resulted in a relative stagnation in the regular functioning of these organisations.

Thus a portion of the vessels and apparatus of the different services of the Danube was, during our retreat, evacuated on the lower part of the river, but the greater portion of the boats and installations of the [Page 514] State was scuttled, destroyed or transferred to the higher part of the river by the enemy.

After the occupation of a part of Roumanian territory by the enemy, the Danube up-stream from Braila was administered by an enemy organisation called the Zentral-Transport-Leitungsschiff, who adopted the old programme of Austria-Hungary of acquiring complete economic and political authority on the Danube.

With regard to the portion of the Danube down-stream from Braila to the sea, Roumania, as a result of her policy to respect the right of free navigation for all, undertook the care of all apparatus and installations of the European Commission at the mouths of the Danube; she did all in her power to save them from falling into the hands of the Russians and advanced important sums of money for the payment of the Staff and the upkeep of the Commission’s ships.

During the war and during the Armistice Roumania cancelled the protection of this institution, continuing as far as her technical means permitted the maintenance of her works at the mouths of the Danube.

(C) Situation During the Armistice.

When the Armistice was signed, the enemy forces, in their retreat, destroyed and transferred to the higher part of the Danube all that was transferable, so that after the Armistice Roumania was only able to place at the disposal of the Danube navigation much reduced facilities, owing to the disappearance of a large part of her ships and to the temporary disorganisation of her special pre-war services.

The Allied armies entering the country and advancing towards the upper part of the Danube, it was necessary to adopt military measures in order to expedite transports by water and by land necessary for the revictualling of the troops spread over the different areas of the left bank of the river.

The first result of the military administration was the division of the Danube into two sectors: that of the Upper Danube—commencing at Orsova and going towards the high part of the Danube, placed by the Allies under the command of Admiral Troubridge; and that of the Lower Danube from Orsova to Sulina, under the command of Captain de Belloy, acting for the Allies.

Later on this first organisation was altered as follows:—

(1)
The placing of the Portes-de-Fer Canal, for the passage of vessels, under the control of Admiral Troubridge, and using the Hungarian personnel and material available.
(2)
The subdivision of the first sector of the Upper Danube into two new sectors, the division operating from Bala.

As a result of complaints made by the American Relief Mission against the functioning of the services of the Lower Danube, the English Mission being in sympathy with them, a Conference was held at Paris and the following decisions were reached:— [Page 515]

(1)
The military transports will continue to function as in the past.
(2)
The civil and commercial transports will be under one control only for the whole river.
(3)
A Commission will be created to undertake the exercise of control and the elaboration of a common law for all the sectors.

This control Commission should possess, in accordance with the instructions of the French General Staff, the following functions:—

(a)
To facilitate the traffic of the relief and trading vessels, in granting permits available in all sectors.
(b)
To ensure the upkeep of the boats and their supplies of fuel and oils wherever necessary.
(c)
To improve as rapidly as possible the means of communication and liaison between the commanders of the various sectors or their representatives.

For the time being the President of the Commission will be Admiral Troubridge, and the French representative Captain de Belloy.

The question of navigation on the Danube as well as on the other rivers giving access to the sea to several States has been discussed at length by the Special Commission instituted at Paris for formulating the clauses of the Treaty of Peace.

The principles established on the basis of these discussions are those of complete liberty and equality for all flags on rivers declared to be international, the Danube having been declared as such on all her navigable course from Ulm to the sea (Articles 331 and 332 of the Peace Treaty with Germany).

This special Commission of International régime of ports and communications by sea and land, working on the basis of the mandate of the Supreme Council has occupied itself specially in considering to the minutest detail the Danube régime, prescribing the special principles mentioned in the Treaty of Peace, such as:—

(1)
The European Danube Commission, in which the representatives of Great Britain, France and Roumania only will take part provisionally, will exercise the powers it had before the war (see Article 346).
(2)
Starting from the point outside the sphere of the European Commission the network of the waters of the Danube set forth in Article 331 (i. e., the Danube from Ulm to the sea and all the navigable parts of the network of waters giving a natural access to the sea to more than one State) will come under the administration of an International Commission composed of two representatives of the German riverside States, one representative of each riverside State, one representative of each State other than riverside, represented in the future on the European Danube Commission (Article 347).

This Commission will meet as soon as possible after the ratification of the Treaty of Peace (Article 348), and will have under its charge the provisory administration of the river according to Articles 332–337 [Page 516] of the Peace Treaty with Germany until a special Commission composed of Delegates of the Allied and Associated countries will have worked out a definite statute on the régime of the Danube.

From what has been stated as well as from discussions which took place at the Commission, and which were reported in the minutes of the different meetings, it will be seen that up to the time when a general statute of the Danube régime is established, the pre-war situation must be re-established, both as regards the European Commission on the mouths of the Danube, exception being made of enemy powers, and also as regards Roumania and the higher part of the Danube where the privileges of the Commission end.

The privileges accorded in the last few months by the Navigation Control Commission on the Danube are distinct from the purely military measures of supply, which have been reduced to a minimum since the Allied troops in the West are now only composed of French contingents in these regions which still remain on the old Hungarian territory.

These privileges extend on the contrary to Danube trade in general and by means of navigation permits they touch upon the principle of freedom of navigation on the Danube, declared an international river, a principle also consecrated by the Treaty of Peace.

To reconcile the principles of freedom and equality created by the Peace Treaty, the rights of Roumania before the war, with the supply requirements of the Allied armies, it is to the common interest of all to harmonise the administrative measures of navigation on the Danube until such times as a definite statute has been fixed, in such a way that while respecting the principles consecrated by the Treaty of Peace the interests of the Allied riverside countries may also be protected.

Consequently Roumania requests that the following measures should be adopted:—

(1) The Roumanian State will be endowed with its former pre-war rights and will re-establish the regime of freedom of trade on the Danube, firstly for the Allied States under the reservations brought about by the state of war and the situation created by the enemy.

In order that Roumania may restart her activities on the Danube, the Allied States Command should restore to Roumania all the vessels transferred by the enemy above the Portes-de-Fer.

(2) The régime of complete liberty on the Danube which existed before the war for the flags of all the Allies should be re-established, until such time as the establishment of a definite regime by the Commission appointed by the Treaty of Peace.

The execution of the measures could be made:—

(a)
By the assistance which Roumania could give to the Allies in putting the necessary transports at their disposal, but at the same time respecting the right for liberty of trade before the war.
(b)
By the limitation of the privileges of the American, English, and French Mission on the Danube to the provisioning of the Allied armies.
(c)
The co-ordination of the Roumanian transport service with the regime and traffic in waters of other States (enemy) in the occupation of the Allies will be made by the co-operation of a Roumanian Delegate on American-Anglo-French Commission, and of a representative of this Commission to the Roumanian State.

As regards police and navigation laws, they will be those which existed before the war.

The Roumanian Delegation hopes that the requests she has formulated will be favourably considered, and that the principles of liberty and equality in navigation on the Danube as well as the rights acquired by a sovereign and Allied State will be recognized without any difficulty by the great Allied and Associated Powers.

Appendix 256

Letter From the Greek Delegation Regarding Seizure of River Craft

The President
of the Supreme Economic Council
,

During the enemy occupation of Roumania a large number of units of the river fleet belonging to Greek subjects, namely, tugs, lighters, &c., were sent to the Upper Danube, where they were retained by the enemy.

These units were, after the Armistice, considered by the French Naval Mission as prizes of war. The French Mission, however, declared to the representative of Greece in Roumania that after verification of their nationality they would be returned to their owners. This measure, which had already begun to be executed, has just been reported on by the same French Naval Mission which has made a declaration to the Greek Minister that it has referred the question for decision to the Supreme Economic Council in Paris.

The Greek Minister of Foreign Affairs has the honour to acquaint the President of the Supreme Economic Council with the preceding facts, at the same time asking him to be good enough to submit the question to the Supreme Economic Council in order that the necessary instructions may be given to the French Naval Mission in Roumania to ensure that these boats which have already been sequestrated by the enemy for some considerable time should be restored to their owners.

[Page 518]

Appendix 257

Note for the Supreme Council of Heads of Governments [Regarding] Resumption of Communications With Germany

The Special Council, instructed by the Supreme Economic Council, to study the question of the re-establishment of postal relations with Germany, has arrived unanimously at the following decisions which are submitted for the approval of the Supreme Council of the Heads of Governments.

(1)
The post offices of the Allied and Associated countries are authorised to enter into direct relations with the German post office for the immediate re-establishment of postal relations as far as ordinary and registered letters, as well as parcel posts, are concerned.
(2)
The question of transit through Germany for postal correspondence shall be examined by the ensemble of the Allied and Associated Delegates with the German Delegation at Versailles.
(3)
The telegraph offices of the Allied and Associated Powers are authorised to enter into direct relations with the German telegraph office for the provisional re-establishment of telegraphic and telephonic communications.
*(4)
The public shall be notified as soon as possible that the postal and telegraphic relations with the non-occupied part of Germany are resumed under the following conditions:—
(a)
Commercial correspondence can be sent under sealed cover.
(b)
Private correspondence can be sent only by postal card.
(c)
The above categories of correspondence may be registered.
(d)
Telegrams must be written in plain language, and only in French, English, Italian, and German.
(e)
Each administration shall announce later the conditions under which the telephonic service shall be resumed.
(5)
The services of postal and telegraphic control shall be informed of the above decisions so that they may take in due time the measures which they shall deem necessary.
(6)
In submitting to the Supreme Council of the Heads of Governments the above proposals, the Special Council recommends that the resolution of the Communications Section concerning the immediate re-establishment of the international railroad service with Germany be adopted, so as to make the lifting of the blockade effective, and that the Governments concerned be instructed to execute said resolutions.
Seydoux

Chairman of Special Committee
[Page 519]

Appendix 258

Decision by Supreme Council of Principal Allied and Associated Powers [Regarding] Resumption of Communications With Germany8

It was decided that the whole question, together with the subsidiary question of parcel post and money orders, raised by the British Delegation, should be put on the Agenda for the following day.

The proposals of the Special Committee were modified in two respects, and were provisionally approved, as follows:—

“(4) The public will be notified as soon as possible that postal and telegraphic relations with non-occupied Germany will be reopened under the following conditions:—

  • “(a) Commercial ‘and private’ correspondence can be sent closed.
  • “(b) The above-mentioned correspondence can be registered.
  • “(c) Telegrams should be written en clair and only in the following languages: French, English, Italian, German, or ‘Japanese.’
  • “(d) Each administration will later publish the conditions under which telephone service will be restarted.”

July 28, 1919.

Appendix 259

Memorandum of the French Delegation Concerning Inter-Allied Control of Foodstuffs

1. It had been hoped that the restoration of peace would allow the different Allied and Associated Governments to suppress State control and the regulations set up during the war.

These national and Inter-Allied organisations were set up exclusively for war purposes, in order to ensure co-operation and mutual aid between nations with a view to defeating the enemy.

The maintenance of national control in peace time only has the effect of allowing certain countries to create for themselves a privileged economic situation compared with other countries.

This state of affairs is liable to create friction between countries, renders impossible any idea of international credits, and discourages work and production.

In principle, therefore, we must desire the speediest possible abolition of all such control.

2. It cannot however be doubted that the war is not yet completely over, that the supplies of some commodities are still less than requirements, [Page 520] that tonnage is insufficient to satisfy the demands made on it, and that commerce cannot fulfil its normal role of ensuring supplies.

States must therefore themselves for some time to come ensure the supply of their populations; but they must do so as a measure of liquidation of the state of war.

3. This being admitted, it is necessary that as long as these national controls last there should be Inter-Allied and even international co-operation, so as to avoid a competition between States which would be injurious both to their finances and to their mutual relations.

We therefore propose that an organisation should be maintained in order to co-ordinate national controls as regards wheat, frozen meat, sugar, and various foodstuffs in European countries.

E. V.

Appendix 260

[Memorandum by the Italian Delegation Regarding the] Coal Situation in Italy

The Italian Delegation has very little to add to what has been repeatedly said regarding the coal situation in Italy. Suffice it to say that, incredible though it may seem, the situation is even worse than it was, and that everything points to a still worse time to come. The railway service is again being reduced, privately-owned coal is being commandeered, and, despite the fact that 500,000 men are already unemployed, strikes are being organised artificially in the most important coal-consuming industries in order to camouflage the situation.

The following features of the case deserve special consideration:

I.

Just recently England has decided to cut down her coal exports to Italy by 56 per cent.* and in an almost equal measure, if not less, to France. Quite apart from the unpleasant effect of such drastic measures (for which, of course, many sound and good reasons can be found), when taken so suddenly and without any previous consultation with the importing countries, it is quite apparent that an equal reduction of exports to France and to Italy leads to quite unequal results, because while France imports only a supplement to her home production, Italy must import from abroad the whole of her coal requirements.

Furthermore, the longer voyage from America reacts in such a way as to make American coal more available to France than to Italy.

[Page 521]

It is therefore only fair that the proportion of British coal to be exported to Italy should be increased as compared to that to be exported to France, so as to bring about an equal total deficiency in both countries.

II.

The system of the dual price, one for home consumption and one for export, which has been inaugurated in England, is working against the most vital interests of Italy. The difference between these two prices amounts to almost 30s. per ton. This difference is tantamount to a correspondingly increased import duty on goods of Italian origin imported into England, and to a corresponding protection of British industries as against Italian. In the case of Italy it works out more unfavourably than in the case of France, because of the above-mentioned fact that Italy must import from abroad the whole of her national coal requirements.

III.

The question of German coal for Italy, which was brought up in the last memorandum of the Italian Delegation (see letter from Professor B. Attolico to Lord Robert Cecil),9 has been temporarily settled by a friendly understanding between Italy and France, whereby the latter leaves to Italy the import for the incoming month (5th August to 5th September) of 175,000 tons of German coal (which France will be unable to import herself owing to transport difficulties) such understanding to be renewed possibly for the next one or two months.

The Supreme Economic Council is requested to ratify this understanding and also to make a general ruling that until the Reparation Commission is in a position to handle this problem, whatever coal France is unable to draw for herself under the priority established by the Peace Treaty, is to be left to Italy.

IV.

It is, however, incumbent upon the Italian Delegation to point out that, in the course of time, the provisional measures stated under III will not be sufficient.

While the dual price system in England (mentioned under II) protects British industries, the low price of German coal, which is assured to France in priority under the Peace Terms, works automatically as a protection of French industries.

If all these conditions remain unchanged, Italy will be precluded altogether from competitive production, and, therefore, the revival of [Page 522] the economic life of Italy will be rendered impossible. It will be appreciated that Italy can only get on her feet again through work. Industrial work, of course, implies the possibility of profitable production, and just now manufacturers in Italy are beginning to realise that the cost of raw materials, plus freight, plus coal, plus wages, is such as not to allow of any competitive production for export purposes, while production for the home market is rendered so expensive that it reacts on the cost of living in a way to bring about the collapse of the whole economic organism of the country, which is dependent for its existence on low cost of living. Italians are known all over the world as very industrious and hard-working people; but if work is rendered impossible, then life also is impossible. The question is an extremely grave and far-reaching one.*

V.

Some of the facts above mentioned prove that the question of coal will necessarily remain for many months to come a matter of great international concern, if anything like economic equality, such as will ensure fairly equal chances of working and producing, is to be secured and the foundations of peace maintained.

Those countries which are happy enough to possess coal, other important raw materials and freight, possess something on which not only their own life, but also the life of all other countries depends. Some limitation to the unlimited free use of these resources is necessary if world-life is to be assured.

In no other case, therefore, is international co-operation and mutual help—not mere consultation—so essential as in the case of coal.

B. Attolico

Appendix 261

Memorandum From the Director-General of Relief on the Goal Situation in Europe

I desire to again raise to the Council the coal situation in Europe.

Under the direction of the Supreme Council and the Supreme Economic Council, my administration undertook the promotion of production and, so far as possible, to control the distribution of coal [Page 523] during the Armistice in Central and Eastern Europe. A considerable staff has been employed upon this labour, and numerous agreements and undertakings entered upon, involving the old States of Austria, the Balkans, Poland, and to some extent Germany. While the results could not be ideal, they have at least served to maintain sufficient supplies for the transportation of municipal and domestic services necessary to maintain life. With the ending of the Armistice (and this authority) and with the superimposition of the Separation Commission over a considerable part of this problem, the supervision which we have exerted must necessarily cease.

Colonel A. C. Goodyear and Colonel W. G. Atwood of our staff have compiled a summary (see Appendix) of the 1913 production and consumption of the principal countries in Europe (excluding Russia and the Balkan States), and have also conducted a careful enquiry into the probable production during the year 1919, based upon the experience of the first six months of the year. The net result shows that from a production of about 679,500,000 tons in the principal countries in Europe (except Russia) the production in these States has fallen to a rate of about 443,000,000 tons per annum. Of the 1913 production above mentioned, about 614,000,000 tons were consumed in these States (i. e., outside the Balkan States and export markets foreign to Europe). In other words, the production has fallen approximately 236,500,000 tons, or down to 65 per cent, of normal production. The consumption cannot be decreased in this ratio (35 per cent.) upon certain vital consumers, such as transportation and municipal and other essential services, so that a shortage for manufacture and household use must be on a far greater ratio. Beyond this, the very natural tendency of productive countries to reserve a larger degree of their normal consumption will and does result in an undersupply to the non-producing countries far below a 35 per cent, reduction. Furthermore, the summer accumulation against winter use has not been in progress, and therefore the hardships of the coming winter are even further increased.

It seems almost unnecessary to repeat the causes of this diminished production, but they may be again summarised as due to certain specific causes which in fact are much the same in all productive industries.

To a minor degree, compared with the whole, there has been a loss of equipment and skill due to the war; there has been a retardation of advance exploitation during the war; there has been a relaxation of effort as a reflex from the physical exhaustion of large sections of the population through privations and the mental and physical strain of the war; there is a shortage of railway rolling stock for prompt movement from the mines; there has been an unsettlement of political destiny of a number of coalfields by the Peace terms; and, above all, [Page 524] the proper and insistent demand of labour for higher standards of living in the general unbalance of economic conditions has been manifested in repeated strikes and other deterrents to production. Unfortunately, European labour at many points has become infected with the theory that the limitation of effort below physical necessity and the obstruction of labour-saving devices will increase their own comfort and improve their conditions. In turn, the reactions from undue profits earned by proprietors during the war has brought a shock to the theory of private ownership, which has discouraged further investment and consequently a renewed opening of new areas which the maintenance of production demands. All these causes are operating to varying degree in different localities, but their summation is shortage of production below the living necessity of the population of Europe.

With the arrival of a harvest and thus the solution of immediate food pressure, the problem of coal now comes to the front as the greatest menace to the stability and life in Europe. It is a problem domestic to Europe and incapable of solution from the United States. Disregarding all other questions, an additional load of 1,000,000 tons per month on American ports would indeed be a large tax in the face of the trebling of the United States food exports above pre-war normal. Furthermore, even such a tonnage would entail a tax on the world’s shipping that cannot but affect freight rates generally. With a shortage in production of 20,000,000 tons per month a contribution of even double this amount from the United States would be but little help.

The solution of the problem demands, first, increased production and, second, organisation of distribution.

It would perhaps contribute to the first problem if the coal miners and coal owners of all Europe could be brought to a realisation that the fate of European civilisation now rests in their hands to a degree equal to—if not greater than—in the hands of providers of food supplies during the next year.

The solution of the second problem—distribution—is vital if the non-producing States are not to collapse, and in its conduct it should be possible to force the maximum production in those States who are partially supplied.

I urgently recommend that some form of coal control should be set up in Europe with view to the stimulation of production and to secure a distribution that will maintain the essential services upon which economic and political stability must rest. The problem cannot be solved for any one European country alone, but the energies of all must be enlisted and the position of all must be considered. It is purely a domestic problem for Europe.

Herbert Hoover
[Page 525]

Appendix

In the figures below the following omissions and assumptions have been made on account of there being no information available:

  • Russia and Hungary are not considered.
  • Spain: production has so increased since 1913 that local needs can be provided for.
  • Bulgaria, Roumania, Turkey, Greece, and Greater Serbia are also omitted from the statistics.

The 1913 coal production and consumption in the other countries of Europe, based as nearly as possible on the boundary lines established by the Peace Treaties, were as follows:—

Production Consumption
Austria 2,250,000 12,000,000
Belgium 23,000,000 26,000,000
Czecho-Slovakia* 32,000,000 24,500,000
Denmark 3,785,000
France† 58,000,000 79,000,000
Germany‡ 262,000,000 228,500,000
Great Britain 292,000,000 192,000,000
Holland 1,900,000 6,305,000
Italy 11,000,000
Luxemburg 3,800,000
Norway 2,284,000
Poland 8,000,000 15,500,000
Sweden 6,195,000
Switzerland 3,500,000
Total 679,150,000 614,369,000

*Including Ostrau-Karwin (Teschen).

†Including Saar.

‡Including Upper Silesia.

The coal-producing countries, listed below, are now producing at about the following annual rate, the second column being the percentage of 1913 production listed:—

Production Percentage
Austria 1,600,000 71
Belgium 19,000,000 83
Czecho-Slovakia 25,000,000 78
France 23,000,000 40
Germany 180,000,000 69
Great Britain 183,000,000 62
Poland 6,000,000 68
Other States in previous tables 5,400,000 Uncertain.
Total 443,000,000 65

[Page 526]

Appendix 262

Note on the Future Functions of the Sub-Committee on Germany

The Sub-Committee on Germany was appointed to fulfil three main functions:—

1.
To co-ordinate the work of the different sections of the Supreme Economic Council in respect of current economic negotiations with Germany.
2.
To centralise communications on current economic negotiations with the German Economic Delegation at Versailles.
3.
To give directions in the name of the Supreme Economic Council to the Inter-Allied Rhineland Commission.

As regards Function 1, it is not clear to what extent the work referred to will be covered by the work of the Reparation Commission.

Function 2 disappears with the termination of the Armistice. With special reference to paragraph 1, it could be decided that the work of the Sub-Committee should lapse either (a) when outstanding economic questions are disposed of (see Schedule attached), or (b) when such outstanding questions can be handed over to any body appointed by the Allied and Associated Governments to deal with them. In this connection it should be noted that in the absence of any such body formally constituted, there might be a break in the continuity if the Sub-Committee on Germany were to be dissolved before the creation of a body to take up the work upon which it had been engaged.

Pending the creation of the Inter-Allied Rhineland High Commission, the Sub-Committee is the body to which the Inter-Allied Rhineland Commission looks for instructions in economic matters. It is to be presumed that the High Commission will be appointed in time to enter upon its duties coincidently with the ratification of the Peace Treaty, by three of the great Allied and Associated Powers, but it should be pointed out:—

(a)
That the Allied and Associated Governments have as yet taken no steps to appoint the personnel of the High Commission.
(b)
That there are signs that the ratification required may not be so speedy as had been anticipated. In these circumstances it would seem desirable that the Sub-Committee on Germany should continue to fulfil the function of directing the existing Rhineland Commission, on such economic matters as do not come within the scope of the Reparation Commission, until such time as it is replaced by the High Commission.

In the memorandum attached to the Rhineland Convention, and initialled by the Council of Four,10 it is provided that the High Commission [Page 527] is to be responsible in economic matters to the Supreme Economic Council or whatever body is appointed to take the place of the Supreme Economic Council. It would seem desirable that, at any rate, during the preliminary period of the existence of the High Commission, the High Commission should continue to be responsible to and to take instructions from some Inter-Allied body on such economic matters as do not come within the scope of the Reparation Commission. Expediency alone will suggest that it is not desirable that the preliminary work of the Commission in this respect should be regulated by correspondence between Coblenz and the capitals of the Allied and Associated Powers.

It is therefore suggested that the Sub-Committee on Germany should be empowered to continue whenever necessary to correspond and consult with the Inter-Allied Rhineland High Commission on such economic matters as may require decision by an Inter-Allied body, and do not come within the scope of the Reparation Commission.

It has been generally assumed that with the lifting of the blockade Germany will be able to obtain through private credits a sufficient supply of food and raw materials to meet her chief needs. The abolition of the Rotterdam Food Commission and the lapse of the Brussels Agreement will produce a situation which would be fraught with grave danger to Europe in the event either of Germany not being able to obtain sufficient quantities of food and raw materials, or of Germany obtaining such quantities at the cost of increased prices in the world market. Such a situation should not be allowed to arise unforeseen. Whilst the Reparation Commission will be concerned solely with forcing Germany to pay reparation, there will almost inevitably be, in the disturbed state of Europe, economic questions affecting the rest of the world and the rest of Europe with which the Reparation Commission is not itself concerned. It may be convenient to have a Sub-Committee so that it might be possible without special formalities to call an informal conference to consider the relations of the German problem with these other problems.

Further, the Reparation Commission will probably not get into full working order for several weeks, during which time events of considerable importance may take place. It is suggested, therefore, that the Sub-Committee should adjourn sine die, so that if it is thought necessary to call it together again at the recommendation of two or more of the Allies it could meet and would report, as the case might be, at the time of its meetings, either to the Supreme Economic Council or to the International Economic Council.

[Page 528]
[Enclosure]

Report by the Secretary, Sub-Committee on Germany, on Outstanding Matters Requiring Settlement

Twelfth Meeting.

Reference Minute 88. Recent political developments in the Rhineland.

No reply has yet been received to the Sub-Committee’s memorandum (No. 64)11 to the Council of Heads of States.

Reference Minute 89. Dyestuffs for Czecho-Slovakia, memorandum (No. 66).12

No reply has been received from the Dyestuffs Committee of Raw Materials Section.

Thirteenth Meeting.

Reference Minute 97. Diversion of coke for French blast furnaces.

No reply has so far been received from the French authorities in connection with this matter.

Fourteenth Meeting.

Reference Minute 108. Negotiations arising under the Luxemburg Protocol.

An agreement has been reached as regards quantities to be supplied, but the question of prices of minette ore still remains unsettled.

Fifteenth Meeting.

Reference Minute 135. Personnel of the I. A. R. H. C. under the Convention.

Names of High Commissioners to be communicated through various Foreign Offices concerned to Allied Governments concerned.

Sixteenth Meeting.

Reference Minute 143. Trade restrictions on Germany during the period between the raising of the blockade and the coming into force of the Peace Treaty.

The resolutions of the Sub-Committee were referred to the Organisation Committee of the Reparation Commission, which body has so far made no reply.

Seventeenth Meeting.

Reference Minute 148. Organisation under the Convention of the I. A. R. H. C. Memorandum (No. 124)12 by the Sub-Committee to the Council of Five.

Up to the present this question has not been discussed by the Council of Five.

Eighteenth Meeting.

Points on the agenda.

[Page 529]

Appendix 263

[Letter From the] Committee on Organisation of the Commission of Reparation

Mr. President: I beg to inform you that the Committee on Organisation of the Reparation Commission has agreed that the Shipping Section of your Council should be asked to consider a scheme for the repartition of enemy tonnage, and to collect as soon as possible such statistical data as will enable the Reparation Commission to come to a decision with full knowledge.

It is understood that this measure will be provisional, and that the Reparation Commission retains full right to determine what organisation they desire to deal with shipping questions.

I am [etc.]

Loucheur

The President,
Supreme Economic Council, Paris.

Appendix 264

Decision by Supreme Council of Allied and Associated Powers [Regarding the] Use of Adriatic Ports for Serbian Supplies13

M. Tittoni said that he would give telegraphic orders that goods destined for Serbia through the port of Fiume should proceed immediately, and that the revictualling of Jugo-Slavia in food, clothes, petroleum and other goods at present waiting at Fiume, should not be hampered by the interruption of communication, as the forwarding of these goods was of vital importance for the army and population of Jugo-Slavia.

Note was taken of M. Tittoni’s declaration regarding the orders given by him three days previously for the resumption of transit by land.

M. Tittoni agreed to the use by the Serbians of Fiume as a port of transit, provided the French base or the Italian commissariat be used exclusively. The choice of either should be left with the Serbians.

[Page 530]

Appendix 265

[Letter From the] Greek Delegation to the Peace Congress [Regarding] Greek Stocks in Russia

The Greek Minister of Foreign Affairs has the honour to bring to the notice of the President of the Supreme Economic Council that large stocks of tobacco and other goods of a total value of over 50 millions belonging to Greek merchants, are held up at Crimean ports. On the other hand, the Greeks who have remained in South Russia are threatened with famine, and it is a matter of great urgency that provisions and merchandise of the first necessity should be furnished for them. It would be necessary, in consequence, that the permits required by the Allied Naval Authorities at Constantinople should be granted to certain Greek steamers to enter the Black Sea on their way to Crimean ports. These ships which would be loaded with provisions and goods of the first importance could, on their return journey, transport in whole or in part the stocks of merchandise mentioned above.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs has the honour to beg the President of the Supreme Economic Council to be good enough, in taking into account the large Greek interests which are threatened, and the urgency of supplying the Greek inhabitants of the Crimea, to submit this question to the Supreme Economic Council in order that instructions in this sense may be forwarded to the Naval Command at Constantinople.

The President,
Supreme Economic Council.

Appendix 266

Memorandum From Director-General of Relief [(Hoover) Giving a] Forecast of Situation in Bread Grains

The present date gives the last opportunity for pre-harvest forecast. The next available figures will be harvest data, of little additional value until the 1st September. Wheat has continued to deteriorate in the United Kingdom. It has not improved in France and Italy. Bread grains have improved in Germany and Hungary, and have held their own in Czecho-Slovakia. Bread grains have held their own in the south-east, but the maize is so retarded, the conditions so poor and the climatic prospects, on the basis of experience, so unfavourable that we must fear a maize crop so small as to exclude the possibility [Page 531] of exportation of any material amount of wheat. Crops in Denmark and Sweden are stated to have improved and with regular heavy carry-overs, their import requirements will tend to be lower.

The condition of spring wheat in the United States and Canada has deteriorated so rapidly and so gravely as to have reduced the figure for exportable surplus from North America very heavily. The conditions for the new crop in India are favourable, in the Argentine unfavourable. The margin of safety between import demands and exportable surplus has been notably narrowed during the past month.

[Enclosure]

Final Pre-Harvest Forecast, July 20

Bread Grains

[Thousands of Tons.]

Country Crop Ex-Seed Minimal Consumption Maximal Consumption Minimal Import Maximal Import
WESTERN EUROPE
United Kingdom 1,500 7,300 8,100 5,330 6,600
France 5,700 7,380 10,350 1,680 4,550
Italy 4,000 7,000 7,200 3,000 3,200
Belgium 340 1,350 2,380 1,010 2,020
Finland 250 650 800 400 550
Norway 30 380 410 350 380
Sweden 710 1,010 1,100 300 390
Denmark 410 540 920 130 520
Holland 470 1,190 1,460 720 990
Switzerland 140 610 680 470 540
Spain 3,780 3,780 3,900 120
Total 17,330 31,190 37,300 13,390 19,860
EASTERN EUROPE
Germany 8,500 11,160 12,230 3,000 4,250
Austria 520 1,350 1,460 810 940
Hungary 1,850 1,800 1,860 210
Poland 4,000 4,860 5,900 800 1,200
Czecho-Slovakia 1,720 2,160 2,780 200 400
Roumania 2,050 1,800 3,240
S. H. S. 1,240 1,350 2,000
Bulgaria 1,160 900 960
Total 21,040 25,380 30,430 4,810 7,000
Grand Total 38,370 56,570 67,730 18,200 26,860

Probable Export Surpluses

Minimal Maximal
United States 10,000 11,000
Canada 1,500 2,000
The Plate 2,500 4,000
Australia 2,000 4,000
Total 16,000 21,000

In the event of a good maize yield per average in Roumania, Bulgaria, and S. H. S., they will have between 1,000 and 1,500 for export, but with present maize forecast this is very improbable.

[Page 532]

Appendix 267

[Cablegrams From Major Green, Head of the American Mission at Tiflis, to the Director General of Relief (Hoover)]

Copy of Cablegram Sent Mr. Hoover by Major Green, Head of the American Mission at Tiflis

Following from Green, Tiflis:—

“July 23. Long conference with Armenian President to-day. See joint telegram to-day’s date from chiefs American organisations and see despatches sent by French and British. Situation growing worse. Turkish Army well prepared and Tartars advancing from three sides. If military protection is not in Armenia immediately disaster will be more terrible than massacres of 1915, and the Armenian nation will be crushed to everlasting shame of Allied Powers. Predict that relief work will become impossible in present situation unless order is restored. Cannot something be done to have British forces in Caucasus intervene to save Armenia? Please acknowledge by telegraph.

Green, Bristol.”

Copy of Cablegram Sent Mr. Hoover by Major Green, Head of the American Mission at Tiflis

Turks and Tartars advancing. In districts of Karabagh and [Gezus?] they now occupy approximately reopened territory of Russian Armenia. Khalil Bey, Turkish colonel now in command Azerbaidjan Tartars. Relief depots and relief trains surrounded and probably seized. British state orders from above prevent their interfering. Armenian Government and people almost in despair. General mobilisation ordered yesterday taking away men just as harvest begins. We shall not be able to carry on relief work much longer unless British receive orders to clear all Russian Armenia including Karabagh and [Gezur?] of Turk and Tartar forces.

Green, Bristol.

Copy of Cablegram Sent Mr. Hoover From Major Green, Head of the American Mission at Tiflis

Hoover, Paris.

Following from Green, Tiflis. Quote M. U. D. 40 of 26th July:—

“Relief work in Russian Armenia cannot be safeguarded unless European troops are sent to that country. See accurate and conservative report on situation by Moore of the 24th July.

[Page 533]

“Your M. U. D. [500] 26 and identic telegram from Clemenceau to French Mission arrived. Garbled but sense sufficiently clear. Note has been sent to Georgian Government by French Mission.

Green, Bristol.”

Appendix 268

Report of July 1, 1919 [of the] Allied Maritime Transport Executive [Regarding] German and Austro-Hungarian Tonnage Assigned to Allied Management During the Armistice

Assignment—Deliveries—Employment

The accompanying tables show, as at the 1st July, the tonnage of German and Austrian steamers delivered to the Allied and Associated Governments, and their employment at that date.

During the month of June, deliveries have continued steadily, and the tonnage in German and Austrian ports due to be delivered under the Armistice has practically all been handed over.

With regard to the tonnage in neutral ports, the delivery of steamers in Holland is well in hand, while that of steamers in Spanish ports is almost complete.

As to steamers in South American and Dutch East Indian ports, delivery has been unavoidably delayed owing to the difficulty of dealing at a distance with complicated questions such as disposal of cargoes on board, repairs, repatriation of crews, &c., but these points are now in course of settlement.

As regards crews, the position continues to be that no difficulty is found in manning the German and Austrian vessels with Allied crews.

July 1919.

[Enclosure]

Contents

A.
—German and Austro-Hungarian Tonnage:—
Summarised Tables:—
1.
Assignment to Allied Management.
2.
Employment.
B.
—Austrian Tonnage:—
3.
Assignment.
4.
Employment.
5.
Employment (summarised for May–July 1919).
C.
—German Tonnage:—
6.
Assignment.
7.
Deliveries.
8.
Employment.
9.
Employment (summarised for May–July 1919).
[Page 534]

1.—Assignment of German and Austro-Hungarian Tonnage to Allied Management, July 1, 1919

[Steamers of 500 gross tons and over.]

Assignment Total Austro-Hungarian German
No. Gross Tonnage Dead-weight No. Gross Tonnage Dead-weight No. Gross Tonnage Dead-weight
Italy—
Long-distance passenger. 25 145,902 144,008 25 145,902 144,008
Other passenger (or Passenger and cargo) 39 81,651 82,375 39 81,651 82,375
Cargo 108 366,058 584,339 108 366,058 584,339
Cable 1 2,691 1,050 1 2,691 1,050
Total 173 596,302 811,772 172 593,611 810,722 1 2,691 1,050
France—
Long-distance passenger. 10 83,046 77,944 10 83,046 77,944
Other passenger (or passenger and cargo) 19 28,013 23,412 13 22,221 23,412
Cargo 104 376,903 599,953 18 52,455 82,681 86 324,448 517,272
Total 133 487,962 701,309 31 74,676 106,093 102 413,286 595,216
Great Britain—
Long-distance passenger. 34 275,043 254,738 34 275,043 254,738
Other passenger 5 6,715 5 6,715
Cargo 196 866,532 1,358,213 196 866,532 1,358,213
Cable 1 4,630 2,000 1 4,630 2,000
Total 236 1,152,920 1,614,951 236 1,152,920 1,164,951
United States—
Long-distance passenger. 18 250,802 188,926 18 250,802 188,926
Long-distance passenger 18 250,802 188,926 18 250,802 188,926
Other passenger (or passenger and cargo) 1 647 780 1 647 780
Cargo 38 200,836 312,379 38 200,836 312,379
Total 57 452,285 502,085 1 647 780 56 451,638 501,305
Belgium—
Cargo 4 8,050 12,800 4 8,050 12,800
Total—
Long-distance passenger 87 754,793 665,616 25 145,902 144,008 62 608,891 521,608
Other passenger (or passenger and cargo) 64 117,026 106,567 53 104,519 106,567 11 12,507
Cargo 450 1,818,379 2,867,734 126 418,513 667,020 324 1,399,866 2,200,714
Cable 2 7,321 3,000 2 7,321
Grand total 603 2,697,519 3,642,917 204 668,934 917,595 399 2,028,585 2,725,322
[Page 535]

2.—Employment of German and Austro-Hungarian Tonnage Assigned to Allied Management, July 1, 1919

[Steamers of 500 gross tons and over]

Employment,July 1,1919 Total Austro-Hungarian German
No. Gross Tonnage Dead-weight No. Gross Tonnage Dead-weight No. Gross Tonnage Dead-weight
German relief 117 577,532 919,911 3 7,367 11,275 114 570,165 908,636
Other European relief 82 332,962 510,498 75 309,707 472,849 7 23,255 37,649
Allied importing services 20 74,888 120,520 10 35,528 58,284 10 39,360 62,236
Mediterranean and Adriatic merchant services 44 85,670 94,437 44 85,670 94,437
Allied military and naval services 92 567,535 527,740 45 131,750 154,753 47 444,785 372,987
Total in active service 355 1,647,587 2,173,106 177 570,022 791,598 178 1,077,565 1,381,508
Repairing or refitting 75 302,399 402,513 21 70,325 87,347 54 232,074 315,166
Otherwise unemployed or employment unreported. 33 91,835 135,025 33 91,835 135,025
Total delivered but inactive 108 394,234 537,538 21 70,325 87,347 87 323,909 450,191
Assigned,but not delivered: Total 140 655,698 932,273 6 28,587 38,650 134 627,111 893,623
Grand total assigned to Allied management 603 2,697,519 3,642,917 204 668,934 917,595 399 2,028,585 2,725,322

Note.—The only vessels under 500 gross tons are Austro-Hungarian vessels, principally under Italian management, employed in the Adriatic, aggregating about 20,000 gross tons.

3.—Assignment of Austro-Hungarian Tonnage to Allied Management, July 1, 1919

[Steamers of 500 gross tonnage and over.]

Assignment for Management to— Total Passenger or Passenger and Cargo Cargo
No. Gross Tonnage Dead-weight No. Gross Tonnage Dead-weight No. Gross Tonnage Dead-weight
Italy 172 593,611 810,722 64 227,553 226,383 108 366,058 584,339
France 31 74,676 106,093 13 22,221 23,412 18 52,455 82,681
Great Britain
United States 1 647 780 1 647 780
Total assigned* 204 668,934 917,595 78 250,421 250,575 126 418,513 667,020

*Including 2 vessels launched and completing, but excluding 12 completed vessels not yet requisitioned.

[Page 536]

4.—Employment op Austro-Hungarian Tonnage Under Allied Management, July 1, 1919

[Steamers of 500 gross tonnage and over.]

[Page 537]
Total Italian Management French Management British or American Management
No. Gross Tonnage Dead-weight No. Gross Tonnage Dead-weight No. Gross Tonnage Dead-weight No. Gross Tonnage Dead-weight
I. —German relief cargoes–
From West Africa (Total) 3 7,737 11,275 3 7,367 11,275
II. —Other European relief cargoes—
From United States 53 224,395 339,990 52 220,617 333,790 1 3,778 6,200
“ Plate 18 65,379 103,784 12 40,553 64,634 6 24,826 37,150
“ Australia 3 17,182 24,325 3 17,182 24,325
“ West Africa 1 2,751 4,750 1 2,751 4,750
Total 75 309,707 472,849 67 287,352 422,749 8 31,355 50,100
III. —Allied importing or other merchant service,other than Mediterranean–
United States: cargo from Italy 2 7,008 11,755 2 7,008 11,755
United Kingdom: cargo from Italy 1 1,224 3,579 1 1,224 3,579
Italy: coal from United Kingdom 4 17,044 27,100 4 17,044 27,100
Italy: cargo from France 3 10,252 15,850 3 10,252 15,850
Total 10 35,528 58,284 10 35,528 58,284
IV. —Mediterranean and Adriatic service—
Adriatic lines 31 44,652 50,826 31 44,652 50,826
Other Adriatic trades 3 3,568 5,200 3 3,568 5,200
Mediterranean lines 10 37,450 38,411 10 37,450 38,411
Total 44 85,670 94,437 44 85,670 94,437
V. —Allied military and naval services—
Italian military services 15 45,482 53,685 15 45,482 53,685
French military and naval service 18 32,189 39,481 18 32,189 39,481
British military service 3 16,324 15,225 3 16,324 15,225
American military service 2 12,692 16,327 2 12,692 16,327
“ naval service 1 647 780 1 647 780
Other Allied military service—
Trooping 5 21,217 24,605 5 21,217 24,605
Supplies 1 3,199 4,650 1 3,199 4,650
Total 45 131,750 154,753 26 98,914 114,492 18 32,189 39,481 1 647 780*
VI. —Reparing or refitting for
German relief 1 2,321 3,524 1 2,321 3,524
European relief 10 45,306 62,161 10 45,306 62,161
Allied importing services 2 5,848 9,483 2 5,848 9,483
Mediterranean and Adriatic trades 4 5,234 4,636 4 5,234 4,638
Military or naval service 3 9,739 5,103 2 8,295 3,390 1 1,444 1,713
Services unassigned 1 1,877 2,440 1 1,877 2,440
Total 21 70,325 87,347 19 66,560 82,110 2 3,765 5,237
VII. —Otherwise unemployed or employment unreported—
Total
VIII —Assigned, but not yet delivered—
In other ports 4 13,427 21,150 4 13,427 21,150
Launched and completing 2 15,160 17,500 2 15,160 17,500
Total 6 28,587 38,650 6 28,587 38,650
Grand total of tonnage assigned to Allied management 204 668,934 917,595 172 593,611 810,722 31 74,676 106,093 1 647 780
Note.—Tonnage unassigned— 9 50,400
Launched and completing 9 50,400
On stocks 12 63,220
In foreign ports 1 4,238
Subject of enquiry 1 540
Total 23 118,398

*American management.

5.—Employment of Austro-Hungarian Tonnage Under Allied Management, May-July 1919

[Steamers of 500 gross tons and over.]

[Page 538]
Service May 1 June 1 July 1
No. Gross Tonnage Dead Weight No. Gross Tonnage Dead-weight No. Gross Tonnage Dead-weight
I. —Employed in merchant services—
German relief 3 7,367 11,275
European relief—
North Atlantic cargoes 37 148,341 228,895 51 216,614 327,035 53 224,395 339,990
South Atlantic cargoes 3 8,989 13,350 10 33,123 51,619 18 65,379 103,784
Australian cargoes 2 10,105 17,750 3 17,182 24,325 3 17,182 24,325
West African cargoes 6 16,297 25,899 1 2,751 4,750
Italian imports 4 13,028 20,679 9 36,059 56,979 7 27,296 42,950
French imports 1 3,778 6,200
United Kingdom imports 1 1,224 3,579
United States imports 3 12,117 19,650 2 7,008 11,755
Mediterranean and Adriatic services 39 68,403 79,463 45 81,675 95,953 44 85,670 38,411
Total in merchant services 89 264,761 385,987 124 400,950 581,810 132 438,272 580,819
II. —Employed in military and naval services—
Italian military service 15 47,212 57,820 14 44,670 52,685 15 45,482 53,685
French military or naval service 19 40,260 50,983 20 36,861 45,676 18 32,189 39,481
British military service 3 16,244 15,280 5 27,596 22,080 3 16,324 15,225
American military and naval services 6 36,862 37,157 3 13,339 17,107 3 13,339 17,107
Other Allied military service 6 29,403 33,325 7 31,789 39,885 6 24,416 29,255
Total in military and naval services 49 169,981 194,565 49 154,255 177,433 45 131,750 154,753
III. —Not in active service—
Repairing and refitting for—
Allied importing services 7 28,122 45,798 2 5,759 9,573 2 5,848 9,483
Mediterranean and Adriatic trades 9 15,902 17,712 3 4,966 4,120 4 5,234 4,636
Military or naval service 8 29,118 25,068 3 9,544 5,158 3 9,739 5,103
Employment unreported 1 520 154
Total not in active service 58 197,021 285,153 22 73,598 100,272 21 70,325 87,347
IV. —Assigned,but not yet delivered—
Launched and completing. 2 15,160 17,500 2 15,160 17,500 2 15,160 17,500
In foreign ports 7 12,795 39,480 6 22,607 34,980 4 13,427 21,150
Total assigned, but not delivered 9 40,955 56,980 8 37,767 52,480 6 28,587 38,650
Grand total 205 672,718 922,685 203 666,570 911,995 204 668,934 861,569

6.—Assignment of German Tonnage to Allied Management, July 1, 1919

[Steamers 500 gross tons and over]

Assignment Total
No. Gross Tonnage Dead weight
Long Distance Passenger—
France 10 83,046 77,944
Great Britain 34 275,043 254,738
United States 18 250,802 188,926
Total 62 608,891 521,608
Other Passenger*—
France 6 5,792
Great Britain 5 6,715
Total 11 12,507
Cargo Vessels—
France 86 324,448 517,272
Great Britain 196 866,532 1,358,213
United States 38 200,836 312,379
Belguim 4 8,050 12,800
Total 324 1,399,866 2,200,664
Cable Ships–
Italy 1 2,691 1,050
Great Britain 1 4,630 2,000
Total 2 7,321 3,050
Total—
Italy 1 2,691 1,050
France 101 412,140 595,216
Great Britain 236 1,152,920 1,614,951
United States 56 451,638 501,305
Belgium 5 9,196 12,800
Grand Total 399 2,028,585 2,725,322

*Small passenger vessels—no information is at present available as to the deadweight in the case of these vessels.

[Page 539]

7.—Delivery of German Tonnage to Allied Management, July 1, 1919

[Steamers 500 gross tons and over.]

Assignment No. Gross Tonnage Dead weight
France-Long Distance Passenger 11 92,201 89,994
Cargo 67 254,987 409,709
Small Passenger 2 2,225 ?
Total 80 349,413
Great Britain—
Long Distance Passenger* 31 225,932 224,098
Cargo† 130 595,026 932,318
Small Passenger 2 2,454 ?
Cable Ship 1 4,630 2,000
Total 164 828,042
United States—
Long Distance Passenger 10 188,751 127,305
Total 164 828,042
United States—
Long Distance Passenger 10 188,751 127,305
Total 10 188,751 127,305
Total Deliveries—
Long Distance Passenger 52 506,884 441,347
Cargo 197 850,013 1,342,027
Small Passenger 4 4,679 ?
Cable Ship 1 4,630 2,000
Grand Total 254 1,366,206

*Including “Chemnitz,” “Dania,” “Steigerwald,” and “Valencia,” 21,418 gross tonnage, originally classed as cargo vessels.

† Including “Cordoba” and “Giessen,” 11,853 gross tonnage, delivered as cargo vessels, but to be employed for repatriation of troops on the outward voyage.

[Page 540]

8.—Employment of German Tonnage Under Allied Management, July 1, 1919

(statement of 500 gross tonnage and over.)

[Page 541]
Employment Total French Management British Management American,Italian,or Belgian Management
No. Gross Tonnage Dead-weight No. Gross Tonnage Dead-weight No. Gross Tonnage Dead-weight No. Gross Tonnage Dead-weight
1. German relief—
Cargoes from Argentina 45 185,944 301,479 8 35,548 58,724 37 150,396 242,755
“ “ Canada 6 31,755 53,006 1 3,800 6,553 5 27,955 46,453
“ “ United States 40 234,264 370,685 10 58,664 94,693 30 175,600 275,992
“ “ West Africa 11 31,225 49,049 4 12,781 19,274 7 18,444 29,775
“ “ Australia 12 86,977 134,417 5 32,297 52,972 7 54,680 81,445
Total 114 570,165 908,636 28 143,090 232,216 86 427,075 676,420
2. Other European relief—
Cargoes from France 5 14,097 23,219 1 3,669 5,669 4 10,428 17,550
“ “ Holland 1 4,174 6,630 1 4,174 6,630
Russia—cargoes from Canada 1 4,984 7,800 1 4,984 7,800
Total 7 23,255 37,649 1 3,669 5,669 6 19,586 31,980
3. Allied importing services—
Italy—coal from United Kingdom 2 8,775 15,562 2 8,775 15,562
Egypt—from United Kingdom 1 8,322 12,480 1 8,322 12,480
United Kingdom—cargoes from Baltic 7 22,263 34,194 7 22,263 34,194
Total 10 39,360 62,236 10 39,360 62,236
4. Allied military or naval services—
French—reparation of troops 6 43,309 40,159 6 43,309 40,159
British—repatriation of troops 26 187,859 174,323 26 187,859 174,323
American—reparation of troops 10 188,751 127,305 *10 188,751 127,305
Other Allied trooping 1 9,155 12,000 1 9,155 12,000
Naval—
French navy 3 15,151 19,200 3 15,151 19,200
British navy 1 560 1 560
Total 47 444,785 372,987 10 67,615 71,359 27 188,419 174,323 *10 188,751 127,305
5. Repairing or fitting for—
German relief
From Argentina 7 24,720 39,570 1 3,133 5,120 6 21,587 34,450
From West Africa 2 5,611 8,350 2 5,611 8,350
From Australia 2 20,324 30,563 2 20,324 30,563
Other European relief (Poland from France) 1 2,720 4,200 1 2,720 4,200
Allied importing, &c.—
United Kingdom from Baltic 2 5,854 8,890 2 5,854 8,890
Italy from United Kingdom 1 4,496 7,270 1 4,496 7,270
Allied military or naval services 16 94,529 103,080 4 24,696 24,725 12 69,833 78,355
Services unassigned 23 73,820 113,243 9 38,603 63,443 11 28,923 39,700 †3 6,294 10,100
Total 54 232,074 315,166 15 70,928 100,558 36 154,852 204,508 †3 6,294 10,100
6. Employment unreported—
En route to Allied ports 6 23,999 39,075 5 19,329 31,475 1 4,670 7,600
In foreign ports, delivered 24 59,658 83,950 24 59,658 83,950
Otherwise unemployed 1 1,146 1 1,146
Employment unreported 2 7,032 12,000 1 3,063 5,300 1 3,969 6,700
Total 33 91,835 135,025 31 83,196 120,725 2 8,639 14,300
7. Assigned, but not yet delivered—
En route to Allied ports 2 6,645 10,800 2 6,645 10,800
In German ports—
Due to delivery 26 126,718 130,650 3 2,380 21 104,323 119,400 { *1 17,324 10,200
‡1 2,691 1,050
Damaged 8 34,642 49,206 8 34,642 49,206
Undamaged 2 5,933 8,265 2 5,933 8,265
In other ports—
Undamaged 62 261,818 414,924 14 42,408 64,689 35 155,776 251,513 { *12 61,878 96,022
†1 1,756 2,700
Damaged 33 183,685 267,778 *33 183,685 267,778
Launched and completing 1 7,670 12,000 1 7,670 12,000
Total 134 627,111 893,623 17 44,788 64,689 69 314,989 451,184 48 267,334 377,750
Grand total of tonnage assigned to Allied 399 2,028,585 2,725,322 102 413,286 595,216 236 1,152,920 1,614,951 61 462,379 515,155
Note.—Passenger tonnage included asbove 71 621,398 521,608 16 88,838 77,944 37 281,758 254,738 18 250,802 188,926
Tonnage unassigned, but not excepted 120 469,640

*American management.

†Belgian management.

‡Italian management.

[Page 542]

9.—Employment of German Tonnage Under Allied Management, May 1–July 1, 1919

(Steamers of 600 gross tons and over.)

Employment May 1 June 1 July 1
No. Gross Tonnage Dead-weight No. Gross Tonnage Dead-weight No. Gross Tonnage Dead-weight
German relief 42 218,844 347,640 86 449,613 715,311 114 570,165 908,636
Other European relief 2 5,272 8,550 4 10,428 17,550 7 23,255 37,649
Allied important services 18 103,127 159,455 22 84,565 137,958 10 39,360 62,236
“ military and naval services. 20 204,039 178,252 35 347,501 289,318 47 444,785 372,987
Total in active service 82 531,282 693,897 147 892,107 1,160,137 178 1,077,565 1,381,508
Repairing or refitting for:—
German relief 23 100,713 163,860 12 55,178 83,972 11 50,655 78,483
Other European relief 5 13,217 21,350 1 2,720 4,200 1 2,720 4,200
Allied important services 5 19,029 32,992 8 29,410 45,872 3 10,350 16,160
“ military and naval services 2 15,518 17,642 22 163,603 166,394 16 94,529 103,380
Services unassigned 57 322,220 403,539 14 48,366 75,652 23 73,820 113,243
Employment unreported 7 35,231 47,200 2 7,032 12,000 33 91,835 135,025
Total delivered, but inactive 99 505,928 686,583 59 306,309 388,090 87 323,909 450,191
En route to Allied ports 7 26,907 37,862 5 20,656 30,284 2 6,645 10,800
In German ports, completed 71 267,404 390,167 49 166,109 203,821 36 167,293 188,121
In natural ports 143 642,494 943,898 141 629,045 919,145 95 445,503 682,702
Launched and completing 5 34,618 43,200 3 21,890 24,200 1 7,670 12,000
Total not yet delivered 226 971,423 1,415,127 198 837,700 1,177,450 134 627,111 893,623
Grand Total assigned to Allied Management 407 2,008,633 2,795,607 404 2,036,116 2,725,677 399 2,028,585 2,725,322

Appendix 269

Report No. 3 [of the] Food Section, Freight Committee: Enemy Tonnage Sub-Committee

1. German Tonnage.—Appendix I sets out the position and employment of all German tonnage nominated by the Allied Maritime Transport Executive for food service. The names of vessels given in report No. 213a as having arrived at discharging ports have been omitted.

2. Austrian Tonnage.—Appendix II gives similar tables regarding Austrian tonnage.

3. Total Enemy Shipping Directed.—An examination of these appendices shows that the Freight Committee, since it was charged in April by the Supreme Economic Council with the task of utilising to the best advantage the tonnage nominated by the Allied Maritime Transport Executive, has directed no less than 1,800,000 tons of enemy shipping into food service.

4. Priority of Allocation.—Li accordance with the instructions of the Supreme Economic Council priority in the allocation of German tonnage has been given to (1) Germany; (2) Relief; (3) Allies.

[Page 543]

5. Deliveries Made and Arranged.—The following deliveries by enemy tonnage have been made or are arranged:—

German Austrian Total
Tons Tons Tons
Germany 446,161 51,750 497,911
Poland 45,247 45,247
Esthonia 21,000 21,000
Finland 14,635 14,635
North Russia 6,477 6,477
Baltic Ports, f. o 31,067 31,067
Roumania 23,482 23,482
Serbia 8,000 8,000
Constantinople 21,913 21,913
German Austria 147,072 147,072
France 28,214 28,214
Italy 27,854 186,108 213,962
United Kingdom 48,574 48,574

Loaded by the United States Food Administration for relief but not yet allocated to discharging ports: 108,050 tons.

Details of the countries of origin are given in Appendix III, together with a statement of enemy tonnage not yet allocated.

6. Germany. Tonnage has been allocated to Germany for all cargo which she has been able to finance. Shipments from United States of America have ceased, and are being arranged from the United Kingdom only to complete existing contracts. From Australia eight cargoes have been offered to Germany, but negotiations between the Australian and German Governments have broken down on the question of finance. The suggestion that one or two cargoes should be sold to Messrs. Whittal at Constantinople is being followed up.

In the Argentine tonnage to cover the Germany purchases from the Compañía Mercantil of 20,000 tons of linseed and 185,000 tons of wheat is arranged subject to the German Government agreeing to take a fair proportion of deliveries through Antwerp.

7. Other Relief. Claims for tonnage put forward by the Supreme Economic Council have been fully met. In accordance with the decision of the Supreme Economic Council tonnage for 30,000 tons of wheat for German Austria will be provided as soon as the purchases are effected.

8. Allies Replacement and Exchanges. In dealing with the balances of tonnage remaining after the claims of Germany and Belief have been fully met, the Freight Committee has adopted the principle of replacing, by the enemy tonnage, tonnage on national service utilised in carrying supplies to enemy countries.

The replacement claims agreed are as follows:—

  • To France, 40,000 tons.
  • Italy, 146,000 tons.
  • United Kingdom, 60,000 tons.

[Page 544]
Replacement to Italy has been arranged in full.
France made to the extent of 28,214 tons.
United Kingdom has been made to the extent of 44,160 tons.

Of the latter amount United Kingdom has ceded to Italy 27,854 tons in order to improve August cereals arrivals in Italy.

By special agreement 19,726 tons of wheat on passage to United Kingdom have been diverted to Poland and replaced to United Kingdom by later German tonnage. Details were given in report No. 2.

Details of the further exchanges and replacements are set out in Appendix IV.

9. No further enemy tonnage (other than for transhipment between European ports) can now be arranged for arrival in Germany before August 31, the date at which the Armistice arrangements expire. No relief programme other than that for German Austria is outstanding, and no claims for tonnage other than for German Austria and for transhipment of American Stores between European ports are before the Committee.

Under these circumstances the Freight Committee has notified the Allied Maritime Transport Executive that it is unnecessary further to continue to nominate enemy tonnage to the Freight Committee, and that the more convenient procedure will be for the Allied Maritime Transport Executive to dispose of the enemy tonnage, the Freight Committee retaining the right to indent upon the Allied Maritime Transport Executive for any further Relief claims that may have to be met.

The work of the Committee, which was based upon the Armistice arrangements, appears to be substantially completed.

F. B. Elliot

Appendix I.—German Tonnage: Position on July 19, 1919

United States

Allocated to United States Food Administration

Arrived

[Page 545]
Metric Tons
Arrived to May 31,Report No. 2 28,046 Rye.
Weissenfels New York 17/5 Hamburg 4/6 123 Lard.
2,302 Flour.
6,487 Pork product
Solfels Philadelphia 29/5 Bremerhaven 16/6 1,709 Flour
5,902 Pork product.
49 Lard.
Erfurt 8/6 Hamburg 23/6 6,770 Rye.
3,573 Rye flour.
Augsburg New York 10/6 Bremerhaven 2/7 7,427 Rye
1,923 Beans
17 Lard.
548 Rye flour.
185 Milk.
52 Peas.
177 Pork product.
Gertrud Baltimore 10/6 Emden 27/6 6,773 Rye.
Altenfels New York 12/6 Hamburg 30/6 8,020 Rye
40 Pork product.
362 Cereal flour.
793 Milk.
Greiffenfels 12/6 Brake 3/7 6,919 Rye.
186 Cereal flour.
459 Milk.
Franziska 12/6 Hamburg 29/6 5,040 Rye.
1,020 Cereal flour.
560 Flour.
277 Beans.
14 Pork product.
38 Cornmeal.
221 Milk.
3 Peas.
Artemesia Philadelphia 11/6 29/6 5,816 Rye.
1,668 Rye flour.
1,668 Rye flour.
Hornfels 13/6 Stettin 6/7 1,651 Rye.
2,118 Rye flour.
2,118 Rye flour.
Gundomar New York 19/6 Hamburg 9/7 3,087 Rye.
20 Lard.
1,682 Flour.
28 Barley.
140 Cornflour.
179 Milk.
Kybfels Philadelphia 21/6 8/7 2,671 Flour.
2,859 Rye flour.
Lippe 22/6 Bremerhaven 9/7 2,859 Rye flour.
427 Rye flour.
2,080 Flour.
Dessau Boston 24/6 10/7 6,865 Rye.
1,912 Flour.
1,051 Cornflour.
Waldenburg Philadelphia 23/6 Homburg 12/7 4,593 Flour.
3,791 Rye flour.
Gallipoli 22/6 12/7 5,062 Rye.
673 Flour.
Isis New York 1/7 18/7 6,067 Rye.
1,825 Cereal flour.
495 Flour.
2,068 Milk.
833 Beans.
Bermuda Philadelphia 10/6 29/6 6,977 Rye.
1,992 Rye flour.
Wolfsburg Baltimore 11/6 Finland 10/7 8,485 Rye.
Arrived May— Metric Tons
Rye 28,046
Arrived June—
Rye 46,765
Flour 4,571
Rye flour 5,789
Beans 2,200
Peas 54
Cereal flour 1,568
Cornmeal 38
Lard 189
Pork product 12,620
Milk 1,658
Arrived July— 45,268
Rye 16,601
Flour 16,601
Rye flour 11,187
Barley 28
Cornflour 1,191
Cereal flour 1,825
Beans 833
Lard 20
Milk 2,247
Total arrivals— Metric Tons
Rye 120,079
Flour 21,172
Rye flour 16,976
Beans 3,03
Peas 5
Cereal flour 3,393
Cornmeal 38
Barley 28
Cornflour 1,191
Lard 209
Pork product 12,620
Milk 3,905
[Page 546]

On Passage

Metric tons
Slavonia Philadelphia 23/6 Libau 4,524 Flour.
853 Rye flour.
Therese Horn Baltimore 20/6 4,600 Flour.
930 Rye.
Elbing Philadelphia 20/6 Batoum 930 Rye.
2,466 Rye Flour.
Meiningen 30/6 Bremerhaven 7,825 Flour.
1,902 Rye flour
Hanau New York 4/7 Finland 3,174 Rye
2,976 Rye flour.
Naimes Philadelphia 3/7 Batoum 5,378 Rye flour.
1,853 Rye flour.
59 Cornflour.
Mannheim 10/7 Germany 3,500 Rye.
2,500 Rye flour.
2,500 Flour.
Total 49,047
Total on passage— Metric Tons
Flour 28,804
Rye 7,604
Rye flour 12,550
Cornflour 59
Cornmeal 30

Canada

Allocated to Royal Commission on Wheat Supplies

Arrived

Metric Tons
Burgomeister Schröder Montreal 12/5 Rotterdam 5/6 8,338 Flour.
Atto 30/5 South Shields 14/6 6,933 Wheat.
Tasmania 7/6 Dublin 24/6 746 Flour.
10,202 Wheat.
Totnes 14/6 30/6 9,758 Flour.
Masuria 28/6 Dunkrik 14/7 5,349 Wheat.
Kribi 27/6 Avonmouth 23/7 4,634
45,960
June arrivals— Metric Tons
Wheat 17,135
18,842
July arrivals–
Wheat 9,983
Total arrivals–
Wheat 27,118
Flour 18,842

On Passage

Metric tons
Arabia Montreal 8/7 6,791 Flour.
Clare Hugo Stinnes 14/6 Archangel 6,477
12,268
[Page 547]

Allocated to Load for Northern Relief

July— Metric Tons
Wolfran 9,900
Schwarzenfels 12,500
Total 22,400

Allocated to Load for Southern Relief

July—
Sonnenfels 9,050

Unallocated

To Load

July— D. W. Tons
Rudelsburg 10,200
Ehrenfels 6,800
Gerfried 9,800
Kandelfels 9,000
Schidturm 8,700
Huberfels 8,500
Crostafels 7,600
Aschenburg 9,150
Remschied 11,200
Kagera 9,100
Belgravia 10,350
Bisgravia 10,650
Wachtfels 9,000
Total 120,050

Argentine

Allocated to Wheat Executive

On Passage

Arensburg Rosario 26/6 Belfast 5,511 Wheat.
Luise Horn 5/7 Italy 5,305
Spezia B. Aires 7/7 5,515
Claus Horn B. Blanca 7/7 5,805
Wotan B. Aires 6/7 5,305
Bosphorus B. Blanca 9/7 5,924
Schwaben La Plata 9/7 Marseilles 6,808
Warrundi B. Aires 10/7 Bayonne 4,639
Eichfelde B. Blanca 13/7 5,627
Olymbos La Plata 16/6 5,190
Total on passage 55,629

To Load

July—
Ganelon 6,200

Allocated to Compañia Mercantil

For Germany

On Passage

Pionier B. Aires 15/6 Emden 3,839 Wheat.
Elbe Montevideo 21/6 Rotterdam 5,531
Itajahy Rosario 21/6 6,587
Plauen 21/6 Bremerhaven 6,328
Irmgard B. Aires 29/6 Bremen 5,487
Sofia Rosario 30/6 5,573
Alster B. Blanca 2/7 5,692
Derindje B. Aires 27/6 Rotterdam 5,387
Erika 25/6 Emden 3,891
Pera 4/7 6,178
Oehringen Rosario 15/7 5,530
Waregga B. Aires 14/7 Havre 4,741
Weissenfelde B. Blanca 17/7 5,628
Gudron B. Aires 21/7 6,020
Santa Cruz B. Blanca 22/7 6,862
Total on passage. 83,274
[Page 548]

To Load

July—
Rhenania 6,500
Horncap 6,200
Hersfeld 7,250
Germanicus 6,500
Almeria 7,000
Normannia 5,500
Solingen 6,900
Waterburg 6,400
Franz Wilke 6,900
Secundus 7,900
Nordmark 9,050
Malagga 4,950
Total 81,050
August—
Sakkarah 7,500
Rendsburg 8,000
Total 15,500

Unallocated

To Load

August—
Karl Leonhardt 5,100
Santa Fé 8,000
Hollandia 5,100
Winifred 7,800
Artemesia 9,025
Atto 8,875
Minna Horn 6,300
Rovuma 9,075
Aragonia 7,750
Burgomeister von Melle 9,500
Kribi 6,550
Schwarzenfelde 6,100
Franziska 8,050
Lübeck 8,225
Total 105,450
September—
Alster 6,100
Sofia 5,600
Erika 4,100
Derindje 5,600
Total 21,400

Vessels allocated to load at Rotterdam for Danzig

Arrived on Passage

Metric Tons
Lipsos Rotterdam 28/6 Danzig 2/7 5,341 Rye.
Hilda Rotterdam 3/7 Danzig 2/7 5,341

Vessels allocated to load at Dunkirk for Danzig

To Load

July—
Liberia 5,675
Sieglinde 4,525
Atta 4,200
Mecklenburg 4,200
Lizzy 4,500
Dora 4,000
Total 27,100

Vessels allocated to load at Bordeaux for Reval

To Load

July—
Anni 3,750
Austria 4,050
Las Palmas 2,700
John Heidmann 3,500
Brandenburg 3,700
E. Russ 3,700
Total 21,000
[Page 549]

West Africa

Allocated to French Commission for Germany

Arrived

Borussia Duala Rotterdam 12/7 4,400

To Load

July—
Hornsea 4,400
Alma 4,325
Regina 4,400
Uhlenhorst 4,000
Freda Horn 4,400
Christian Horn 4,300
Genua 4,800
Procida 4,700
Silesia 5,225
Hamburg 4,050
Total 44,600
August—
Edmund Hugo Stinnes 4,200

Australia

Allocated to Commonwealth Government

On Passage

Gera Melbourne 15/7 9,000 Estimated.
Heluan Melbourne July 10,100

To Load

July–
Fürst Bülow 12,400
Heilbronn 11,200
Treuenfels 11,200
Roda 8,600
Altmark 8,200
Raimund 10,800
Total 62,400

Unallocated

August—
Java 12,100
Falkenfels 12,500
Kronenfels 12,325
Weissenfels 12,500
Burgomeister Schröder 9,500
Itauri 10,925
Sesostris 10,925
Waldeck 10,000
Altenburg 10,950
Greiffenfels 9,050
Marksburg 6,350
Gertrud 8,600
Kybfels 7,700
Masuria 6,200
Gallipoli 6,650
Gundomar 6,000
Total 152,275
September—
Neumark 9,075
Tasmania 12,200
Totnes 12,000
Altenfels 11,350
Bermuda 10,300
Augsburg 11,200
Erfurt 10,000
Elbing 7,850
Ammon 11,850
Sonnenfels 9,050
Naims 8,750
Dessau 11,000
Lippe 11,480
Isis 13,000
Total 149,105
[Page 550]

Appendix II.—Austrian Tonnage

(a) under french management

Northern Range

Allocated to Food Administration

To Load

July—
Plitice 6,200

Argentine

Allocated to “Compafiia Mercantil” for Germany

July— 7,200
Atlantica 7,200
Graf Serenyi Bela 5,250
Total (July) 12,450
August—
Immacolata 5,600
Mediterraneo 7,600
Vega 6,450
Buda 6,350
Total 26,000

Unallocated

August—
Kobe 7,200

West Africa

Allocated to French Commission for Germany

July—
Indificienter 3,400
Magylagos 3,500
Stephanie 3,525
Onda 4,750
Eros 3,800
Total 18,975

(b) under italian management

Northern Range

1. Allocated to Italy

Metric Tons
Arrived to May 31,Report No. 2 47,245 Wheat.
2,024 Flour.
38 Rye flour.
2,438 Corn meal.
632 Beans.
Baltico Baltimore 20/5 Torre Ann 12/6 4,901 Wheat.
Columbia New York 26/5 Genoa 11/6 2,965
953 Flour.
Bosanka Philadelphia 22/5 Leghorn 17/6 1,166 Wheat.
3,692 Flour.
Sofia New York 26/5 Trieste 17/6 1,779
President Wilson 31/5 18/6 58
Contessa Adelma Baltimore 28/5 Cantania 22/6 5,125 Wheat.
Graf Tiza Istvan Philadelnhia 30/5 Siramisp 21/6 3,477 Flour.
Total June arrival— Metric Tons
Wheat. 14,157
Flour 9,959
[Page 551]
Metric Tons
Radium Philadelphia 8/6 Milazza 5/7 4,524 Flour.
Argentina New York 14/6 Trieste 3/7 748
Francesca 25/6 Genoa 13/7 1,222 Wheat.
576 Flour.
July arrival— Metric Tons
Wheat 1,222
Flour 5,848
Total arrived—
Wheat 62,626
Flour 17,831
Rye flour 38
Cornmeal 2,438
Beans 632

On passage to arrive July

Metric Tons
Graf Khuen Héderváry New York 24/6 Trieste 5,553 Flour.
190 Cornflour

On passage to arrive Augest

Metric Tons
Aug. Foherczegno New York 4/7 Trieste 2,970 Wheat.
1,978 Flour
641 Oatmeal.
255 R. oats.
Iskra Philadelphia 10/7 5,790 Wheat.
Belvedera New York 10/7 Trieste 2,244 Flour.
Fiume New Orleans 30/6 Naples 4,347 Wheat.
To arrive August— Metric Tons
Wheat 13,107
Flour 4,222
Oatmeal 641
R. oats 255
Total on passage—
Wheat 13,107
Flour 9,775
Oatmeal 641
R. oats 255
Cornflour 190

2. Allocated to German Austria

[Page 552]
Metric Tons
Arrived to Mav 31. Report No. 2 4,689 Wheat.
4,673 Flour.
Caterina Gerolomich New York 15/5 Trieste 10/6 4,672 Wheat.
136 C. meal.
980 Flour.
841 R. oats.
Szeterenyl Baltimore 13/5 10/6 2,512 Flour.
1,662 C. flour.
Adriatico 16/5 10/6 3,201 Flour.
89 B. flour.
543 C. flour.
1,209 C. meal.
Maria Immacolata 19/5 16/6 4,244 Flour
346 B. flour.
207 O. meal.
38 Rice flour.
83 C. flour.
Kossuth Ferencz 24/6 22/6 4,586 Flour.
69 C. meal.
212 C. flour.
1,316 C. grits.
Dubac New Orleans 26/4 1/6 2,538 Wheat.
514 Flour.
311 C. meal.
703 Beans.
Total June arrival–. Metric Tons
Wheat 7,210
Flour 16,037
C.M. 1,725
C.F. 2,500
R.O. 841
B.F. 435
O.M. 207
Rice flour 38
C.G. 1,316
Beans 703
Metric Tones
Dardania New York 21/6 Trieste 15/7 4,573 Flour.
127 C. flour.
Ellenia Baltimore 23/6 18/7 826 Flour.
55 B. flour.
1,918 C flour.
1,985 C. grits.
610 C. meal.
53 R. flour.
Bohême 7/6 5/7 Flour.
Emilia New York 13/6 7/7 4,180
Georgia 14/6 10/7 5,229 Wheat.
236 Flour.
Lapad Baltimore 13/6 15/7 3,485
Izvor Philadelphia 16/6 15/7 5,398
Arrival July— Metric Tons
Wheat 5,229
Flour 25,027
C.F. 2,045
B.F. 55
C.G. 1,985
C.M. 610
R.F 610
Total ariival—
Wheat 17,128
Flour 45,737
C.F 4,545
B.F 490
C.G 3,301
C.M 2,335
R.F 53
Rice flour 38
Beans 703
O.M 207
R.O 841
[Page 553]

On Passage

Metric Tons
Istina Baltimore 26/6 Trieste 4,061 Rye.
171 Flour.
37 C. flour.
316 C. grits.
88 C. meal.
490 R. oats.
Erderly New York 3/7 6,021 Flour.
75 B. flour.
504 C. meal.
Atlantico 8/7 174 Flour.
229 B. flour.
159 C. grits.
811 C. meal.
628 C flour.
22 R. flour.
116 O. meal.
820 R. oats.
Perseveranza Philadelphia 7/7 1,651 Rye.
322 C. grits.
271 C. flour.
27 C. meal.
1,001 R. flour.
1,108 R. oats.
37 O. meal.
Total on passage— Metric Tons
Rye 6,366
Flour 5,712
C.F 936
C. G 797
C. M 1,430
R. O 2,418
B. F 304
R. F 1,023
O. M 153

Allocated to German Austria

To Load

July— Metric Tons
Marianne 5,400
Proteo 5,900
Szent Istvan 4,000
Dubac 4,000
Federica 5,800
Total 25,100

Unallocated

July– Metric Tons
Trieste 5,000
Africana 4,600
Szeternyi 4,100
Baron Edmondo Vay 3,900
Total 17,600
August—
Persia 5,400
Giulia 3,900
Bosanka 5,400
Pssa. Christiania 3,300
Marie Valerie 4,400
Absirta 6,200
Burma 6,500
Fedora 5,000
Kossuth Ferenez 3,400
Graf Tiza Istavan 5,100
Contessa Adelma 5,000
Gernaia 7,000
Mrav 5,600
Adriatico 5,200
Baltico 4,800
Caterina Gerolomich 6,600
Georgia 8,000
Filippo Artelli 8,300
Lapad 3,500
Bohême 6,500
Dardania 4,700
Raduim 4,500
Total 118,300
September—
Maria 4,800
Arcadia 4,700
Jadera 5,600
Total 15,100
[Page 554]

Canada

1. Allocated to Italy

Metric Tons
Arrived to May 31. Report No. 2 4,567 Wheat.
Mrav Portland 6/5 Ancona 8/6 3,619
Trieste 17/5 Ganoa 1/6 5,025 Flour.
Kossuth 14/6 Messina 6/7 4,979 Wheat
Total 18,910

On Passage

Metric Tons
Vindobona Quebec 25/6 Trieste 5,469 Wheat.
153 Flour.
Baron Fejervary Monteral 26/6 Venice 5,051
Total 10,673

2. Allocated to German Austria

Metric Tons
Arrived to May 31. Report No. 2 4,285 Wheat.

On Passage

Metric Tons
Clumecki St. John’s 26/6 Trieste 770 Rye
3,835 Flour.
Total

3. Allocated to Roumania

Arrived

Metric Tons
Gernia Portland 23/4 Constanza 22/5 5,717 Wheat.
1,233 Flour.
Baron Edmund Vay 24/4 3/6 3,672 Wheat.
Absirtea 30/4 3/6 4,306
1,938 Flour.
Burma 8/5 4/6 6,569 Wheat.
Pssa. Christiana 15/5 Trieste 19/6 3,634 Flour.

4. Unallocated

To Load

August— Metric tons
Olimpo 6,500
Carolina 3,000
Total 9,500
[Page 555]

Argentine

1. Allocated to Italy

Arrived

Metric Tons
Baron Kemeny Buenos Aires 9/6 P. Maurizio 12/7 3,171 Wheat.

On Passage

Metric Tons
Sirena Buenos Aires 17/6 1,062 Wheat
2,971 C. N. Flour.
Jokai La Plata 21/6 Savona 3,441 Wheat.
Alga Rosario 27/6 Venice 4,074
Balaton Buenos Aires 7/7 Naples 3,329
Sud Rosario 10/7 3,743
Srgj 22/7 5,470
Total 24,090

2. Unallocated

To Load

July— Metric Tons
Orjen 3,500
Epidauro 6,000
Iris 8,100
Corsinia 6,000
Magyarorczag 4,700
Leopoldina 4,800
Total 33,100
August— Metric Tons
Maria Immacolata 4,900
Melpomene 3,600
Stella 4,000
Laguna 7,000
Total 19,500

Australia

1. Allocated to Italy

Arrived

Metric Tons
Filippo Artelli Wallaroo 21/4 Venice 29/6 8,315 Wheat.
Tirreno Geelong 7/4 Naples 10/6 7,464
Total 15,779

2. Unallocated

To Load

July— Metric Tons
Hungaria 5,600
August— Metric Tons
Pilsna 4,600
Innsbruck 6,400
Total 11,000
[Page 556]

Appendix III a. Employment of German Tonnage

[Metric Tons (Cargo)]

Exporting Country Month of Arrival Germany Poland Finland Esthonia North Russia Baltic Ports, f. o. Serbia Constantinople, f. o. United Kingdom France Italy Unallocated Total
Canada June 8,338 27,639 35,977
July 6,477 4,634 5,349 16,460
August 5,791 5,791
8,338 6,477 32,273 11,140 58,228
United States of America May 28,046 28,046
June 71,650 71,650
July 84,213 8,485 10,907 13,763 117,368
August 8,500 6,150 20,160 8,150 108,050 151,010
192,409 14,635 31,067 21,913 108,050 368,074
Argentine July 22,285 22,285
August 60,989 10,701 17,074 27,854 119,618
September 86,900 5,600 74,768 167,268
170,174 16,301 17,074 27,854 74,768 306,171
Australia September 75,240 10,890 86,130
France July 6,958 6,958
August 27,100 7,800 8,000 42,900
September 13,200 13,200
34,058 21,000 8,000 63,058
Rotterdam July 11,189 11,189
Grand Total 446,161 45,247 14,635 21,000 6,477 31,067 8,000 21,913 48,574 28,214 27,854 *193,708 892,850

*In addition there is unallocated tonnage to arrive in Europe after September—Argentine, 39,400; Australia, 271,200.

[Page 557]

Appendix III b.—Employment of Austrian Tonnage

[Metric Tons (Cargo)]

Exporting Country Month of Arrival German Austria Germany Roumania Italy Unallocated Total
Canada April
May 6,947 4,567 11,514
June 16,535 10,635 27,170
July 4,602 14,767 19,369
August 7,800 7,800
4,602 23,482 29,969 7,800 65,853
United States April 11,970 11,970
May 13,652 40,407 54,059
June 30,659 24,097 54,756
July 51,321 23,119 74,440
August 27,240 10,133 *40,280 77,653
September 97,700 97,700
122,872 109,726 137,980 370,578
Argentine July 10,645 10,645
August 11,250 19,995 35,200 66,445
September 23,400 23,400
†34,650 30,640 35,200 100,490
Australia June 8,316 8,316
July 7,457 7,457
September 5,600 5,600
15,773 5,600 21,373
West Africa August ‡17,100 17,100
Grand total 147,072 51,750 23,482 186,108 186,580 594,992

*Including 5,580 French managed Austrian from United States.

†” 34,650 ” ” ” ” Argentine.

‡” 17,100 ” ” ” ” ” West Africa.

Appendix IV.—Replacement by German Tonnage to Allies of National Tonnage Directed to Germany

Already Allocated

United Kingdom

From Argentine— Metric Tons
Arensburg 5,511
*Louise Horn 5,305
*Spezia 5,515
*Claus Horn 5,805
*Wotan 5,305
*Bosphorus 5,924
Olympos 5,190
Ganelon 5,600
Total 44,155

*Diverted to Italy.

France

From Canada— Metric Tons
Masuma 5,349
Arabia 5,791
From Argentine—
Warundi 4,639
Schwaben 6,808
Eichfeld 5,627
Total 28,214

Appendix 270

Note From the Freight Committee [Regarding the] Tonnage for Purchases of Food and Raw Materials for the Czecho-Slovakian Republic

A letter from the official buyers of the Czecho-Slovakian Republic has been received by the British Food Commissioner at Rotterdam, [Page 558] requesting that shipping space may be provided for the transport of 100,000 tons of Government Supplies from Argentine and India. The letter points out that free shipping is very scarce and freights so high as to cause great difficulty to the Czecho-Slovakian Food Commission and to make the import of raw materials for industrial purposes almost impossible. The suggestion presumably is that enemy tonnage should be allocated at rates based on the British Blue Book.

This matter has not been brought before the Freight Committee of the Food Section as that Committee has no authority to deal with enemy tonnage otherwise than under the Armistice arrangements.

The request of the Czecho-Slovakian Government raises a broad question of policy, as it would no doubt be inadvisable to make special arrangements for the claims of other Governments which have to obtain tonnage for essential supplies in the open market.

The matter has been unofficially discussed in Paris and is referred to the Supreme Economic Council at the request of the Director-General of Belief.

  1. No copy of minutes of this meeting found in Department files; copy supplied by the British Foreign Office as enclosure to letter of June 27, 1945, to the American Ambassador in Great Britain (026. Foreign Relations (1919)/7–245).
  2. See HD–62, minute 7, vol. viii, p. 411.
  3. See HD–37, minute 10 and appendix H, also HD–39, minute 5, vol. vii, pp. 819, 828, and 938.
  4. HD–18, minute 4, vol. vii, p. 371.
  5. Modified by the addition of the word “Economic” (see Minute 296). [Footnote in the original.]
  6. See HD–16, minute 5, vol. vii, p. 348.
  7. Not attached to file copy of minutes.
  8. G. Fr. de Martens, Nouveau recueil général de traités, conventions et autres transactions, tome xv, p. 770.
  9. Foreign Relations, 1878, p. 895.
  10. Subsequently modified by the Supreme Council (see Appendix 258). [Footnote in the original.]
  11. See HD–16, minute 4, vol. vii, p. 345.
  12. As a matter of fact, the monthly allowance of coal to Italy has been reduced from 750,000 tons to 330,000 tons. [Footnote in the original.]
  13. See appendix 182, p. 349.
  14. Steel and iron are also fundamental requirements for all countries. Scarce and dear coal reacts enormously on the Italian production of the same, which has never been so low as it is at present since 1915. On the other hand, supplies of cast-iron and steel are extremely difficult to obtain and Great Britain is unable to supply Italy with the minimum quantity we require from that country. [Footnote in the original.]
  15. See appendix III to CF–64, vol. vi, p. 393.
  16. Not attached to file copy of the minutes; see, however, minute 211 and appendix 188, pp. 348 and 358.
  17. Not attached to file copy of the minutes.
  18. Not attached to file copy of the minutes.
  19. See HD–16, minute 6, vol. vii, p. 350.
  20. Appendix 205, p. 382.