Paris Peace Conf. 184.00101/104
Minutes of the Daily Meetings of the Commissioners Plenipotentiary, Saturday, July 5th, 1919
- Present:
- Mr. Lansing
- Mr. White
- Gen. Bliss
- Mr. Harrison
1. General Bliss stated that he had received a request from General Pershing, under date of June 30th, that General McAndrew, who had been ordered to Washington as Commandant of the General Staff College, should be furnished with copies of pamphlets, memoranda, etc. pertaining to the Conference by the various delegations, and particularly copies of certain S–H bulletins which were not of a confidential nature. Bulletins for Gen. McAndrew
The Commissioners approved General Pershing’s request. General Bliss undertook to reply in this sense to General Pershing, and to refer the matter to Mr. Harrison’s office for attention.
2. General Bliss referred to the various telegrams which had recently been received from Colonel Biggs of the Mission to Carinthia, and in particular to the question of the claim of the Jugo-Slavs to the war material in the Klagenfurt Basin. Claims of Jugo-Slavs for War Material in Klagenfurt Basin
General Bliss stated that he proposed to telegraph to Colonel Riggs, advising him that it was the duty of the Commission to determine the ownership of this material. The Commission should then examine their instructions to see whether they had authority to intervene in the matter.
3. Memorandum No. 420, with reference to the release of Lieutenant J. H. Smith, Jr. from the Commission, was again considered by the Commissioners. Release of Lt. J. H. Smith, Jr.
The Commissioners approved Mr. Grew’s recommendation for the appointment of Major Stedman Hanks as Assistant to Mr. Grew, in the place of Lieutenant J. H. Smith, Jr. upon the departure of the latter, at a nominal salary not to exceed $2,000 per annum. Assignment of Mr. Charles Russell and Major Stedman Hanks
The Commissioners were pleased to learn that Mr. L. Osborne would continue with the Mission and that the services of Mr. Charles Russell had been secured.
4. Memorandum No. 439, with regard to the request of Lieut. A. V. Ferreira, on duty in the Reception Room, to be relieved from duty [Page 270] in order that he may be assigned to the Postal Express Service, was read. Question Lieutlnant Ferreira’s Release
Before taking action on this request, the Commissioners desired to be informed by Mr. Patchin whether he has someone available to take Lieut. Ferreira’s place in the Reception Room.
5. A memorandum prepared by Mr. Morgenthau, requesting that Mr. H. C. Jacquith be added to the personnel of the Mission to Poland, was read and approved by the Commissioners. Assignment Mr. H. C. Jacquith to Mission to Poland
6. Mr. Buckler entered the meeting and offered a memorandum regarding the question of Armenian relief. The Commissioners approved the recommendation contained in the memorandum, that the British authorities be requested to consult General Milne as to the possibility of immediately repatriating a certain number of Armenian refugees. Their protection, until Armenia receives a mandatory, would devolve upon the British forces, while their food would be supplied, as at present, by the American Relief organization. Armenian Relief
6 [7]. By direction of Mr. Grew, Mr. Harrison inquired as to the wishes of the Commissioners regarding the use of the Hotel Crillon and 4 Place de la Concorde for the parade on July 14th, and whether they would approve of Mr. Grew’s proposal to use the Versailles list as a basis for the list of invitations. Space on Crillon Balconies for Parade July 14th
The Commissioners approved Mr. Grew’s proceeding in this manner and expressed a desire that the first floor of the Crillon should be reserved for the use of the Commissioners. The Commissioners also suggested that it would be desirable for Mr. Grew to have an estimate made of the remainder of the space available in the Crillon and No. 4 Place de La Concorde, and that this space should not be overcrowded.