Office of the Historian

Paris Peace Conf. 184.00101/105

Minutes of the Daily Meetings of the Commissioners Plenipotentiary, Monday, July 7th, 1919

July 7, 1919
  • Present:
    • Mr. Lansing
    • Mr. White
    • Gen. Bliss
    • Mr. Herter
[Page 271]

1. Memorandum No. 440, with regard to the reply to the Austrian notes, as intimated by a member of the British Delegation, speaking informally, was read and noted by the Commissioners. Reply to Austrian Notes

2. Memorandum No. 441 was read, recommending the solution of the Teschen question at an early date. The Commissioners felt that if possible it would be best to allow the Poles and the Czecho-Slovaks to settle this question amicably by themselves, but that, at the same time, this should be done in the very near future, and therefore requested that Professor Coolidge draw up a resolution for the Council of Five to consider, to the effect that Mr. Paderewski and Mr. Benes be requested to settle this problem within a given time limit or else be prepared to accept a solution laid down for them by the five Great Powers. Solution of the Teschen Question

3. Memorandum No. 442 was read, in which Colonel Sherman Miles requested that he be relieved from duty with the Commission. Release of Colonel Miles

The Commissioners approved of the release of Colonel Miles.

4. Memorandum No. 443 was read, in which Captain Walter Peirce, in charge of the translation bureau, requested that Captain Percy A. Chapman be assigned to duty in his Office. Assignment of Captain Percy A. Chapman

The Commissioners approved of the assignment of Captain Chapman.

5. Mr. Herter read a memorandum prepared by Mr. Arthur Sweetser, in which he requested that he be relieved from duty with the Commission on or about July 20th. Release of Mr. Sweetser

The Commissioners accepted Mr. Sweetser’s resignation, as effective on or about July 20th, provided Mr. Grew had no objections thereto.

6. Mr. Herter read a memorandum from Colonel Warwick Greene, regarding the situation in the Baltic provinces.

The Commissioners noted this memorandum, but felt that they were not in a position to take any action upon the recommendations made by Colonel Greene, and requested that Colonel Greene speak to General Bliss in regard to this matter as soon as possible. Situation in the Baltic Provinces

7. Mr. Herter read a memorandum prepared by Mr. Buckler, in regard to the situation in Asia Minor.

The Commissioners felt that Mr. Buckler’s recommendations would be very difficult to carry out and that it would be better to wait a few days before taking any definite action in this matter, until the attitude of the [Page 272] Italians on the whole Asia Minor problem had been definitely ascertained. Situation in Asia Minor

8. A telegram, containing congratulatory messages to the Commissioners for the Fourth of July, signed by the Executive Committee of the Unredeemed Hellenes, was read and noted by the Commissioners. Telegram From Hellenes

9. Professor Coolidge and Mr. Dulles entered the meeting. Professor Coolidge inquired what attitude he should assume in regard to the Austrian counter-proposals with respect to the Northern frontier. He explained his own point of view in regard to this matter and inquired how far the Commissioners were willing to back him in demanding that certain rectifications be made in favor of Austria. Professor Coolidge Mr. Dulles

The Commissioners authorized Professor Coolidge to at least insist upon the historical boundary between Bohemia and Austria, and, at the same time, to ascertain whether the Czecho-Slovaks would make concessions beyond that line, provided their claims to the area on the south bank of the Danube opposite Presbourg were granted.

Professor Coolidge left the meeting and Mr. McNeir and Lieutenant Condon entered the meeting.

Referring4 to his application for release from the Commission, Mr. McNeir informed the Commissioners that he had presented his request for permission to return to the United States as it appeared that his presence was required in the Department of State. He would, however, remain if the Commissioners desired him to do so. The Commissioners agreed that it would be very desirable for Mr. McNeir to remain and asked his views as to the arrangements which it would be now necessary to make in regard to the personnel of the Commission and the maintenance of quarters for the Commission.

Mr. McNeir recommended that the entire management of the Commission should be placed as far as possible upon a civilian basis and proposed that the office of the Administrative Officer might be done away with and that a number of the military personnel attached to that office might be released. He suggested that Mr. Harry Young should be placed in charge of the hotel under his general supervision.

Mr. McNeir further recommended that if Mr. Patchin should leave as seemed to be probable, Mr. Welsh should be appointed Executive Secretary of the Commission to act under his supervision.

The Commissioners approved of having the management of the Commission civilianized as far as possible and desired that Mr. McNeir should consult with Mr. Grew regarding the suggestion he had put forward. Any changes in the organization of the Commission should, of course, be subject to Mr. Grew’s approval.

  1. The text of this and the three following paragraphs is that of a correction issued later.↩