Paris Peace Conf. 184.00101/130
Minutes of the Daily Meetings of the Commissioners Plenipotentiary, Wednesday, August 6, 1919
- Present:
- Mr. Polk
- Mr. White
- Gen. Bliss
- Mr. Harrison
I. Memorandum No. 523 with regard to a request dated August 2nd, from Mr. Albert Halstead for a credit of $5,000 to be placed to his account and to be used for the payment of salaries in dollars to employees of his mission, was read. Mr. Halstead’s Request for $5,000 Gold for Paying Salaries of Employees
The Commissioners approved Mr. McNeir’s recommendation that Mr. Halstead’s request be disallowed.
II. The Commissioners approved the recommendation that Major L. Martin be relieved temporarily from service with the Peace Mission to be attached to General Harbord’s Mission to Asia Minor. Release of Major Martin for Service With General Harbord’s Mission to Asia Minor
III. The Commissioners approved the recommendation submitted in Memorandum No. 524 for an allotment of $5,000 to the Legation at Warsaw, to defray expenses incurred in making reports, etc., for the Mission. Allotment for Legation at Warsaw
IV. Memorandum No. 525 submitting a draft telegram to Constantinople with regard to the recall of the Mission on Mandates for Turkey was read.
In view of the fact that the mission had been appointed by the President for a particular purpose, the Commissioners considered that it was inadvisable to instruct them to return, and that they should be permitted to complete their work. Return of Mission on Mandates for Turkey
The Commissioners took note of the fact that the Mission “intended to finish their task within the current month”.
[Page 359]V. The Commissioners approved the recommendation in Memorandum No. 526 submitted by Mr. John Foster Dulles that a request be made to have Captain Reginald Norris temporarily attached to the Peace Commission and assigned to Mr. Dulles for financial work. Employment of Captain Reginald Norris
VI. Memorandum No. 527, regarding the receipt by Colonel R. H. Van Deman of instructions to proceed to the United States and report to the Chief of Staff, was read.
The report on the activities of the Negative Intelligence Section submitted by Colonel Van Deman was handed to General Bliss. Release of Colonel R. H. Van Deman
In view of the instructions that had been received by Colonel Van Deman the Commissioners approved his release. The Secretary was directed to confer with Colonel Van Deman with regard to the continuance of a Negative Intelligence Department with particular reference to the maintenance of the control of this building, and the necessary personnel therefor.
VII. The Commissioners approved the maintenance of the South Russian Field Mission at Tiflis, in view of the fact that General Harbord expressed the desire that they be allowed to remain on so that he might have an opportunity to confer with them after his arrival in Asia Minor. Maintenance of South Russian Field Mission at Tiflis
VIII. Mr. McNeir entered the meeting at the request of the Commissioners and submitted a preliminary report on the personnel of the Commission in accordance with the directions given by the Commissioners on August 2nd. Military Personnel of the Commission
- 1.
- The Commissioners approved the release of the officers now assigned to duty with Field Missions (total 23 officers), as given in Mr. McNeir’s Memorandum, provided that none of these officers were attached either to the Mission on Mandates under Messrs. King and Crane, or the South Russian Mission at Tiflis.
- 2.
- The Commissioners approved Mr. McNeir’s recommendations for the release without replacement of the 13 officers as stated in Mr. McNeir’s memorandum.
- 3.
- The Commissioners desired the recommendations of the Secretary General relative to the 5 officers with regard to whose release or replacement Mr. McNeir did not feel competent to express an opinion.
- 4.
- The Commissioners approved Mr. McNeir’s recommendation that the 7 officers mentioned in his list be demobilized and retained by the Commission on a salary basis, as stated in the Memorandum.
The Commissioners approved the recommendations contained in the memorandum from the business manager dated August 4th, submitting [Page 360] a list of army personnel necessary for the operation of the Hotel Crillon, supplies, accounting, etc., on the basis of salaries therein.
Mr. McNeir undertook to submit by the next meeting on August 7th, to the Commissioners, the lists together with the recommendations regarding field clerks and enlisted men now with the Mission, who can be released, a list of those who can be retained, and a list of the personnel whom the Army will be asked to supply.