Paris Peace Conf. 184.00101/132
Minutes of the Daily Meetings of the Commissioners Plenipotentiary, Thursday, August 7, 1919
- Present:
- Mr. White
- General Bliss
- Mr. Harrison
I. The Secretary read memoranda submitted by Major Tyler dated August 4th and August 6th regarding conversations with Baron Eichoff of the Austrian Peace Delegation.
The Commissioners desired that the suggestion in regard to “Ungarisch-Altenburg” mentioned in the first paragraph of Major Tyler’s memorandum of August 4, 1919, be referred to the Territorial Experts for an expression of their opinion. Conversations With Baron Eichoff
[Page 371]II. Memorandum No. 528 regarding a request submitted by Captain Richard S. Wise for two automobiles for the use of the Mission composed of Lieutenant Colonel William A. Jones and Captain Richard S. Wise in connection with the Czecho-Slovak-Magyar frontier, was read out. Automobiles for Lieut. Colonel Jones and Capt. Wise
The Commissioners disapproved the assignment of two of the Commission’s machines to this Mission. It was pointed out by General Bliss that these officers had been appointed by the War Department upon the request of the American Minister to Prague for special service with the French Commander in Chief of the Czecho-Slovak Army. Consequently this Mission is in no way connected with the Peace Commission, and a decision as regards their request rests with the American Legation at Prague, the State Department and the War Department.
III. The Secretary read extracts from two letters addressed by the American Minister at Warsaw to the Secretary General in which Mr. Gibson expressed the hope that the Commissioners might find an opportunity to hear Captain Earl Bassett on the general situation in Poland. Visit of Captain Earl Bassett
The Commissioners expressed their desire to hear Mr. Bassett.
IV. Memorandum No. 529 in regard to certain recommendations submitted by Major Devereux relating (1) to the establishment of consulates in the Baltic Provinces and (2) the freedom of access to the Baltic Provinces for American commercial representatives and relief workers, was read out. Establishment of United States Consulates in the Baltic Provinces
The Commissioners approved the draft telegram to the Secretary of State in this regard submitted with the memorandum in question.
V. The Secretary read out a memorandum prepared by Professor A. C. Coolidge and countersigned by Mr. Dresel, Mr. Dulles, Mr. Buckler, Major Tyler and Dr. Lord concerning the policy to be adopted by the Commission in regard to the settlement of the frontiers of states which have been formed out of the territories of what was formerly the Russian Empire. (Memorandum No. 530). Frontiers States Formed Out of Territories Belonging Formerly to the Russian Empire
The Commissioners thought favorably of the recommendations contained in this memorandum and directed that a telegram to the Secretary of State and the President be prepared based on the memorandum and requesting instructions in the matter.