Office of the Historian

Paris Peace Conf. 184.00101/136

Minutes of the Daily Meetings of the Commissioners Plenipotentiary, Wednesday, August 13, 1919

August 13, 1919
  • Present:
    • Mr. Polk
    • Mr. White
    • Gen. Bliss
    • Mr. Harrison

I. General Harbord, who was accompanied by General McCoy, informed the Commissioners that it appeared that it would be impossible to obtain the Transport DeKalb to convey them to Armenia. General Harbord submitted the following telegram: General Harbord’s Mission to Armenia [Page 378]

August 12, 1919.

“No. 3831–R
August 11th.
Confidential.
Pershing Amexforces.

Reference P. 2900. Due to urgency of demobilizing emergency men in Navy Crews at earliest practicable date, Navy Department urges that Transport DeKalb or no other transport be used for the purpose of going to Armenia unless conditions make such action imperative. Transport DeKalb is scheduled to be withdrawn from transport fleet upon next arrival in United States and assigned on other important service. If so desired Navy will place at General Harbord’s disposal a destroyer to be operated from Constantinople. March. Harris.”

General Harbord explained that the DeKalb was the only suitable ship available in European waters for the purpose. Mr. Polk thereupon dictated a telegram to the Secretary of State requesting that the matter be laid before the President and that the President be urged to direct the Navy Department to place the DeKalb at the disposal of the Mission. General Harbord pointed out that the DeKalb was particularly suited for this purpose, inasmuch as it was fitted up as an auxiliary cruiser, carried guns, and was just the sort of vessel desired by the Mission.

General Harbord stated that he was prepared to leave Friday and to set sail from Brest on Saturday, if the question of the ship were settled. He also submitted a list of personnel which was approved, and a draft letter of instructions which was slightly modified and approved.

General Harbord also requested that the President of the Conference should be informed of his Mission, and that the representatives of the Principal Allied Powers in Asia Minor and Constantinople be advised of his Mission. Drafts of communications to the Secretary General of the Peace Conference in this regard were submitted by Mr. Buckler, who was requested to change them in certain particulars to meet the views of the Commissioners.

General Harbord recommended that a publicity man be attached to his Mission, and mentioned the names of Mr. Bass and Mr. Selden. The Commissioners had no objection to the General’s proposal, if he thought it desirable to have a publicity man with the Mission.

At this point Mr. Polk left the meeting.

II. Memorandum No. 539 regarding a request received from Mr. Henry Morgenthau for an additional allotment of $15,000 for his Mission was read out. Additional Allotment of $15,000 for Morgenthau Mission

The Commissioners approved the recommendations contained in the Memorandum in question, namely, that in view of the present condition of the funds of the Mission, $10,000 only be allotted to Mr. Morgenthau.

[Page 379]

III. The Commissioners approved the recommendation for the release of 1st Lieut. Milton Garver from duty with the Commission to be effective August 20th, as set forth in Memorandum No. 540. Release of Lieutenant Garver

IV. The Secretary read a memorandum submitted by Major General Summerall requesting that a communication be addressed to the Italian Government expressing the appreciation of the American Government for the courtesies shown him by Lieutenant General Grazioli at Fiume. Expression of Appreciation to Italian Government for Courtesies Shown to General Summerall

The Commissioners approved General Summerall’s suggestion, and directed that an appropriate letter to Mr. Tittoni be immediately prepared for Mr. Polk’s signature expressing on behalf of the American Government appreciation for the courtesies shown General Summerall by General Grazioli.

V. Telegram No. 7-A of August 7, 4 p.m., which had been received from the American Chargé d’Affaires, Bucharest, through the French Foreign Office was read.

In view contents of this telegram the Commissioners considered that no purpose would be served by having the Chargé d’Affaires carry out the instructions contained in Mission’s telegram No. 23 of August 4, 5 p.m., and therefore desired that a telegram be sent to the Chargé d’Affaires directing him to disregard those instructions. Representation to the Rumanian Government Regarding Advance on Bucharest

VI. The Commissioners approved the recommendation contained in Memorandum No. 541, that Colonel U. S. Grant III, be appointed the American member on the Ports, Waterways and Railways Commission to succeed Dr. Hudson. Successors to Dr. Hudson on Ports, Waterways and Railways Commission