Office of the Historian

Paris Peace Conf. 184.00101/145

Minutes of the Daily Meetings of the Commissioners Plenipotentiary, Friday, August 29, 1919, 10 a.m.

August 29, 1919, 10 a.m.
  • Present:
    • Mr. Polk
    • Mr. White
    • General Bliss
    • Mr. Harrison

I. The Secretary stated that Capt. Chapin was willing on being demobilized to be employed by the mission on a salary equivalent to that which he now received as a captain, viz, $220 per month, and that he would be prepared to remain with the mission until about October 20 as he would have to be in the United States by the first of November. Retention of Capt. Chapin

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The Commissioners expressed their pleasure on hearing the foregoing and approved the demobilization of Capt. Chapin at the latest moment possible and his employment by the mission on the terms as stated above and as is usual in such cases.

II. The Commissioners approved the release of Mr. Mr. Fenstermacher so as to enable him to return to the United States as stated in Memorandum 555. Release of Mr. Fenstermacher

III. Memorandum 556 regarding the salary of Mr. Condon was read.

The Commissioners disapproved the request submitted in the memorandum. Salary of Mr. R. E. Condon

IV. The Secretary brought up the question of a salary for Mr. E. L. Dresel. The Commissioners approved the payment of a salary to Mr. Dresel, the amount to be fixed by Mr. Polk. Salary of Mr. E. L. Dresel

Meeting resumed at 3:30 p.m.

V. Mr. Dresel stated that it was necessary to keep in close touch with the work of the Organization Commission of the Commission on Reparations and recommended that a suitable person be assigned to him to act as his representative on the secretariat of the afore-mentioned commission. Mr. Dresel suggested the name of Lt. Moseley. Assistant to Mr. Dresel on the Secretariat of the Organization Commission of the Commission on Reparation

General Bliss questioned the desirability of apparitions pointing an American in such a capacity.

The Commissioners approved Mr. Dresel’s recommendation and requested him to examine further into the qualifications of Lt. Moseley for the duty in question.

VI. Mr. Dresel stated that a request had been received from the Secretary General for the appointment of two American representatives on the sub-committee of the Committee on Execution of the Treaty clauses. The sub-committee was to be charged with the duty of organizing the Territorial Commissions under the Treaty with Germany in conjunction with the Central Geographical Committee. Mr. Dresel questioned the desirability of appointing American representatives on this sub-committee and requested the Commissioners’ instructions. (See Memorandum No. 557.) American Representative on the Sub-committee of the Committee on the Execution of the Clauses of the Treaty With Germany

The Commissioners considered that it was improper for the United States to take part in the organization of Territorial Commissions under the Treaty and disapproved the appointment of the American representatives in question.

VII. The Commission heard Lt. Col. Dawley of the Field Mission to the Baltic provinces on the situation in Lithuania, Latvia and [Page 400] Esthonia. Colonel Dawley also explained at length his views regarding the actions which in his opinion should be taken to support the Esthonian Government and prevent the spread of Bolshevism. Hearing of Lt. Col. Dawley