Paris Peace Conf. 184.00101/160
Minutes of the Meeting of the Commissioners Plenipotentiary, October 7, 1919, 3:30 p.m.
- Present:
- Mr. Polk
- Mr. White
- General Bliss
- Mr. Harrison
I. The Commissioners discussed and approved a telegram to be sent by General Bliss to the Secretary of War with regard to the question referred by the Supreme Council to the Military Advisors at Versailles, relative to the furnishing of military supplies, ammunition and rolling stock by the United States, France, Great Britain and Italy to Poland. Supplies for Poland
II. Mr. Polk stated that he was more than satisfied that both the British and the French were doing everything possible to secure German trade. The main points of entry into Germany through the occupied territory were at Cologne and Mayence; also to a very much smaller extent, at Coblenz. In Mr. Polk’s opinion it was highly desirable that the United States should have a Consular Officer at Coblenz who should be assigned there as commercial advisor. He knew that such an appointment would be very acceptable to Major General Allen, commanding the American forces of occupation on the Rhine. Mr. Polk also thought it desirable that the United States should have an official in a smaller capacity at Cologne, and suggested the name of Mr. Coffin. Mr. Polk stated that he would telegraph to the State Department in this regard. Facilities for American Businessmen To Enter Germany
Mr. Polk stated further that he had spoken to General Allen with regard to the difficulties encountered by Americans proceeding to Germany through Cologne. General Allen had assured him that he would do everything possible to facilitate the entry of such Americans via Coblenz. In this connection Mr. Polk pointed out that our businessmen were at a considerable disadvantage as compared with the [Page 444] British and French in view of the fact that Coblenz was not one of the main arteries into Germany.
III. Mr. White stated that he had learned from a reliable source that the British had completed contracts with Germany to supply the latter with oil. Mr. Polk questioned the truth of this report in view of the recent decision of the Supreme Council that the German oil tankers now at Hamburg should be used for their first voyage, and if necessary for a second voyage, to carry oil from the United States to Germany. British Oil for Germany
IV. Mr. White stated that he had been informed by Mr. Bonsal, who had just returned from Germany, that in a conversation with Count Bernstorff,41 which took place in the Adlon Hotel in Berlin, Bernstorff had asked Bonsai to try and persuade the Conference not to send any more offensive notes. Bernstorff had claimed that the last note with regard to the withdrawal of the German forces in the Baltic Provinces had cost the German Government 200,000 votes. Effect of Recent Ultimatums of the Conference in Germany
V. Memorandum 580, on the subject of the release of Mr. Huguenin on duty with the Commission, and a memorandum submitted by him dated October 7 in this regard, was read. The Commissioners did not feel prepared to refuse Mr. Huguenin’s request in this regard should he thereby run the risk of losing his permanent position in New York City as Professor of French. On the other hand, the Commissioners did not consider it wise to leave the translator’s office with but one translator. They therefore directed that the Secretary General look into the matter, and should he find it necessary to release Mr. Huguenin, provision should be made to secure a suitable person to take his place. Release of Mr. C. W. Huguenin
VI. A memorandum from Mr. McNeir to the Commissioners reporting the return of Dr. Bowman, and his assignment to the Commission by direction of the Secretary of State, was read and noted by the Commissioners. Return of Dr. Bowman
VII. Memorandum 581 with regard to Bulgarian opposition to the cession of Tzaribrod to Serbia was read and noted by the Commissioners. Bulgarian Protest to the Cession of Tzaribrod
VIII. The Commissioners approved the request presented by Colonel Logan and submitted in Memorandum 582 with regard to the assignment of rooms in the Crillon and the granting of dining-room privileges to Mr. White and Miss Stacey, assistants to Colonel Logan. Assignment [Privileges?] for Clerical Assistance [Assistants?] to Col. Logan
It was understood that the salaries of Mr. White and Miss Stacey would be defrayed by Colonel Logan as heretofore.
IX. Mr. White called attention to a communication addressed by the Bessarabian delegates, Kroupensky and Ch. Schmidt, to the [Page 445] President of the Peace Conference under date of September 26, 1919, with regard to certain actions of the Roumanian Government in Bessarabia, in particular to the compulsory participation in the parliamentary elections of Roumania which will shortly be held. Mr. White proposed that this matter should be brought up in the Supreme Council; a suggestion in which the Commissioners concurred. Elections of Bessarabia
X. The permission of the Commissioners was requested for the assignment of an automobile to Messieurs Welsh and Harris and perhaps two others from the Commission, for a trip to Germany, as set forth in Memorandum No. 583. Request of Messieurs Welsh and Harris for Trip to Germany
The Commissioners were unable to grant the permission requested but authorized the assignment of a car to Messrs. Welsh and Harris for a two-days’ trip to the front on the understanding that at least three other members of the Commission would accompany them.
In this connection the Commissioners directed that Peace Commission cars should not be used for visits to German occupied territory, to Luxemburg, or to Belgium. Peace Commission cars, however, might be used for the purpose of visiting the front and places of principal interest, such as Verdun. These trips should preferably take place over Sundays as heretofore and should not exceed two days.
XI. The Commissioners saw no objection to granting the request submitted by General Bandholtz in his telegram No. 122 of October 5, 1919, for permission to visit Belgrade. It was desired, however, that the telegram in question should not be answered until after Sir George Clerk had been heard by the Supreme Council. Visit of General Bandholtz to Belgrade
- German Ambassador to the United States, 1908–1917.↩