Paris Peace Conf. 184.001101/17
Minutes of Meeting of the Steering Committee, July 29, 1919, at 2 p.m.
July 29, 1919, 2 p.m.
- Present:
- Dr. James Brown Scott
- Dr. Douglas Johnson
- Mr. J. F. Dulles
- Mr. A. W. Dulles (Secretary)
- 1.
- Dr. Scott inquired whether any further action could be taken to speed up work on the Bulgarian Treaty. He suggested certain formulae which might be employed to permit the completion of the Treaty without necessitating a final settlement of the Southern Frontier and the Frontier in Dobrudja. Dr. Johnson felt that as the matter was on the agenda of the Afternoon meeting of the Supreme Council it would be best for the Committee to await the result of that meeting before making any specific recommendations to the Commissioners.
- 2.
- Dr. Scott inquired whether the Treaties and Conventions with the New States could not be immediately completed. Mr. J. F. Dulles reported that the agreement with Italy regarding its share in the contribution to the general Austrian debt was being delayed because of a change in Italy’s attitude. He added that Colonel Peel, the British delegate on the Committee concerned, had requested that he be given time to discuss the matter personally with the Italian representatives in the hope of securing their final consent. Mr. Dulles deemed it wise that Colonel Peel be allowed a couple of days for these conversations but stated that if no further progress was made before the Thursday meeting of the Steering Committee he would bring the matter again to the attention of the Committee.
- 3.
- Dr. Scott reported that the Drafting Committee had already put into form approximately one-half of the Hungarian treaty. Mr. J. F. Dulles suggested that the Commissioners request the Supreme Council to instruct the various Committees dealing with Hungarian matters to immediately take up and finish their reports for the Hungarian Treaty. Mr. Dulles remarked that in case the Austrians were granted the additional delay for which they had asked, this period could be profitably employed in the preparation of the Hungarian Treaty.
- 4.
- Mr. J. F. Dulles reported that the Supreme Council had accepted the proposition that the Bulgarian Treaty should be submitted for comment to the Small States particularly interested, previous to being presented to the Bulgarians.
The meeting adjourned at 2:45 P.M.