763.72119P43/171a: Telegram

The Acting Secretary of State to the Commission to Negotiate Peace

326. For Grew from Phillips.5 It would be great help if you could see that Department is kept advised of all important matters relating to the Conference. At present we seem to receive very little [Page 489] official information. For instance the publication in this morning’s press of the rules for the Conference is first information we have on the subject, and to-day we have been obliged to answer various inquiries from Latin-American diplomats that we have no information as to the representation of their respective countries in the Conference.

The Department is now dispatching its pouch to the Mission on every available steamer, an average of at least once a week. On the other hand we have never received a pouch from the Mission although a few pieces of more or less personal mail is occasionally received through the War Department. Could not this be remedied?

Polk
  1. William Phillips, Assistant Secretary of State.