Edward M. House Papers: Telegram
Colonel E. M. House to President Wilson
[Paris,] February 23, 1919.
3. At his request I had a conference yesterday with Clemenceau.
- 1.
- He is anxious to speed up and make any [an?] early peace with Germany. He at last realizes the danger of delay.
- 2.
- He is insistent upon the creation of a Rhinish Republic. There will be about four million of Germans aggregated in this way. He desires that this Republic should be exempt from the payment of any indemnity; That they should have no armed force; that everything should be done to make them prosperous and contented so that they [Page 513] will not want to join the German Federation and if they have such a desire they will not be permitted to do so.
- 3.
- On the East Clemenceau thinks the Dantzig should go to Poland. Our experts also believe this to be the best solution and they are joined I understand in this belief by the British experts, but the British Government disagree on this point.
- 4.
- Clemenceau says that German-Austria will not join the German Federation if they received an intimation from the Allies that they do not wish them to do so. He is insistent that this intimation be given them.
- 5.
- He thinks the entire terms should be given at once and that the military terms should not be made now as at first planned. There was afterwards common agreement on this point at our meeting at the Quai d’Orsay.
- 6.
- He thought he would be able to attend meetings in a few days. I doubt it. I feel he is by no means out of danger.
- 7.
- I assume that you are getting full reports of the meetings at the Quai d’Orsay.
Edward House