763.72119/6830: Telegram
The Ambassador in France (Wallace) to the Secretary of State
[Received September 20—3:33 a.m.]
1410. Strictly confidential for the President from Colonel House. I have been going over the situation here with Polk and find that, aside from pending business with which I have not been in touch, there are five principal problems:
1st. Italy, which depends so entirely upon your decision that it needs virtually no negotiation at this end.
2d. Roumania, which is being handled by the Supreme Council in conjunction with the Allied mission at Budapest.
3rd. The Hungarian treaty and recognition of a Hungarian Government. The treaty is ready and the only question is therefore one of when a responsible government is formed to receive the document.
4th. The Russian situation, which, in the opinions of all of us, is a matter which should be handled through the Foreign Offices since no decision is possible here with the Heads of Governments no longer sitting.
5th. The Turkish treaty. I have talked with George, who feels that nothing can be done with this until it is known whether the United States will take mandates. The others are of the same opinion; even after that is determined, a different and more technical delegation will be required. In our opinion it will not be necessary to keep more than one commissioner here to carry on negotiations, particularly since you have certain definite policies which can be laid down and there are few difficult boundary questions.
With regard to mandates types B and C, our good offices for the French reservations concerning black armies in Togoland and the Cameroons are quite finished. The French, as you know, though never opposing the principle of mandates over ex-Turkish territorial waters [territories?], think it inexpedient to draft any general type A mandate at this time, believing that each mandate of the A class will be radically different from the others and must depend upon the size and character of the territories as they shall be arranged by the Supreme Council. There is a certain logic in this and at all events the French will not yield the point. Therefore Lord Milner believes that no further action should be taken on mandates until the time of the Turkish treaty, which may not be until the turn of the year.
[Page 648]The British have let their plenipotentiaries go and have only Eyre Crowe here with the rank of an ambassador. The Italians, now that Tittoni is away, have Scialoja, a man of no particular distinction. The Japanese are represented by their Ambassador, so that, under the circumstances, the presence of four American Commissioners seems not only unnecessary but may lead to criticism in the United States.
Polk will report to the Department in a few days certain plans he has in mind for winding up the work of the Commission as soon as the Hungarian and the Bulgarian treaties are completed. Inasmuch as I shall doubtless be called eventually to testify before the Senate committee it seems advisable that I should give my testimony when it will be helpful. I am sailing between the 1st and 10th of October.
I have shown this to Polk, who agrees. Edward House.