Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, The Paris Peace Conference, 1919, Volume XI

Paris Peace Conf. 184.00101/43

Minutes of the Daily Meetings of the Commissioners Plenipotentiary, Tuesday, April 1st, 1919

April 1, 1919

• Present:
  • Mr. Lansing
  • Mr. White
  • General Bliss
  • Mr. Herter

1. General Bliss read a memorandum from General Nolan⁸³ in regard to the Dantzig situation, in which the latter stated that he had received from good authority the intimation that the German Government would have no objection to transporting General Haller’s Division by rail across Germany, provided the expenses of such transportation were deducted for the payment of food. It was pointed out that by this method General Haller’s Division could be sent to Poland within ten days, and that the whole Dantzig question would be settled. General Bliss also read a statement signed by Erzberger and Hammerstein in regard to the Dantzig situation.⁸⁴ All the Commissioners characterize this note as being in no way a refusal, but being a very reasonable presentation of the German case. Regarding Dantzig Situation

2. General Bliss read a telegram from General Kernan regarding the failure to reach a definite conclusion in respect to the Polish Ukrainian armistice. General Bliss felt that every effort should be made to get word to General Kernan to have him stay in Poland until this question was settled, rather than to return with Mr. Noulens, but that it was probably impossible to reach General Kernan before his departure. Polish Ukrainian Armistice

3. Mr. White stated that he had had a conversation last night with Mr. Briand, and that he had during that conversation tactfully led up to a possibility of a change of the Ministry of France. Mr. Briand stated that the Chamber of Deputies was extremely anxious to have this change, but that it was doubtful whether it would come at the present moment. Mr. White then insinuated that perhaps Mr. Briand would replace M. Clemenceau to which the former stated emphatically that nothing would induce him to try and form a new Ministry during the present Peace Conference since the present Ministry had made its bed and should now have to lie in it. Change of Ministry of France

4. General Bliss read a telegram from the Military Attaché at Archangel as well as a telegram from Consul-General Poole⁸⁵ in the same city with regard to the great discontent among the American troops, and the unconfirmed report that these troops were to be withdrawn as soon as the ice broke up. General Bliss stated that although the American Delegation was absolutely in favor of having these troops withdrawn, it had not yet been possible to get the President to induce the other Associated Governments to commit themselves on this point. General Bliss felt that it was absolutely necessary for us to state our policy together with the Associated Governments immediately. Condition in Archangel

5. Memorandum No. 198 was read with regard to the reported threat of Bolshevism in certain parts of Turkey. The Commissioners felt that it would be advisable to send to both the British and French Governments copies of the report which we had received in the premises, but that we should under no circumstances recommend to those Governments that any action should be taken. Threat of Bolshevism in Certain Parts of Turkey

6. Memorandum No. 199 was read in regard to Mr. Balfour’s reply to a note addressed to him by Mr. Lansing respecting the reported turning over of all Hungarian shipping on the Danube to the Czecho-Slovak Government. The Commissioners felt that there was no further action for them to take in the premises until a more complete report had been received from Mr. Balfour. Hungarian Shipping on the Danube

7. Memorandum No. 200 was read indicating the personnel from the British Mission which contemplated going on the proposed excursion to the devastated regions. The Commissioners felt that inasmuch as none of the British Commissioners were going, they would greatly prefer not to go themselves, and recommended that such individuals go to represent the American Mission as the Secretary General might approve. Excursion by Commission to Devastated Regions of France

8. A memorandum written by Mr. Manley O. Hudson to Mr. White was read and discussed by the Commissioners. They felt that in view of the present wording of the articles under consideration, and in view of the position of the Czecho-Slovaks vis-à-vis Germany, there was no valid objection to allowing these clauses to stand as they are. Position of Czecho-Slovakia vis-à-vis Germany

83. Brigadier General D. E. Nolan, Chief of Intelligence Service, A. E. F.
84. Apparently a reference to a note of March 28, 1919, from Herr Erzberger and General von Hammerstein on behalf of the German Armistice Commission to General Nudant, Chairman of the Permanent Interallied Armistice Commission.
85. See telegram No. 1012, March 31, 1919, 6 p.m., Foreign Relations, 1919, Russia, p. 623.