Paris Peace Conf. 184.00101/51
Minutes of the Daily Meetings of the Commissioners Plenipotentiary, Wednesday, April 16th, 1919
April 16, 1919
- Present:
- Mr. Lansing
- Mr. White
- General Bliss
- Mr. Herter
- 1.
- Memorandum No. 224 was read recommending that an amount equivalent to about $1000.00 be granted to Mr. Dresel to defray the preliminary expenses of his contemplated mission to Berlin. The Commissioners approved of the allotment in question. Allotment for Mr. Dresel
- 2.
- Memorandum No. 225 was read in regard to the forwarding to Mr. Tschaikowski of the Archangel government, who is at present in Paris, of a message from Mr. Ignatieff, Minister of the Interior of the same government respecting the union of that government with the Omsk government. The Commissioners agreed that it would be unwise for American representatives to be used as a channel of communication between the two gentlemen in question, feeling that it would be better not to be associated so intimately at the present time with the policies of these two governments. Nevertheless, the Commissioners stated that they personally had no objection to the fusing of the two governments in question, but that they did not care to commit themselves officially in [Page 154] this matter as such a commitment might be interpreted as indicating a strong desire on their part for such a union. Regarding Union Archangel and Omsk Governments
- 2 [sic].
- Memorandum No. 226 was read in which inquiry was made as to whether the Commissioners desired that the Mission should pay the transportation expenses of the remains of Mr. Frary, a member of the Mission, who died on April 6th, as well as the other expenses incident to Mr. Frary’s death. The Commissioners agreed that the Mission should certainly pay all the expenses in this connection which were possible under the law. Regarding Remains of Mr. Frary
- 3.
- Memorandum No. 227 was read with regard to a decision which had recently be[en] arrived at by the representatives of the armies of the Associated Governments at Spa respecting the repatriation of Russian prisoners from Germany. The Commissioners noted with interest the information contained in this memorandum, and agreed that it would be unnecessary for them to take any further action in the premises. Repatriation of Russian Prisoners
- 4.
- Memorandum No. 228 was read giving the substance of a telegram to the Department of State from the American Consul at Vladivostok respecting an appeal by the Danish Red Cross for supplies and food for prisoners of war in Siberia. The Commissioners agreed that inasmuch as there were no funds available at the present time to assist the Danish Red Cross in its undertaking, it would be better for the Government to take no part whatever in this matter. They are unable to understand, however, why the American Red Cross was not in a position to assist to the extent of one third of the $180,000 required, in view of the numerous sums which it had had at its disposal. Appeal of Danish Red Cross