Office of the Historian

Paris Peace Conf. 184.00101/64

Minutes of the Daily Meetings of the Commissioners Plenipotentiary, Monday, May 5, 1919

May 5, 1919
  • Present:
    • Mr. Lansing
    • Mr. White
    • General Bliss
    • Mr. Herter
1.
Memorandum No. 261 was read with regard to the designation of Mr. J. T. Shotwell to attend the meetings of the Organization Commission “Commission for International Labor Legislation” in London on May 6th. The Commissioners agreed that it would be well to have the United States represented by Mr. Shotwell, but felt that no credentials could be given him by the Government because of the fact that the report of the Labor Commission which provided for the Organization Commission had not yet been ratified by the Senate. It was therefore decided that Mr. Shotwell should merely be given credentials from the Mission indicating that he was entitled to represent the United States in a provisory capacity pending the possible ratification of the labor report at a future date. American Representative, Commission for International Labor Legislation
2.
Memorandum No. 262 was read inquiring whether the Commissioners desired that Admiral Bristol take over temporarily the duties which Mr. Heck had been performing in Turkey until such time as an American Commissioner be appointed to Constantinople. The Commissioners agreed that it would be well to have Admiral Bristol designated as Chief Political Officer of the United States in Constantinople temporarily, and that Admiral Benson be requested to send the necessary instructions to Admiral Bristol. American Representative in Constantinople
3.
Mr. Herter read a memorandum prepared in Mr. White’s office suggesting that Ambassador Page at Rome be furnished with the daily editorials of American newspapers regarding the Italian situation as compiled by the Committee on Public Information. The Commissioners agreed that it would be highly advisable for Ambassador Page to receive this news regularly, both for his own guidance, and in order, if possible, to offset the numerous references in the Italian Press to particular quotations coming from only such papers as The Sun and Tribune. Editorials for Ambassador Page
4.
The Commissioners request information as to whether or not the Aeronautical Commission referred to is in any way directly connected [Page 175] with the Peace Mission. Admiral Benson’s letter states that the naval officers whose cases he is submitting were ordered to Paris specifically for duty with the Peace Commission. The Commissioners felt that if this was not the case no exception could be made on behalf of the naval officers in question as it would be unfair to many other naval and military officers who have not been receiving the regular subsistence allowance. Subsistence for Naval Officers