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

Paris Peace Conf. 184.00101/65

Minutes of the Daily Meetings of the Commissioners Plenipotentiary, Wednesday, May 7th, 1919

May 7, 1919

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

1. General Bliss read a memorandum from Prof. Jefferson to Colonel Grant as well as the draft of a letter to General Langfitt, regarding the assignment of some officer of the Engineer Corps to the Geographical Committee of the Peace Conference. The Commissioners knew absolutely nothing about this Committee, nor about Prof. Jefferson’s appointment or assignment to it. They therefore request that they be given a copy of Prof. Jefferson’s credentials appointing him to this Committee, as well as a short statement of the work already performed by it. Mr. Lansing is particularly anxious for this information because Prof. Jefferson is a State Department employee and appears to have been conducting business on the Committee in question without Mr. Lansing’s knowledge.⁹¹ Assignment of Engineer Officer to Commission

2. Memorandum No. 263 was read inquiring whether the Commissioners desired to authorize the payment of salaries to Dr. Kernan, Dr. Lord and Dr. Young to July 1st, and of Dr. Bowman until June 1st. The Commissioners agreed that the salaries of these gentlemen should be paid until the dates indicated. At the same time they expressed regret on seeing that Dr. Bowman intended to leave Paris on May 15th, and General Bliss offered on behalf of the Commissioners to speak to Dr. Bowman and ascertain whether it would not be possible for him to remain longer. Salaries of Drs. Kernan, Lord and Young—Dr. Bowman

3. Memorandum No. 264 was read regarding the use of funds at the disposition of the President to enable the American Red Cross to assist in the relief of prisoners of war in Siberia. The Commissioners felt that it would be more advisable for the United States not to take any action in this matter but decided before taking final action, to ascertain from Mr. MeNeir whether it would be possible for the President to use the funds at his disposal for the purposes indicated. Funds at the Disposal of the President

4. Memorandum No. 265 was read quoting a certain statement made by Admiral Benson in regard to the attitude which Admiral Andrews had assumed respecting the jurisdiction of the Serbian Government at Belgrade over the so-called American zone in Dalmatia. The Commissioners agreed with Admiral Benson that Admiral Andrews had acted quite correctly in the premises, and that the zone in question could not come under the jurisdiction of the Belgrade Government. Jurisdiction of Serbian Gov’t at Belgrade

5. At the meeting of the Commissioners on May 6th, it was decided that only the following gentlemen should be allowed to attend the Plenary Session of the Peace Conference on that day:

• Mr. Grew Men Permitted To Attend Conference
• Mr. Harrison
• Mr. Grant
• Mr. Patchin
• Mr. Miller
• Mr. Scott

This list is definite, and the Commissioners do not desire any individual whose name does not appear on this list to attempt to attend the Conference.

6. A memorandum from Admiral Benson was read quoting a despatch received from the Naval Attaché at Madrid indicating that the King of Spain was relying for his support on the Conservatives rather than the more liberal party.

91. Prof. Jefferson’s position on the Commission was later regularized by a letter of appointment signed by Secretary Lansing and predated to April 14, 1919.